Week 10: Kings Canyon - Vermillion Valley Resort
- scarlson51
- Jul 7
- 4 min read
Approximately Mile 785 through Mile 865
Sunday, June 22nd - PCT Day 57
Very beautiful but cold this morning, high 20s. The frost sparkling with sunshine on the wildflowers and deep green grass was very nice. Saw three deer while walking along Bubbs Creek – two bucks with velvety horns and a doe. Steep climb out of Kings Canyon but pretty views up and down the canyon as I ascended. Did a climbing traverse above the North bank of Charlotte Lake. Went up a very pretty cirque, the granite walls polished so smooth in some places that they shone like a polished countertop. Did a very steep climb up into the hanging valley that hosts Glen Pass on its back. The pass was not a beautiful example of dry stone construction, the ground was loose and the switchbacks were rather degraded. The view from the pass however, made the unpleasant climb very worth it. The northern side of the pass opened up into an enormous valley – snowy and frozen high up, and amazing turquoise blue lower down. Wore microspikes and carried ice axe for the initial descent through a snow field; uneventful. After descending off the headwall at the valley I skirted Rae Lakes. Absolutely beautiful deep blue water with an almost tropical turquoise in the shallows. Passed by Arrowhead Lake and Dollar Lake—both as beautiful as Rae Lakes. Walked down along the South Fork of Woods Creek, flush with wildflowers. Camped where the canyon bends west among some enormous pines, ~8 feet at the base. Shoulder is sore but not too bad. Goodnight.
Monday, June 23rd - PCT Day 58
Today started with a long walk up along Woods Creek which was rushing with meltwater. I must have passed a dozen cascading waterfalls. Walked up to Pinchot Pass with grey clouds looming overhead and the occasional drop of hail. Luckily, no lightning however.The summit at the pass was beautiful as always, also a relatively easy climb up; no stonewalling required. Stomach started to cramp as I descended past Lake Marjorie and neared other small alpine lakes. Decided to call it a day early due to stomach and shoulder ~12 miles total. Goodnight.
Tuesday, June 24th - PCT Day 59
Frosty this morning but very pretty along the creek up to Mather Pass. This was the easiest pass so far – nice approach and easy ascent. The view from the top was fantastic, blue and turquoise lakes to my north and south, a thousand or so feet below. The descent was rather sketchy though. Trail was buried in snow and the boot track down was clearly started by someone who likes to rock climb, as there were a few places where needed both hands. Took a swim in Palisade Lake and washed my shirt, very nice. Very steep descent into the Palisade Creek Canyon, very pretty view through looking straight down the massive U-shaped valley. Wildflowers were everywhere as I walked down the valley through avalanche scars. Pine groves, patches of slide poplar, and thickets of full-grown poplar trees. Feeling good pretty much all day but definitely got tired in the last few miles. Nice camp where the middle fork Kings River meets Palisade Creek. Goodnight.
Wednesday, June 25th - PCT Day 60
Very nice walk this morning up the Middle Fork Kings River through forests and meadows. The river sometimes placidly flowing along in its wide channel, sometimes raging down smooth granite cliffs. Walked with Katie, also from Washington (near Vancouver) this morning for an hour or so. Nice to chat and walk with someone, haven’t done that in over a month. The climb up to Muir Pass was very pretty with many lakes and streams among large snow fields. The Muir shelter was also very cool, built in the style of the Afrikaans in South Africa. The descent from Muir was very easy, pretty much just a gentle slope w/ snowfields. Passed by Lake McDermand, Wanda Lake, Sapphire Lake, and finally Evolution Lake. There were however dozens more smaller lakes without names. The water went from brilliant turquoise to deep cobalt blue when the clouds overhead happened to drift across the sun. Did 18.4 miles today w/ ~4,000 feet of gain. Camping next to a triple waterfall which is pretty awesome, also have a great mountain view from my tent. Took a bath in the waterfalls, feeling very clean. Ready for dinner, goodnight.
Thursday, June 26th - PCT Day 61
Had a great 12 mile downhill this morning along Evolution Creek. Saw two deer in the dew-laden meadows, descended down past waterfalls that had rainbows cast in their spray by the morning sun. Reached the South Fork of the San Joaquin River and continued to go down along its banks. The river itself was rushing with snow melt. Got to the Muir Trail Ranch trailhead around 12:30, had a break in the shade. After that I did a steep and very hot climb of ~2,200 feet in 4.5 miles. The mosquitoes are out in force this evening so I’m staying in my tent. Vermilion Valley Resort tomorrow! Goodnight.
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