The boulders on this mile-long section of trail present obstacles that must be climbed over and sometimes under, creating a unique hiking experience. There are occasional 10-foot (3.0 m) drops, and places where packs must be removed to squeeze beneath a boulder.
Many hikers call this stretch one of the slowest on the approximately 2,200-mile (3,500 km) trail. This so-called "killer mile" or the "Toughest Mile"[1] is a very tough section that can cause even the most experienced hikers to slow down.[2]
Image gallery
The beginning of the "killer mile" from the south
Rugged terrain of the trail
Some of the boulders that hikers must pass under
Pockets of ice can be found under the boulders even in the heat of July.