SEQUOIA - KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS

DAY 1 - MARVIN PASS TRAILHEAD TO FERGUSON CREEK

July 4, 2020
Bianca Milione

 
 

My husband Dean and I are doing a lengthy hike in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.  We camped with the car at the Marvin Pass trailhead parking lot last night.  To our surprise, the parking lot was full with about 30 vehicles, and we were barely able to squeeze in.  We were relieved to discover that not all of those people were backpackers, but most were going to a nearby horse camp.  Our hike begins in the National Forest, but we will cross the National Park boundary later today.  

Marvin Pass trailhead sign Sign at Marvin Pass trailhead

We get up very early around 5 am and quickly pack up camp, make our final preparations, and set off on the ascent towards Marvin Pass around 5.30 am.  Our morning ritual at home is to get up very early, take a 90 minute walk or run, and then come home for breakfast, so we plan to follow the same pattern on our hike.  That helps us avoid too much sun exposure, have quiet time on the trail with no other people, and also we just enjoy it, as we are both natural early birds with lots of energy earlier in the day.

The climb to Marvin Pass is over in just a few miles, and after a couple of hours of walking in beautiful forests, we stop for breakfast.  I am greatly amused at Dean struggling to open his new bear canister, but take care not to show it as I know just how desperate he can become when he’s hungry.  I sip my tea quietly as he wrestles with the thing for about 10 minutes. I didn’t think I could help since I wasn’t present when the salesperson showed him how to use it, but then when I go to open mine, I do so intuitively in a jiffy.  It turns out the salesperson had not given him the correct instructions!

Sugarloaf Creek Dean crossing Sugarloaf Creek An interesting plant

We continue on through the pines, crossing Sugarloaf Creek around noon.  Soon after that, we stop for lunch at a small, unnamed creek, and see a black bear running away from us through the brush.  That is the first black bear I have ever seen.  Around 2 pm, we decide to camp at Ferguson Creek, which is around the 11 mile mark.  The next day I feel like that was a mistake, but I don’t know it at the time.  We are both fairly tired for the distance we have done on account of the extra weight we’re carrying for such a long trip.  It seems smart to have a relaxing afternoon and not get worn out on the first day.  It’s sunny and warm, so we wash off in the creek and spend the rest of the day eating, reading, chatting, and relaxing.

Dean hanging our bear bag Camp at Ferguson Creek

 

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