California backbone trail?

imported
#1

my wife and i are planing to do a south to north section hike through the sierras next summer. we live in the LA area and are familiar with the southern sierras (kings canyon and points south), we’ve decided to start at kennedy meadows. our time window is somewhat flexible but is basically from mid june to late july/ early august. we’re thinking of ending the trip at south lake tahoe. (barring injury, dissapointment, etc…) but we’re interested to hear from those who have first hand knowledge of the PCT through the northern sierras and who might have advise on maybe a “better” or more logical place to leave the trail or other real life info.

thank you kind hikers.

smitty

smitty

#2

Ooops! I began to jump all over this one . . . but you’re talking about the “wrong” Backbone Trail. The one that I am aware of (“thru-hiked” it a few summers ago) is the Backbone Trail which begins in Point Mugu in Ventura County and ends at Will Rogers State Park in Malibu. I believe that you’re interested more in an extended JMT. You may want to play around with Craig’s PCT planner (www.pctplanner.com) and just input your stop/start dates and locations. It’s an excellent little trail planning gem!

dervish

#3

dervish,

Did you walk the near-coast trail that you are referring to? Island Mama considered hiking it but stuck to the coastline partly out of water/heat concerns but mostly because it was rather confucing in the “private” sections. Any input?

Tha Wookie

#4

Hello, I would start at July 1st to avoid alot of the snow. Kennedy meadows is a good starting point - nice people at the store. You could get food at Independence. Echo Lake would be a good place to end the trip or when you get there and you still have time continue on and exit out at Soda Springs by Donner Lake. I would bring a bear cannister for this trip. This a great section of trail with a lot of elevation gain. There will still probably be some snow patches you need to cross. Snow was the most difficult part for me since I didn’t have an ice ax to help me if I slipped. If you start mid July and go to Mid September you can avoid the most snow.

Pika

#5

I’d start mid-July to avoid the skeeters. Don’t know why, but in near normal rain years in the Southern Sierra, the mosquito discomfort level (double digit numbers at night or during rest stops vice gazillions) starts moving north in July - even though there’s still plenty of standing water around.

Booger