Woohoooo!!

Kennedy Meadows is a little Inyokern outpost on the PCT. It seems purpose-built as a hiker heaven. There is a place to pick up resupplies, get a meal, wash clothes, catch up with other hikers, and even buy equipment. For us, and most other hikers, it is the last resupply point before heading up into the Sierras. If anyone has a question about trail conditions, the weather, or “have you seen…?” – the people who work there seem to have the information you’re looking for (or point you to the right person). Nearly everyone goes by their trail names here, and it was kind of cool to walk into Grumpy Bear’s Retreat and hear several people call out “Hey – it’s King Magnus!”

Grumpy Bear’s is a few miles from the trail, and trail angels come by to take hikers into town. Kennedy Meadows is a very small place, and some trail angels come from miles away to help out with the ferrying. We couldn’t believe our eyes and our luck when none other than *Ghost* from Julian picked us up! It was really good to see his friendly face again, so unexpectedly, and tell him just a bit of our adventure. Thanks again, Ghost!

There had been a number of hikers turn back and skip Section F because of the water issue, getting rides up to Kennedy Meadows from Tehachapi. Dad and I had decided to push on, and we got a little bit of a hero’s reward at Grumpy Bear’s with just the biggest pancake I’ve ever seen! Huge!

Our resupply box at Kennedy Meadows included warmer gear for the higher elevations coming. I loved Kennedy Meadows, but I can’t wait to head out into the Sierras!

Read next post…