6/14, Sunday. We were up early, packed up and started hiking ~7:30am. It's going to be hot today, so need to finish before the afternoon sun.
Took Commonwealth Trail, a bit shorter than PCT. Still in shade in the morning, pleasant temperature. Need to cross the creek on this large log, or you can wade the shallow water.
After connected to PCT, zigzag on treed slopes. Certainly more people.
Ignore the junction to Red Mountain, which you can see here: red.
Finally broke out of the tree line. View of Rainier to the south,
A large talus slope, with nice flat trail (well, it's PCT, almost always better maintained than other trails).
Now we that are in the full sun, even though it was only ~10am, we could feel the heat.
A lot of people on this trail.
Instead of continuing to Kendall Katwalk, we headed up to Kendall Peak.
On the way, saw 2 sisters sitting by a large boulder where the track is very steep. One of them chickened out. Their brother went up by himself.
It's really not bad. It has a proper trail.
The view on the summit is fabulous. True 360°
Took a long break (no shade).
Talk to a young lady (mother of 3) climbing alone, who went to Alta Mt yesterday.
On the way back, met Papermoon and Dereck of SOA. Haven't seen them for a couple of years. Back at the car by 1, it was already getting hot. People were still coming in. I hid in my room for the rest of the day. It peaked at 89°F.
