I want to section hike from Kennedy Meadows north to Seiad Valley. 2 questions: what’s the best time of th year to do it and how do I get to and from the trail? I’ll either be flying in from the eastcoast or driving. Are there any car shuttlers that work the PCT similar to the ones on the AT?
Tom
Which Kennedy Meadows? There are two.
The northern one is easier to access. You could fly into South Lake Tahoe and see if there is a bus down the east side of the mountains to Bridgeport, then hitch to Kennedy Meadows North.
The southern KM is out in the middle of nowhere. I’d go to Walker Pass instead, it’s only a couple of days south and the road out of Bakersfield would probably be easier to get a ride than the road out of Inyokern.
There isn’t really an official shuttle network on the PCT like the AT. You might put out a request on PCT-l and elsewhere and hope for a response.
As to starting dates - the Sierras are generally mostly snow-free by July. Thruhikers go through earlier, but then have to deal with snowy passes and snowmelt streams. Bugs are a problem right after snowmelt - but less so later in the summer. It will be hot in northern California - so you could set up your hike to end at Seiad in early September if that works for you.
Ginny
My plan was to start from KM south, but thanks to your advice I guess I should do a little more research into this hike. I may start from Walker Pass.
How hot is it in that area (Walker Pass to Seiad) in August?
I’m retired so I can pretty much go at anytime. The problem is how to get there and back and with no AT-like shuttle system out there it seems that it won’t be easy.
Tom
i am hiking from km. to the ore. border from aug. 10 to oct. 1. am fling to bakersfield and getting a ride to km. with a friend. have done this stretch before and skeeters and heat should not be a problem this time of year. if you are on same time, you can catch a ride.
floater