About This Route
Kennedy Meadows North marks the gateway to the Sierra Nevada on the PCT, with prime camping from mile 702 to 780 near Chickenhinny Creek and Horseshoe Meadow. This high-country paradise features meadows, creeks, and 10,000-foot passes like Forester. Obtain a wilderness permit from Inyo National Forest; bear canisters are mandatory per NPS regulations. Dispersed sites abound, but choose durable surfaces 200 feet from trails per Leave No Trace.
Safety Considerations
High altitude sickness hits fast above 8,000 feet: acclimate, hydrate 4-6 liters daily. Black bears roam; use approved canisters like BV500, never food in tent. Mosquitoes swarm post-snowmelt; apply DEET religiously. Afternoon thunderstorms bring lightning: break camp by 11 AM. Steep snowfields linger into July; carry microspikes and ice axe for beginners. Avoid road-adjacent sites near Horseshoe Meadow Road to deter crime, as PCT hikers warn. Groups over 8 overload fragile sites. Encounter abandoned gear? Note location for rangers, don't touch.
Essential Gear
Must-haves: Bear canister (Wild Ideas Bearikade), mosquito headnet, water purifier (Katadyn BeFree), and layered clothing like Arc'teryx Atom LT for variable weather. Include a satellite communicator, map/compass (Gaia GPS app backup), and repair kit for tent tears from wind.