Why does nobody talk about how sketchy the water crossings get on the PCT in late June?

I was super skeptical last year when a guy at REI told me to pack extra dry bags and trekking poles specifically for the Sierra section around mile 800. I thought he was just trying to upsell me on gear I didn't need. But man, when I hit Evolution Creek around June 25th, the water was up to my thighs and moving fast. My buddy lost his balance without poles and got soaked up to his chest. That convinced me real quick that the melt-off is no joke and you can't just wing it with a map and good shoes. I saw so many people trying to cross barefoot or with just sticks and it looked dangerous. Has anyone else run into a crossing that was way worse than the guidebooks made it seem?

2 comments

2 Comments

amy97512d ago

And yeah, Bear Creek humbled me the same way, felt like the current was trying to steal my whole pack lol.

andrew_miller9012d ago

That Evolution Creek crossing is no joke, totally agree with you there. I had a similar rude awakening at Bear Creek a few years back where the water was way higher than any guide said it would be, and I ended up going full swim mode with my pack on my chest like a dork.