6am to 5pm.
Wallace Creek to Moraine Lake
19.4 miles
We have met several people for whom this hike is a big deal…. 1st backpacking trip, flew out from Ohio for this. And we are nonplussed so far. It’s a lot of effort for not much. The Sierra High Route ruined me.
Down, down to the Kern River
One of the few FLAT sections
We ate lunch at the Kern Hot Springs. The cement tub has a plug which we put in as soon as we got there. Hot, clean water! Heavenly.
The coolest thing of this trail so far is the haunting call of a loon across the lake.
nancyhikes 
I’ve been enjoying your inspiring story and beautiful photos.
One question: I notice in your home page photo you’re wearing a ULA backpack but on this trip it looks like a Gossamer Gear. Can you comment on these packs? I’m an experienced, but old-school, backpacker and I’m really interested in lightening my load. Unfortunately, none of these packs are available to look at where I live. Thanks so much!
I really, really need to do some gear reviews and post my gear lists. And I will as soon as I get back home. I have a ULA Circuit in the home page photo. I needed to carry more on this hike so I got a Gossamer Gear Mariposa. My lightest and smallest pack is a ZPacks ArcBlast. Where do you live?
Canada. Canmore, Alberta. Sounds like you own all the best packs!
It is hard where you live as far as being able to see before you buy. I don’t know what the shipping charges are but most of the small companies do allow returns.
I sure hope you didn’t voice that opinion to the hikers who *were* excited to be there! Wow. Excuse me for loving these beautiful photos, wishing I had the time and money to be exactly where you were.
Of course I didnt. Talking to them was the best part of the day. I love talking to people who are just discovering the Sierra. They were all going the opposite direction. The next day I understood why they were excited. They were right… It was breathtaking and stupendous.
You’re right. They do offer returns. When you have time, it would be very helpful to read a head-to-head comparison of your packs. I’m susceptible to analysis paralysis haha.
(I appreciate your response!)
I WILL do that…. After I hike some more.
I find it fun to talk to others on the trail. You never know who you’ll run into.
It was great. Especially after the sierra high route where we saw so few people.