Successfully avoiding being sucked into the vortex of Kennedy Meadows, I headed out early into the high Sierra Nevada mountains. A PCTA representative checked and stamped my permit, and even remembered Ogre from the Southern Terminus, despite our being there eons ago (or so it feels).
The weather was perfect – cool when hiking, but a little chilly in the shade. And water was plentiful! The trail alternatively passed through towering forests and vast open meadows.
I ended my day at a bridged crossing of the Kern River at Monache Meadow. Dozens of swallows were nesting underneath, and it was entrancing to watch them come and go. Ollie & Bianca joined me at the river, and Ollie discovered some beautiful tent sites overlooking the meadow.
When we awoke in the morning, it was to find that over 20 other hikers had also camped there some time in the night! We are seeing more and more hikers every day, but hopefully they will pass us and pack down the snow a little!
