Pacific Crest Trail: Best Month – High Sierra, CA
Every hiker's life list should include the 270 miles between Mt. Whitney and Sonora Pass. It may take a month, but it's a trivial sacrifice to make for the most unrelenting wilderness eye-candy you'll ever feast on.
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Some things are so inevitable there’s no sense disputing them: death, taxes, and the unrivaled beauty of the Sierra. Following the John Muir Trail much of the way, the PCT rambles through dozens of scenes suitable for framing—13,000—and 14,000-foot granite skyscrapers, canyons a mile deep, and thousands of lakes in beds of polished rock. You’ll walk the longest strip of roadless trail in the nation and bump into civilization just twice. The best campsite is…virtually anywhere, though an enduringly classic spot to pitch nylon is Vidette Meadow, below the soaring Kearsarge Pinnacles. If you absolutely can’t spare more than a week, knock off the 76 miles from Tuolumne Meadows to Sonora Pass; here, the PCT ventures beyond the popular JMT into remote northern Yosemite and the Emigrant Wilderness. And leave your umbrella at home: The Sierra in summer is reliably sunny and mild.
LOCAL WISDOM Flatlanders should hike this stretch north to south to acclimatize before reaching the higher elevations of Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks.
-Mike Lanza
Trail Facts
- Distance: 387.8
Waypoints
PCT430
Location: 36.587287902832, -118.238288879395
From Whitney Portal, head W on Mt. Whitney Trail to Trail Crest.
PCT431
Location: 36.5613250732422, -118.292762756348
Trail Crest; drop packs and head along crumbling spine of scree past Mt. Muir
PCT432
Location: 36.5786170959473, -118.291984558105
Summit Mt. Whitney, highest point in lower 48; enjoy views of the Great Western Divide, the central Sierras, and the Owens Valley below
PCT433
Location: 36.5733489990234, -118.314651489258
Campsite by stunning Guitar Lake; great basecamp for Whitney attempt. Even if you decide not to summit, enjoy camping in this high-alpine cirque
PCT434
Location: 36.5636177062988, -118.349433898926
Crabtree Ranger Station and bear box; John Muir Trail to Mt. Whitney across creek
PCT435
Location: 36.5588493347168, -118.361869812012
Rejoin PCT/JMT; from here to Red’s Meadow, the PCT and JMT are the same trail. Follow all JMT signs until Devils Postpile NM.
PCT436
Location: 36.5941314697266, -118.371116638184
Wallace Creek and High Sierra Trail junction and bear box
PCT437
Location: 36.5989151000977, -118.374153137207
Wright Creek
PCT438
Location: 36.6201438903809, -118.380638122559
Bighorn Plateau
PCT439
Location: 36.6350173950195, -118.385467529297
Bear box
PCT440
Location: 36.6397171020508, -118.388046264648
Spur to Tyndall Creek Ranger Station
PCT441
Location: 36.6409339904785, -118.387397766113
Shepard Pass trail
PCT442
Location: 36.6421318054199, -118.387413024902
Tyndall Creek
PCT443
Location: 36.6430015563965, -118.387451171875
Bear box
PCT444
Location: 36.6450500488281, -118.388130187988
Lake South America trail
PCT445
Location: 36.6945343017578, -118.37353515625
Forester Pass: highest point on PCT and entrace into Kings Canyon NP
PCT446
Location: 36.7309150695801, -118.372833251953
Center Basin Creek
PCT447
Location: 36.7515182495117, -118.395286560059
Bear box
PCT448
Location: 36.7593002319336, -118.405830383301
Vidette Meadow campsite and bear box
PCT449
Location: 36.7602157592773, -118.407165527344
Camp in Lower Vidette Meadows
PCT450
Location: 36.7602996826172, -118.412101745605
Bubbs Creek/PCT Junction; head uphill
PCT451
Location: 36.76806640625, -118.411415100098
Bullfrog Lake Trail junction. Not the PCT, but spur trail to Independence for a necessary resupply
PCT452
Location: 36.773681640625, -118.381713867188
Kearsage Pass Tral Junction
PCT453
Location: 36.7731323242188, -118.376564025879
Kearsage Pass, leaving Kings Canyon NP into Inyo National Forest to Onion Valley
PCT454
Location: 36.7752685546875, -118.343200683594
Golden Trout Lakes Junction
PCT455
Location: 36.772533416748, -118.341201782227
Onion Valley Trailhead
PCT456
Location: 36.77294921875, -118.413650512695
Trail junction
PCT457
Location: 36.7732849121094, -118.41756439209
Resume PCT
PCT458
Location: 36.7896156311035, -118.412101745605
Glen Pass
PCT459
Location: 36.801815032959, -118.403198242188
Rae Lakes, Sixty Lakes Basin trail junction
PCT460
Location: 36.806583404541, -118.398048400879
Bear box
PCT461
Location: 36.8112182617188, -118.400650024414
Spur to Rae Lakes Ranger Station
PCT462
Location: 36.8146324157715, -118.404998779297
Bear box @ Lower Rae Lakes and good camping
PCT463
Location: 36.8344993591309, -118.40811920166
Spur to Baxter Pass
PCT464
Location: 36.8498001098633, -118.41242980957
Crossing at South Fork Woods Creek
PCT465
Location: 36.8734321594238, -118.436965942383
Wooden suspension bridge over Woods Creek and bear locker
PCT466
Location: 36.9025497436523, -118.400550842285
Sawmill Pass trail junction
PCT467
Location: 36.9362182617188, -118.412483215332
Pinchot Pass
PCT468
Location: 36.9694328308106, -118.44116973877
High water log crossing at South Fork Kings River
PCT469
Location: 37.0317153930664, -118.460098266602
Mather Pass
PCT470
Location: 37.054500579834, -118.514701843262
Deer Meadow campsite
PCT471
Location: 37.0526466369629, -118.578674316406
Middle Fork Kings River Junction; follow signs for JMT N into LeConte Canyon
PCT472
Location: 37.1106147766113, -118.60489654541
Campsite at Big Pete Meadow
PCT473
Location: 37.1132507324219, -118.633163452148
Helen Lake Outlet, climb continues
PCT474
Location: 37.1186676025391, -118.659866333008
Muir Hut on Muir Pass
PCT475
Location: 37.1119842529297, -118.670913696289
Crossing at Evolution Lake inlet
PCT476
Location: 37.1878547668457, -118.745513916016
Nice, flat camp on Mc Clure Meadow with sublime views of The Hermit and Evolution Peaks
PCT477
Location: 37.1949996948242, -118.773170471191
Old PCT junction @ Evolution Creek; high-water crossing can be swift
PCT478
Location: 37.1954650878906, -118.781669616699
Rejoin new PCT @ crossing of Evolution Creek
PCT479
Location: 37.1930160522461, -118.794967651367
Bridge over South Fork San Joaquin River and Goddard Canyon trail junction
PCT480
Location: 37.2029647827148, -118.800537109375
Cross metal bridge
PCT481
Location: 37.2252502441406, -118.832748413086
Bridge, leaving Kings Canyon NP into Sierra National Forest
PCT482
Location: 37.2258987426758, -118.860786437988
Florence Lake trail junction
PCT483
Location: 37.2420997619629, -118.871696472168
Spur to Florence Lake trail and Muir Trail Ranch
PCT484
Location: 37.2535514831543, -118.864646911621
Senger Creek
PCT485
Location: 37.270133972168, -118.87654876709
Outlet of eastern of Sally Keyes Lakes
PCT486
Location: 37.2809181213379, -118.874649047852
Outlet of Heart Lake
PCT487
Location: 37.2899169921875, -118.872802734375
Selden Pass
PCT488
Location: 37.3218841552734, -118.868286132812
Leaving PCT to cross Bear Creek at three forks section; use caution at dangerous ford
PCT489
Location: 37.3301658630371, -118.866882324219
Return to PCT at normal crossing of Bear Creek
PCT490
Location: 37.3680000305176, -118.888153076172
PCT leaves Bear Creek to climb ridge
PCT491
Location: 37.3825340270996, -118.910369873047
Trail to Bear Ridge trailhead and foot access to Vermillion Valley Resort
PCT492
Location: 37.4125175476074, -118.924369812012
Leaving PCT for ferry across Edison Lake to Vermillion Valley Ranch at this junction
PCT493
Location: 37.405216217041, -118.942367553711
Ferry landing
PCT494
Location: 37.3757019042969, -119.012451171875
Vermillion Valley Resort (http://www.edisonlake.com) first beer and one-night stay in platform tents free for thru-hikers; meals in diner are pricey, but filling
PCT495
Location: 37.4701652526856, -118.923233032227
Silver Pass
PCT496
Location: 37.5013008117676, -118.924835205078
Bridge over Fish Creek
PCT497
Location: 37.5273170471191, -118.94913482666
Outlet of Purple Lake; no camping allowed
PCT498
Location: 37.5393180847168, -118.970970153809
Creek
PCT499
Location: 37.5634651184082, -119.033714294434
Deer Creek; campsites
PCT500
Location: 37.5911483764648, -119.058486938477
Creek below Red Cones and Mammoth Pass Trail
PCT501
Location: 37.6099166870117, -119.075347900391
Rainbow Falls trail
PCT502
Location: 37.6150016784668, -119.074851989746
Red’s Meadow Resort: great diner and moderately stocked store; thermal showers at group campsites; shuttles run to Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and town bus runs into Mammoth town
PCT503
Location: 37.6270179748535, -119.085548400879
Bridge near Devils Postpile
PCT504
Location: 37.6328010559082, -119.088653564453
Resume PCT @ split with JMT
PCT505
Location: 37.6531677246094, -119.080032348633
Bridge over Middle Fork San Joaquin River
PCT506
Location: 37.6824493408203, -119.097518920898
Another trail to Shadow Lake
PCT507
Location: 37.6819839477539, -119.086334228516
Agnew Meadow parking lot
PCT508
Location: 37.6828002929688, -119.084617614746
High trail trailhead
PCT509
Location: 37.7232666015625, -119.132484436035
Great camping with view of the Minarets, Banner Peak and Mount Ritter — the centerpiece summits of the grand Ritter Range
PCT510
Location: 37.7253494262695, -119.134414672852
Trail to Clarke Lake
PCT511
Location: 37.7285346984863, -119.171279907227
JMT and PCT merge @ Thousand Island Lake
PCT512
Location: 37.761833190918, -119.249366760254
Donohue Pass trail; enter Yosemite National Park
PCT513
Location: 37.777416229248, -119.261833190918
Bridge over Lyell Fork
PCT514
Location: 37.7943000793457, -119.263000488281
Campsite in grass just off trail along Lyell Fork
PCT515
Location: 37.8667488098144, -119.322151184082
Bridge and trail junction to Tuolumne Pass
PCT516
Location: 37.8687171936035, -119.333068847656
Spur to campground and store; not official PCT
PCT517
Location: 37.8778076171875, -119.338722229004
Nearing Tioga Road; Lembert Dome to N
PCT518
Location: 37.8742980957031, -119.35710144043
Tuolumne Meadows General Store–fully stocked and package service @ US Post Office; backpackers campsite nearby S of road
PCT519
Location: 37.8769798278809, -119.353065490723
Turn L @ parking lot and follow the gravel road
PCT520
Location: 37.8791007995606, -119.366851806641
PCT trailhead sign; here the JMT goes S to Yosemite Valley and the PCT heads to Glen Aulin High Sierra camp. Enjoy the views of Tuolumne Meadows framed by the Cathedral Range while heading northbound
PCT524
Location: 37.8851089477539, -119.377288818359
Cross Delaney Creek
PCT525
Location: 37.8884162902832, -119.380668640137
Go L @ Young Lakes trail
PCT526
Location: 37.9015007019043, -119.412452697754
Multi-section bridge over the roaring Tuolumne River
PCT527
Location: 37.9064178466797, -119.418251037598
See the rushing cascades of Tuolumne Falls from here
PCT528
Location: 37.907901763916, -119.420700073242
Go R @ McGee Lake trail junction
PCT529
Location: 37.9090995788574, -119.420249938965
Bridge below White Cascade
PCT530
Location: 37.9095840454102, -119.419853210449
Bridge going R to Glen Aulin High Sierra camp (don’t cross it)
PCT531
Location: 37.9535484313965, -119.405700683594
The trail welcomes you into a large meadow in Cold Canyon; in early season mosquitoes can be horrible
PCT532
Location: 37.9958152770996, -119.378799438477
Go L @ McCabe Lake trail
PCT533
Location: 38.0049324035644, -119.377479553223
Virginia Canyon creek
PCT536
Location: 38.0049171447754, -119.377449035645
Virginia Canyon creek; can be a dangerous ford
PCT537
Location: 38.0065498352051, -119.376731872559
Virginia Canyon trail; go straight, bearing W
PCT538
Location: 38.0069007873535, -119.390502929688
Cross Spiller Creek
PCT539
Location: 37.9939994812012, -119.418434143066
N end of Miller Lake
PCT540
Location: 38.014949798584, -119.413032531738
Go L @ Matterhorn Canyon trail
PCT541
Location: 38.0140991210938, -119.414520263672
Matterhorn Creek
PCT542
Location: 38.0198173522949, -119.448280334473
Last ford of Wilson Creek; head up to Benson Pass on well-graded path for fairly easy climb
PCT543
Location: 38.0151481628418, -119.461196899414
Benson Pass
PCT544
Location: 38.0121650695801, -119.486618041992
Smedberg Lake
PCT545
Location: 38.0061340332031, -119.493103027344
R @ junction to Rodgers Lake
PCT546
Location: 38.0057983398438, -119.497314453125
R @ Pleasant Valley trail junction
PCT547
Location: 38.0228958129883, -119.52001953125
Cross Piute Creek with Benson Lake Spur trail going L; Piute Creek can be a deep, wet ford in the spring and early summer even though the current is minimal in this wide river. A visit to the “Benson Riviera,” a large sandy beach on Benson Lake’s N shore is well worth the detour, but the bugs can be bad in this wet, heavily vegetated area.
PIC; roll 112; 1283; A hiker hoists her pack above her head crossing Piute Creek
PCT548
Location: 38.0391502380371, -119.526863098145
Beautiful sparkling pond nestled amongst granite, which should not be passed quickly. It’s well protected from the wind, fairly warm and has great diving rocks. Be sure to camp 100 ft. from shore; no fires
PCT549
Location: 38.0449485778809, -119.522285461426
Seavey Pass
PCT550
Location: 38.044750213623, -119.572463989258
Go R @ Kerrick Creek and Bear Valley Trail Junction; Kerrick Creek can be a very dangerous ford.
PCT551
Location: 38.0592651367188, -119.59008026123
Stubblefield Creek
PCT552
Location: 38.0629005432129, -119.624382019043
Go R @ Tiltill Valley trail
PCT553
Location: 38.0641670227051, -119.623718261719
L @ Tilden Lake trail
PCT554
Location: 38.0692176818848, -119.63990020752
S end Wilman Lake
PCT555
Location: 38.0734672546387, -119.645896911621
Falls Canyon Creek crossing; can be dangerous
PCT556
Location: 38.0738487243652, -119.646499633789
Straight @ Laurel Lake junction
PCT557
Location: 38.0877990722656, -119.634002685547
Straight @ Tilden Lake junction
PCT558
Location: 38.1337013244629, -119.619529724121
S end of long and beautiful Grace Meadow
PCT559
Location: 38.1698150634766, -119.601547241211
Straight @ Bond Pass trail
PCT560
Location: 38.1760330200195, -119.59407043457
Dorothy Lake; exposed camping can be found away from the lake
PCT561
Location: 38.1947326660156, -119.570846557617
Cross Cascade Creek and reach the 1,000 mile mark from Mexican Border. This area can be very buggy.
PCT562
Location: 38.1999168395996, -119.568634033203
L @ Y with Walker River trail
PCT563
Location: 38.223934173584, -119.578567504883
Straight @ Cinko River trail
PCT564
Location: 38.2257499694824, -119.576736450195
L @ Long Lake trail and bridge
PCT565
Location: 38.2533149719238, -119.597869873047
Cross creek in Kennedy Canyon
PCT567
Location: 38.294017791748, -119.637153625488
Cross through a notch on E ridge of Leavitt Peak
PCT568
Location: 38.3202590942383, -119.643531799316
Potentially dangerous slope if covered in snow
PCT569
Location: 38.3278350830078, -119.637229919434
Cross CA 108 @ Sonora Pass; turnout and sign explaining history of passes in area. Campground a few hundred feet W; hitch W to the northern Kennedy Meadows Resort for food and relaxation or hitch E down to Bridgeport for a town with more services
The Big Hill
Location: 36.5658912658691, -118.349266052246
Postcard views of Mount Whitney’s helmet-shaped crest from the west. ©Jack Haskel
Crossing Whitney Creek
Location: 36.5622253417969, -118.350608825684
A PCT’er negotiates a creek crossing while a fellow hiker balances the log. ©Jack Haskel
Mount Hitchcock Reflection
Location: 36.5673141479492, -118.304595947266
This ridge frames the south end of the Whitney Basin. ©Jack Haskel
Climbing to Trail Crest
Location: 36.5612297058106, -118.298599243164
Still in the shadow of early day, a PCT’er climbs to the turnoff for Mount Whitney. ©Jack Haskel
Summit Push
Location: 36.5758171081543, -118.293853759766
A PCT’er climbs along the block-filled route to Whitney’s summit. ©Jack Haskel
Along the Sierra Crest
Location: 36.5727653503418, -118.289733886719
This view over Mount Muir and the tilted ridge south of Whitney reveals a snowy landscape stretching to the Great Western Divide. ©Jack Haskel
Whitney Hut
Location: 36.5794830322266, -118.29224395752
The Mount Whitney Hut and was built in 1909 as a station for meteorological observations and is now a National Historic Landmark. The metal roof of this hut attracts lightning which can be conducted through the building to individuals inside. Do not seek shelter here during a storm. It is unsafe to be anywhere on top of the mountain or any exposed high place during a thunderstorm.©Jack Haskel
Jack at the register
Location: 36.5791282653809, -118.290725708008
Map contributor Jack Haskel stands next to the Whitney Hut with the Kaweah Peaks in the background. ©Jack Haskel
Into the Whitney Basin
Location: 36.5777854919434, -118.293678283691
The iconically shaped Guitar Lake rests in the Whitney Basin, with the Great Western Divide and Kaweah Peaks in the background. ©Jack Haskel
Bighorn Plateau
Location: 36.6156921386719, -118.376556396484
Head-turning views open up on the sparse terrain of the Bighorn Plateau. ©Jack Haskel
Climbing to Forester Pass
Location: 36.6913719177246, -118.373733520508
With the Kaweah Ridge behind, a PCT’er continues the trip north. ©Jack Haskel
Snowfield
Location: 36.680347442627, -118.37964630127
Two PCT’ers traverse a deep snowfield south of Forester Pass. ©Jack Haskel
Steep View
Location: 36.6932525634766, -118.372924804688
Knife-edged switchbacks provide long-range views over the Great Western Divide. ©Jack Haskel
At the pass
Location: 36.6943283081055, -118.372299194336
Three PCT’ers relish in cresting Forester, the highest pass on the PCT. ©Jack Haskel
Jack at the Pass
Location: 36.6951332092285, -118.373558044434
Contributor Jack Haskel sits on the Sequoia-Kings Canyon boundary at Forest Pass. ©Jack Haskel
Long Glissade
Location: 36.6984519958496, -118.370147705078
Coming off of Forester, a PCT’er takes the short way down. ©Jack Haskel
Kings Canyon
Location: 36.7130584716797, -118.368804931641
After Forester, the PCT enters the north end of Kings Canyon, a deep, glacially carved trench.
©Jack Haskel
East Vidette
Location: 36.764217376709, -118.408012390137
Rising above Kings Canyon and Vidette Meadow is the triangular point of East Vidette. ©Jack Haskel
Kearsarge Pinnacles
Location: 36.773868560791, -118.380409240723
Travelling to Kearsarge Pass, the jagged edge of the Kearsarge Pinnacles stand above a lake-dappled basin. ©Jack Haskel
Kearsarge Pass
Location: 36.773193359375, -118.375022888184
A PCT’er stands at the Kings Canyon border at Kearsarge Pass. ©Jack Haskel
Rae Lakes
Location: 36.7993545532227, -118.401931762695
A granite-encrusted lake basin with a narrow isthmus. ©Jack Haskel
Painted Lady
Location: 36.8042030334473, -118.400131225586
The Painted Lady, a dome of varicolored bands, hovers over Upper Rae Lake. ©Jack Haskel
Rae Lakes and Fin Dome
Location: 36.8125534057617, -118.403991699219
Views over the granite domes and craggy tars of the popular Rae Lakes Basin. ©Jack Haskel
Lonesome Path
Location: 36.8386726379394, -118.407402038574
A PCT’er strides into the verdant reaches of Kings Canyon. ©Jack Haskel
Big ford
Location: 36.8274536132812, -118.409202575684
A PCT’er crosses a cold, swift creek in Kings Canyon NP. ©Jack Haskel
Storms approaching Mather Pass
Location: 36.9360618591309, -118.412261962891
A PCT’er big-sticks to Mather Pass, with a storm brewing to the south. ©Jack Haskel
Up to Mather Pass
Location: 37.0308265686035, -118.459854125977
Deep snow on the path to Mather Pass. ©Jack Haskel
Long Slog to Muir Pass
Location: 37.1216316223144, -118.652320861816
High snow blankets the bench leading to Muir Pass. ©Jack Haskel
The Muir Hut
Location: 37.1128921508789, -118.667640686035
Perched on an exposed ridge, the Muir Hut welcomes weary hikers with shelter. ©Jack Haskel
Climbing to Muir Pass
Location: 37.1143379211426, -118.663543701172
The large basin of Helen Lake makes for a long final climb to Muir Pass. Deep ©Jack Haskel
One of the locals
Location: 37.1121711730957, -118.670166015625
A local marmot hangs out in the Muir Hut. ©Jack Haskel
Evolution Basin from Muir Pass
Location: 37.113525390625, -118.671295166016
The snow basin of Wanda Lake opens up once you crest Muir Pass. ©Jack Haskel
Evolution Valley View
Location: 37.1753425598144, -118.701751708984
Looking down from Evolution Lake’s bench see far-off views north over the Goddard Divide. ©Jack Haskel
Flooded Meadow
Location: 37.1870574951172, -118.742034912109
Evolution Creek reaches the trail in high water. In low water, the creek flows past the little green clumps in the center of the frame. ©Jack Haskel
Evolution Valley
Location: 37.187328338623, -118.746627807617
Evolution Creek floods McClure Meadow, creating a virtual lake. The Hermit and Mt. Darwin Bench reflect in the glassy watercourse. ©Jack Haskel
Sierra Alpenglow
Location: 37.1861572265625, -118.743743896484
Early stages of dusk paint the Hermit and Mt. Mendel soft-pink against azure skies. ©Jack Haskel
A Raging Shower
Location: 37.1953468322754, -118.781234741211
Contributor Jack Haskel showers under the frigid spill-off from Evolution Creek. ©Jack Haskel
Freaked-out Crossing
Location: 37.194896697998, -118.78556060791
Contributor Jack Haskel stands gape-mouthed at the relentless torrents of Evolution Creek. Be wary: early-spring melt in the Sierras can create dangerous fords. ©Jack Haskel
Fery Landing
Location: 37.4058876037598, -118.941940307617
PCT’ers wait at the Edison Lake boat dock for the ferry to Vermillion Valley Resort. ©Jack Haskel
Edison Queen
Location: 37.3890609741211, -118.955963134766
With the Vermillion Cliffs in the background, PCT’ers rest on the deck of the Edison Queen, Vermillion Valley Resort’s ferry shuttle. ©Jack Haskel
Raging Creek
Location: 37.4419136047363, -118.918121337891
A lone PCT’er makes the slippery crossing where Silver Pass Creek tumbles from the bedrock. ©Jack Haskel
Jack at Silver Pass
Location: 37.4704513549805, -118.922584533691
Contributor Jack Haskel gives two thumbs-up to the views at Silver Pass, which span the Cascade Valley, Ritter Range and craggy Silver Divide. ©Jack Haskel
Glissade from Silver Pass
Location: 37.4704513549805, -118.923400878906
PCT’ers line up for a sweet snow slide session. ©Jack Haskel
Silver Pass Glissade
Location: 37.4716491699219, -118.9228515625
A PCT’er shows how it’s done on the glissade down Silver Pass. ©Jack Haskel
Lazy bends of Tully Hole
Location: 37.5019569396973, -118.920959472656
©Jack Haskel
The Postpile From Above
Location: 37.6152763366699, -119.087455749512
©Jack Haskel
Devils Postpile
Location: 37.6166381835938, -119.087455749512
One of the world’s finest examples of columnar basalt that towers 60 feet high and display an unusual symmetry. ©Jack Haskel
Banner and Ritter
Location: 37.7337417602539, -119.154396057129
Banner Peak and Mt. Ritter from the PCT. ©Jack Haskel
Banner Peak
Location: 37.7321968078613, -119.183013916016
Snow-clad Banner Peak rises above the iced-over Thousand Lake basin. ©Jack Haskel
Dononue Pass
Location: 37.7580032348633, -119.243179321289
PCT’ers relax after entering Yosemite National Park. ©Jack Haskel
Jack at the Muir Hut
Location: 37.1121711730957, -118.671340942383
Contributor Jack Haskel stands at the doorway to the Muir Hut before the descent into the Evolution Basin. ©Jack Haskel
Inside the hut
Location: 37.1117172241211, -118.670074462891
A couple PCTer’s take a break in the warmth of the Muir Hut©Jack Haskel
Jack at VVR
Location: 37.3760223388672, -119.012016296387
Contributor Jack Haskel stands at the VVR Mexico-to-Canada sign that greets thru-hikers. ©Jack Haskel
Piute Creek Crossing
Location: 38.0228500366211, -119.519241333008
A hiker hoists her pack above her head crossing Piute Creek. ©Jack Haskel
Climbing to the county line
Location: 38.2486152648926, -119.614402770996
A hiker climbs towards the Mono/Tuolumne County line in deep early-season snow. ©Jack Haskel
