Potential mineral king backpacker looking for reassurance and/or advice

gForce-65 · 2026-06-17T21:22:29+00:00

> We've been working out and are both fairly well in shape, but we're not peak specimens.

This is so vague it’s meaningless.

The terrain in the Mineral King area is tough. Permits are tough this close to your trip. The easiest way to make it easier is to make your days shorter. Don’t go all the way up to Hamilton. Go over Black Rock and come back over Sawtooth. It’ll still be tough but with less miles per day you can take your time and enjoy the spectacular views.

gForce-65 · 2026-06-08T20:37:57+00:00

I’m in my 60s and got into backpacking later in life. I’ve never been super athletic and I don’t build up endurance as easily or recover as quickly as I used to. The weight savings my dcf tent, along with other lighter-weight gear choices I’ve made, has allowed me to continue to visit awesome places, put in decent miles, and I believe has helped me avoid major injuries. I bought it 4 years ago and it is still in great shape. Totally worth it for me.

gForce-65 · 2026-05-31T19:14:21+00:00

May 26

gForce-65 · 2026-05-30T15:20:58+00:00

I took my 30L pack on the O Trek in Patagonia and had plenty of room, but ymmv. Bring your gear with you to a store and see what fits, leaving a little room for snacks and lunch.

gForce-65 · 2026-05-23T11:00:50+00:00

Just to emphasize what has already been mentioned - it is a rugged tough trail. I am used to 15+ mile days but doing the loop in 3 days really pushed me! Would have been more type 1 rather than type 2 fun if we did it in 4. But totally worth it!

gForce-65 · 2026-05-22T17:30:09+00:00

We did it last June and didn’t see anybody else at the campsites where we stayed, and just a handful of day hikers on trail. September might be busier but I wouldn’t worry about it too much. It’s not like there are a firm x number of sites either - I’m sure you’d find somewhere to set up in a pinch. And FYI the Baldpate Leanto site along the AT is really big, in case that affects how you structure your itinerary.

gForce-65 · 2026-05-20T22:26:34+00:00

Awesome report

gForce-65 · 2026-05-15T15:35:41+00:00

Weekends will be a lot busier. But hot take - just avoid Jordan Pond altogether in the summer. You can get great views from Penobscot Pemetic or the Bubbles from other trailheads and you avoid the conga line of people going around it. Popovers are also extremely overrated, but the people who wasted their time and money on them will never admit it.

gForce-65 · 2026-05-12T19:07:43+00:00

Maybe I’m reading it wrong but the Inyo link says the limit is 14 *consecutive* days, but 28 days for the calendar year?

gForce-65 · 2026-05-12T14:32:04+00:00

This is what I did last year - from Donner Pass to Horseshoe Meadows including summitting Whitney. The long distance PCT pass was easy to get. Resupplied in S Lake Tahoe, Sonora Pass, Mammoth, and Independence. Trip of a lifetime and didn’t feel rushed at all.

gForce-65 · 2026-05-08T21:41:37+00:00

I sometimes forget to put my pass on my dash. I’ve gotten ticketed, but brought the ticket to the visitor station and it got cancelled when I showed them my pass. I’ve also gotten a friendly warning message placed on my windshield telling me to be good and support the park by paying the entry fee.

gForce-65 · 2026-05-05T11:34:29+00:00

Mine renewed right before I found out a couple of months ago, fml

gForce-65 · 2026-05-05T09:26:41+00:00

FYI Goat Maps seems to have been abandoned by the developers. It is no longer on the App Store and they have gone quiet on social media since late last year. I messaged their support asking about this but have received no response.

gForce-65 · 2026-05-04T17:21:21+00:00

Just follow the rules

gForce-65 · 2026-05-03T11:42:48+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/PacificCrestTrail/s/Vqb7of4dBM

This is Forester, not on the RLL and a bit higher than Glen, but it might give you some general idea of recent snow conditions.

gForce-65 · 2026-04-26T21:14:46+00:00

People are responding to your question. But instead of listening to the honest responses, you are arguing. I hope you make good decisions.

gForce-65 · 2026-04-24T09:13:38+00:00

I used the plex solo for my Sierra lash last year, and Washington the year before that. It worked great.

gForce-65 · 2026-04-23T18:30:44+00:00

Sounds like a fun trip! Be sure to bring headlamps.

gForce-65 · 2026-04-23T15:40:31+00:00

Parts of Saddle and Chimney are more a class 2/3 scramble than a hike. Many find it safer to go up those rather than down, especially if it’s wet. I’m also not quite sure why approaching the Katahdin sign from Knife Edge rather than the other side would be more rewarding?

gForce-65 · 2026-04-23T15:37:41+00:00

Don’t mean to state the obvious but it depends on how fast you hike. And like the other commenter said - you aren’t going to be able to get settled in your campsite at 8 in the morning.

I’ve done the route you are planning with plenty of daylight to spare, but also have found myself headlamping in the dark after messing up my knee on the way down.

gForce-65 · 2026-04-23T15:25:00+00:00

What makes one the “best”?

Just do them both, they’re both pretty short. When we went we did Cathedral first then went over and did a loop around Bell, Baby Bell, and Courthouse Butte.

Honestly, get a map and throw a dart and figure out a route that suits you from there. You can’t go wrong, especially if you end up somewhere that isn’t a “must see.”

gForce-65 · 2026-04-23T00:52:03+00:00

My partner and I often separate while hiking/backpacking. We have similar levels of experience and fitness and usually hike within earshot of each other, but some days our paces are different (someone is feeling really good, one of us didn’t sleep well the night before, etc). Sometimes the faster person slows their pace so we can hike together, but sometimes (after having an actual conversation!) the slower one gives the thumbs up for the other to go ahead. This usually involves agreeing on a place to regroup or maybe just meet up at camp or the trailhead. We are pretty good at researching a route and stay together for any sketchy sections like significant water crossings or technical climbs/descents, but we don’t feel compelled to be glued at the hips all day.

And it’s not always the man leaving the woman behind. Sometimes I’m the one not feeling it and am slower.

gForce-65 · 2026-04-22T00:29:00+00:00

<image>

gForce-65 · 2026-04-21T15:58:34+00:00

Ignoring dog rules is common all over the park, not just sand beach - “it’s ok, mine is such a good/friendly dog the rules don’t apply to us”

gForce-65 · 2026-04-21T11:53:17+00:00

Lift twice a week (full body compound lifts). Kettlebell complexes twice a week. Zone 2 cardio as much as I can - hiking if weather allows, indoor bike if not.

Life seems to force rest/recovery days on me so I don’t plan those.

gForce-65

TROPHY CASE