The price of admissionJun 08 2017

Forester Pass

Jun092017
Map thumbnail of location

Today was another 3:00am alarm for a 4:00am hike. However, today wasn't any other day. Not only did we camp at 12,500 feet, but it was Forester Friday!

At 13,200 feet, Forester Pass is the highest point on the PCT, and we wanted to be there for sunrise.

Monk and Peanut climbing the face by moonlightMonk and Peanut climbing the face by moonlight
Monk and Peanut approaching the switchbacksMonk and Peanut approaching the switchbacks
Peanut traversing the chute just below the cornice. Don't slip here!Peanut traversing the chute just below the cornice. Don't slip here!
Monk traversingMonk traversing
We made it for the sunrise!We made it for the sunrise!

Forester Pass is the border between Sequoia and King's Canyon national parks, which are some of the most beautiful parks in the trail, and reportedly the country. So sitting on the divider for sunrise was incredible.

Peanut looks into King's Canyon before we descendPeanut looks into King's Canyon before we descend

After the pass, it was a 9-mile hike down and back up Kearsarge Pass, so that we could exit and go into town for more food. (This was desperately needed -- we were all down to scraps)

Kearsarge Pass was absolutely miserable because it is a 7.5-mile climb from 9,500 feet up to almost 12,000 feet, then back down to like 7,500 feet, and we didn't get there until 11:00am, so it was slush the entire way.

In fact, I was in such a foul mood that this is the only picture I took during this slog.

The top of Kearsarge PassThe top of Kearsarge Pass

But I ultimately made it to the trailhead at 2:45pm and hitched the 13 miles into Independence -- when did summer in the desert get so hot?!

I was able to pick up a package from the post office before they closed and now it's off to get Mexican food before resupplying tomorrow!

Zero #5: BishopJun 10 2017