The perfect day for Tinkers Knob. The winds were predicted to be about five mph, some snow fields but mostly negotiable (a couple were a bit sketchy), blue skies, and an easy roundabout drive to get around the Highway 40 closure (coming from Tahoe City).

I started around 7:15 am, already down to shorts and a sleeveless shirt (hot here and in the valley). I met a father/daughter (age 6) coming down from their backpack to Mt Judah loop. She was animated and shared stories of the sunset and the sunrise 😉 I met several PCT through hikers during the day (took their names and shared trail info on FarOut for this section of the PCT). Two snow fields below Mt Anderson were a bit challenging but doable for me, with spikes. Most of the PCT hikers just worked their way around without traction devices.

I met several hikers I had talked with the day before; I was doing Granite Chief for intel for PCT hikers, and the day before that, I hiked from Five Lakes to the PCT then to Whiskey Camp, and to Five Lakes Creek, up toward the junction with the PCT. So it was fun to visit again.

The quick scramble up to Tinkers' Knob was easy as usual, and I love sitting on the rock throne 🙂 Fun to see Granite Chief in the distance knowing I was just there yesterday.

I debated going this route versus from Palisades (same basic distance but closer drive), but there was a reggae festival this weekend with over 7,000 people expected. Between the potential crowds and the lure of fields of mule's ear in full bloom, I opted for the longer drive. I was not disappointed. The wildflowers are amazing right now! And there are still snow melt streams, so easy to get water as needed.