[pct-l] Stream Crossings

[StoneDancer1 at aol.com (StoneDancer1@aol.com)]

In a message dated 1/7/2004 11:24:24 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
hiker@godlikebuthumble.com writes:

>>>>There were a couple of others, but not quite as bad. Bear Creek and 
Kerrick 
Canyons are the ones that really scared me.<<<<<



As a solo hiker on the PCT, stream crossing were of concern to me...

I crossed the South Fork of the Kings River on 23rd of June this year, near 
evening.  It was mid- thigh deep and running hard.  I crossed it at the trail 
juncture, with poles, and it was a tad scary.  I would not have crossed any of 
these without poles.

I crossed Evolution  on June 26th, fairly early in the morning.  It was waist 
deep and moving slowly...other than puckering cold, it wasn't a problem.

Bear Creek was the most difficult, mid thigh deep and running hard.  I 
crossed it at first light on June 28th.  There were pine branches that people had 
left on both sides.

Crossing Kerrick on July 5, around 9am was not as difficult, IMHO, as Bear 
Creek, but close.

Unless you plan of scouting up or down stream for an easier ford or natural 
bridge, I feel poles are a must.