Pete Hikes Rae Lakes portion of JMT, 50 miles, 7 days SOLO

Check out a segment of the John Muir Trail via the Rae Lakes Trail west of Fresno at the end of Hwy 180. July 30 to Aug. 5, 2021: a solo 7 day, 50 mile hike by 74 year old Pete Major with an altitude gain of 5,300'. He carried a Garmin tracker that sent messages via satellites. There were bear and deer sightings. No snow on the ground and low water in the rivers, but rain in the afternoons. Taking the Rae Lakes loop trail clockwise, on the third night Pete merged with the JMT and headed north the next day to the intersection of the Sawmill Pass trail. That is where he and youngest son entered the JMT in 2020 and headed north to hike Pinchot and Mather Passes. After reaching the Sawmill trail Pete returned back to camp that he had left set up near the suspension bridge over Woods Creek and Kings River South Fork. He spent 3 nights at this camp location hiking out without the pack and returning for each evening. On the 5th day Pete continued south on the JMT/Rae Lakes trail and reached the Rae Lakes, 10,500' altitude and turned around and returned to camp for a third night near the bridge. Pete has already hiked the JMT over Glenn Pass which is south of the Rae Lakes so no need to do that again at this time. On day 6 he hiked half way back and on the 7th day reached his starting point at Roads End Ranger Station where his wife Connie and 11 year old parrot, Lucky were waiting for him. In 2007, Pete for his 60th birthday, wife and youngest son climbed Mt. Whitney, 14,494' elevation which started the quest to hike the entire JMT. With this Rae Lakes hike Pete has only one segment left which is over Forester Pass. Hike maps are included in the video along with an altitude profile.
#JMT, #petemajor, #hike, #backpacking, #bear