[pct-l] Creek Crossings

[mark v]

Dear Matthew, the 2006 year wasn't average, and i think you'll be very sorry for going off-route to avoid Evolution and Bear Creek.  Me and my girlfriend did the Sierra in mid-June together on my PCT thru, and we basically did it alone.  Later, in comparing with other hikers' experiences, i found that the height of these rivers/creeks varied WILDLY depending on the time of day or even on the day.   I experienced waist-deep slow water at Evolution and lower at Bear.  Some who crossed within 24 hours of me reported shin-deep.

So, if you get a high snow year and happen to find a roaring river at Evolution, i recommend scouting a bit up and down stream, and then either making an early camp or having a long lunch.  You'll enjoy that section a ton, and i think it's a slam dunk that within 12 hours you will find the creeks crossable without a major problem.  Likely, you'll just take 5 minutes to prep your gear and plow on through carefully.

markv (Cuddles '08)