Knowing that there was snow on the PCT in the passes, but that it was not deep enough to cause a navigation issue or avalanche danger, and also seeing that a snowstorm would be coming through later that day to close the high country out for me, I decided to hike the Kendall Katwalk on my day off.
When I arrived at the parking lot, my car was the only one, and for the rest of the day I would only see 4 other hikers on the trail. I love my solitude in the wilderness, so this was a real treat. What a winter paradise it was! Even at the parking lot there was ice on the puddles, and the higher I hiked, the more snow appeared. Up along the ridgelines the trees were all flocked and my feet crunched over snow and ice. I actually broke my yaktracks on this hike, due to the constant changes between snow, ice, and rock.
I knew that pikas didn't really hibernate, but was surprised to find them awake and super active, "meeting" out their warning call across the snowy rocks.
Once up at the Katwalk, I munched on some rapidly hardening food and watched as mist and snow clouds started rolling in, quickly covering up the nearby peaks.
Apple Watch stats: 12.65 miles roundtrip, 3014 ft of elevation gain.
I have moved toward more videography, so for the whole adventure please check out my hike on YouTube at Kendall Katwalk Nov 2020, and subscribe if you enjoy it.
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