Bushcamp to Kennedy Meadows
26.3 miles (2 off trail miles)
Mile 700.5
Woke up surprised to find it light out…just past 6, I’d meant to wake at 5 for an early start. Oh well…
Cowboy camping was a success! Definitely going to do it as much as I can. I’m going to see if Triple Crown Outfitters in Kennedy Meadows sells Tyvek so that I don’t have to whip out my tent each night. It makes a great ground sheet, lightweight and cheap.
Spikes, as usual, hit the trail before me. I tend to dally a bit, but I’m cool with it.
The day started with a descent down to a sweet little creek where I topped of my bottles. Swift and Shit Gust came walking up shortly after I’d arrived. We chatted for a bit before I jammed on.
The next few hours were filled with a lengthy, but easy climb. The pines were replaced by grassy hills marred by evidence of a historic burn.
The remainder of the trail winded back down the mountain into the valley that housed Kennedy Meadows.
3 miles from the junction that would lead me to Grumpy Bears Restaurant the trail reached the South Fork Kern River.
I found a nice spot to relax by the river to soak my filthy feet while polishing off a pint of bourbon.
Around 3 I decided to bang out the final miles to town, craving some hot food and cold beer real hard.
I reached the 700 mile marker just before the junction to town.
The side trail to town led me to a dirt road.
Then an asphalt road.
After a few failed hitching attempts a car finally stopped with Spikes smiling face sticking out the window. Swift was also inside, and within minutes we hopped out at Grumpy Bears.
We walked in to find Diva amid the crowd! It was awesome seeing my buddy again. I grabbed a seat at the bar and ordered a Lagunitas IPA and the sampler platter which came with fried mushrooms, fried cheese, fried jalapeño poppers and fried chicken wings. Mmmm…fried!!!
Afternoon turned into evening as I caught up with Diva at the bar.
Back inside the bar, I played a round of Kings Cup with a fun group of hikers before calling it quits to retire to my tent.
Looking forward to doing a whole lot of nothing!
Cheers!