PCT Mile 697.5 to 703 ( Kennedy Meadows South!) + 1 mile off trail

PCT Miles 6

Hiked past lovely Kern River!! Arrived at the Kennedy Meadows General Store about 9:00 AM just as they were opening.

Picked up packages. Heard whining from stockroom and asked owner if he had a puppy - he said go look. Puppies! A litter of 6 week old Australian Shepherd pups. Gorgeous blue and red Merle and tri colored.
Fun to play with them. Throughout our first day here, we have gotten to know all of the 5 dogs (adult) and a wild, cute kitten who runs the place and thinks he’s a dog. Adorable.

We asked around and no one turned in a phone. Rick was driven back to campground by Legend (famous trail angel) to hike back in and look for phone. No luck. Hopefully someone picked it up and will bring tomorrow.

Passed 700 mile mark, but no stones on trail or we were so excited about Kennedy Meadows we didn’t see or think about it until we arrived.

Bought a few supplies from the famous Yogi (triple crown - PCT, AT and CT) Saw Viking at Grumpy Bears (restaurant) and asked about Sunrise. He said she twisted her ankle about 10 miles from Kennedy Meadows. She hobbled all the way to Kennedy Meadows with a sprained ankle. A trail angel drove her to a hospital in Ridgecrest. When Chris was leaving Grumpy Bears (Rick out hunting for lost phone with Legend) on her way to the General Store a car drove up and out popped Sunrise with an ankle brace on. The doctor said she will need week to recover, but she is hoping just a couple of days. She said she twisted it and tried to catch herself with her right foot, but her right foot landed off trail and she fell and rolled down about 15 feet off the edge. She was thankful it was only her ankle that was hurt after the fall. She is a small, tough FAST hiker (21 years old)! Always up with the Sunrise and she is always smiling.

We decided to give it a day here to see if anyone has found Rick’s phone on the trail before cancelling and ordering a replacement. Laundry, resupply organizing and tasks to do and Chris is still coughing, so a day or two will be helpful.

While at Triple Crown Outfitters buying a few supplies Yogi pulled up weather report. Weather looks bad starting tomorrow for three days - very low temps and snow 7000 ft. Not a good forecast for the biggest pass on the PCT - Forester (13000 ft +), which is a few of days from Kennedy Meadows. Of course, we would much prefer a clear day for that ascent/decent. Toying with going to Ridgecrest and staying in a hotel for a couple of days to wait out this storm before the big climb. Will see. Seeing other hikers getting rides to town.