The next day we headed out early to beat the heat. We need to climb up from 8500ft to the spine of the Sierras, the very essence of the Pacific "Crest" Trail, before dropping down rapidly into the Kennedy Lake area. We've reached the top at about 9680ft and Andra looks south where you can see the trail taking you up over Big Sam and back to Emigrant Pass. The trail we will take will again be very difficult and in some places impossible to see as few hikers are willing to work this hard.

Please note, if you are one of the me, me, me generation that leaves trash all over the forest, lights fires in dry areas banned for burning, and violates the rule about pooping near the trails, perhaps you should rethink doing the latter on the PCT. The PCT is a very busy trail where hikers walk by every few minutes during the summer months. This would prevent you from being humiliated when a couple of old farts walk up and see you with your butt crack tattoo, popping a squat, 12 inches off the trail. I had no sympathy for this young woman - totally stupid.