PCT SECTION HIKE | DAY 1 Sonora Pass to Kennedy Canyon Creek
Miles Hiked: 11 miles
Elevation: 2007 ft ascent | 2576 ft descent
It was a slightly rough start to a long journey. On Sunday (yesterday) I was at sea level and today, with little acclimatization, I am at Sonora Pass (9,624ft). I will be hiking well above 10,000ft for most of the day. Out of shape and overweight—the perfect combination for a thru-hike, right?
On the plus side, I know most of the trail once I get to Tuolumne Meadows. It will be my third time hiking from Tuolumne to Red’s Meadow. I know what to expect elevation gain wise. These first 70 miles are new. While there is traffic on the trail, it is mostly PCT hikers headed into Kennedy Meadows North. I’m looking forward to getting into Yosemite and seeing more southbounders that will be hiking the same route.
The trail started out green, with lots of flowers and a number of small streams crossing the trail. That 1,300ft gain coming out of Sonora Pass felt never ending at times. The trail continues along the mountain top for approximately six miles, mostly flat with a few small ups and downs, moving around Leavitt Lake. After the first couple miles, it became dry until camp, aside from one trickling stream from snowmelt above Leavitt Lake that won’t last much longer than the next few days.
Then came the down for 2,300ft into Kennedy Canyon. . Long switchbacks until reaching the junction for Emigrant Pass, then a gradual decline until Kennedy Creek. More PCT hikers. Filling up for the last time at the two remaining streams near Kennedy Creek. Once they reach Sonora Pass and Kennedy Meadows they are able to send home their bear cans. My original plan was to stay near the Emigrant Pass junction, but the lack of snow this year meant no water. I ended up pushing for another mile or so to reach Kennedy Creek, where there were other hikers and multiple campsites. Turns out, I found at least two others to camp near as well.
Sarah was hiking from Tuolumne Meadows to the Mount Shasta area and Dan was hiking from the Tahoe area to Tuolumne Meadows. We each had our tents set up on different sides of the streams (the sites were located at a fork in the creek). Your could fit close to a dozen tents in the area.
