Category: PCT 2018

1195-1211

June 23, 2018

I know myself pretty well. When I woke this morning at 6, I could feel that the hiking energy was not in place. I of course tried to shrug it off, telling myself: you’re in town, get a good cup of coffee when the java place opens and you’ll be fine. So I packed up slowly. Everyone was gone, except Cowboy and myself. They all went for breakfast at the Moose Cafe. I just wanted coffee.

When I was done packing, I walked over to the Country Store one more time to use their WiFi. I waited there until the coffee shop opened at 730. I had noticed that the coffee shop had some really cool steel doors. When I ordered the barista told me the building used to be an old Wells Fargo bank–not sure if you can see them in the photo.

Anyway, I sat outside and enjoyed my latte. A couple who had driven up for the weekend chatted me up about the hike. They drove up their “hotrod” with a group of 14 others. I don’t know what kind of car it was but he did offer me a ride to the trailhead, although he did say he wouldn’t have anywhere to put my pack. Oh well. It’s the thought that counts.

I finished my coffee and walked the 1.5 miles back uphill to the trail head. Sierra City elevation was 4182, the trailhead was at 4576 and I knew I had a few miles to grind to start…. all the way back up to 7193–in about 6 miles. It was a long hot climb. Nothing really felt great today. My knees were the worst. Everything just felt sluggish. RacerX and Dan caught up to me when I took my first lunch break. They were talking about doing 25-30 miles today. I pretty much told them I wasn’t going to make 20 miles for sure. So we chatted and I let them go about their fast-paced walk.

Around mile 1203 there was a reroute of the PCT. I’m still unsure how I managed to get on the trail that I did, but it clearly wasn’t the reroute. When I finally found myself on the reroute, the trail markings were still off and I found myself waking through a group of weekend campers parked literally on the trail. So I walked through their site. I can’t tell you how badly I wanted to ask for a cold soda, but I was already frazzled by the erroneously marked trail I didn’t stop to talk.

Once back on the “new PCT” I took a tumble. The trail around Tamarack Lake isn’t quite worn in and some of the bushes have only been partly cut back. I managed to perfectly kick a branch or root sticking out into the trail and before I knew it, BLAM! I was laying in the bushes. I think my knees took the brunt of the fall as I have a few new scrapes on them. Somehow I landed face up, with my pack in the bushes providing comfort. Other than that, I was a little dusty but everything else was in tact. Seriously, it was not my day today.

I trudged on for the rest of the day. I wanted to make it to at least mile 1211. I of course had to laugh when I saw the comments on the site I had picked out: Absolutely destroyed by cows. Seriously!!!! I just wanted to finish my day and that was what I had to look forward to. To that persons credit, yes it appears as though some cows may have used this space at some time. I found plenty of space further into the trees with adequate space for my tent minus cow patties. Day done.

It was shortly after 5pm when I got here. Tired, hot and just about hungry, I knew that I had nothing left in the tank to keep going. With the reroute, my personal detour, and the road walk I’m still unsure how many miles I actually walked today but I’m gonna call it somewhere around 16. Oh, and I did actually pass my own 1000 mile mark today. Maybe that’s why I was so warn out. Yay, me!

I’m hoping tomorrow goes better. I’m 75 miles from Belden and I’d really like to make it there by Wednesday night. 18 miles a day is the plan from here until then. Gonna hit the hay early tonight so I can hopefully get an early start tomorrow before it warms up. Good night.

June 22, 2018

1176-1195

Well, let’s just say I thought I went to sleep alone last night. I’m not sure what time it was when I heard the first crunch, crunch, crunch of tree branches near my tent. Of course, heart racing, I stayed still as to not alarm whatever was nearing my personal space. I let whatever it was sniff around and eventually heard the clumsily steps of a hoof. Deer. At least 2 of them. Clearly I had chosen their preferred sleep space. As they wrestled around, I slowly went back to sleep. Around 1am–this time I looked at my phone–I must have turned over in my tent alarming the deer. I heard them scamper about only to settle back into my personal bubble again. Ugh. This night was going to last forever. Again, back to sleep I go. Around 530 as the sun was starting to shine, I heard them wrestle once more. I peaked out the tent to see them heading back down the hill. As much as my heart raced thinking I was going to be eaten by some starving animal, I survived my 2nd night of camping solo on the PCT.

It took me less than an hour to get my stuff packed and on the trail. I even ate before leaving. I was hiking by 730 and knew that I wouldn’t see a water source for 2.5 miles. When I finally made it to Mule Ear Creek, I cameled up, filed up my bottles and headed back to hiking. On my way back down the trail, I stupidly was looking at my phone from the moment I left the creek. Thankfully it was no more than 500ft before I realized I had left my trekking poles at the water source. Back up the trail I went. There they were, right where I left them.

Back to solo hiking, where things don’t really seem to happen much. I did chat with a guy (I later learned his name was Mark Twain) who gave me info on Sierra City. I asked about the Country store hours and camping at the church. Being a Friday, I was doubtful I’d be able to find a room to stay at. He was helpful and we both went about our way.

Around 1020am I was surprised with a trail magic sign as I reached the Jackson Meadows Recreation Area. Just a few hundred feet down trail, I was welcomed by Trail angels Alex and Lisa. They had parked their camper for a few days and have been providing food and beverages to thru hikers. The said they had several camp with them last night. Alex is semi-retired and Lisa is on summer break from teaching Special Education in Reno. Such a nice couple to chat with. They had music playing, he gave me watermelon, a cherry coke, and Lisa made some fresh avocado, bean salsa that I couldn’t turn down. I’m not sure how long I was there but it was a nice little break. They even sent me off with a Snicker Ice Cream bar from the camper freezer. So delish. So thankful for their kindness!!!!

I met a few southbound hikers as I neared Sierra City. It was warming up, I was hiking as fast as I could. Yellowjacket and Lifehack were taking a break at a creek. It looked so refreshing but I needed to make it into town before the Country Store closed at 6–I actually thought they closed at 5. Yellowjacket eased my day by he updated closing time of 6pm on Fridays. I was in luck.

I decided to do the 1.5 mile road walk into town as I knew I had plenty of time left. When I arrived at highway 49, there were already 2 hikers trying to get a ride into town. There was no need to try too. So I walked down the highway…. not a whole lot of traffic so I’m glad I decided to not wait for a ride. I went straight to the store, grabbed my resupply box and my box from Ms. Laurie in Bend (thank you! The snacks looks delish!). I also ordered an burger and a shake. While eating I met RacerX from Washington. He told me more about the church lot where he was already camped. He also told me about the free COLD showers at the public restrooms. That’s right FREE and COLD! Doesn’t get much better than that my friends.

I finally finished my strawberry shake and went to setup my tent. I met Charlie Horse–who I know I met in the desert miles ago and Cowboy, another guy from Washington. I went through my resupply box and gave some of my food to Cowboy. He’s been hiking fast and his resupply May not make it here until tomorrow. I was going to leave my leftovers in the Hiker box, but giving it to someone seemed better. He was happy to get some free bars, ramen and some hot chocolate.

It’s kinda warm out tonight so I setup without the rainfly this evening. That’s a first. Hoping to get some better sleep than last night.

This town is really cute. Super nice of he church o allow hikers to camp out back for free. I’ll leave a donation before I roll out tomorrow.

Looking at the mileage, I’m going to attempt to make it to Belden by Wednesday night. I have a ton of food even with what I gave away. Hopefully I can keep up 18 miles days and make my mark. All in all, it was a good day! Good night!

June 21, 2018

PCT Mile 1157-1176 Karen mile 977

#hiatus

I’m just gonna say this: I’ve hiked a lot by myself in the past. Today, I found myself hiking alone and it really felt no different. Actually, the only thing that was different was my pack was heavier. But really, as much as we all started alone out here, the best part of this experience has been the people I have met and will hopefully continue to meet. Honestly, I can hike any day by myself…. I didn’t need to come all this way to end up back where I started.

And that’s my rant.

It was a pretty ordinary day altogether. Laura, Andrew and I went for breakfast at PJs. It’s the restaurant at the golf club that Andrew was playing at. After breakfast, Laura dropped me off at the trailhead. She walked a loop with me and brought her dog Nic with us. We said our goodbyes–and see you soons.

There weren’t many people out today. I passed 4 ladies who were all out day hiking and saw 6 others in a group heading south, but they weren’t PCTers. I was passed by one PCT guy headed north but that was it. He hardly said hello to me as I was just packing up from my first break.

The trail miles went by fast today. I did a few more than I planned as the campsite I was headed for was full of tree debris, so I had to go another mile further downtrail. This site isn’t much better but it was maintenance free so I called it a day. I figured the further I made it, the closer I’d be to Sierra City. If I wake up early enough, I might be able to make it there tomorrow like I originally planned. Otherwise I’ll be there early Saturday. But right now I’m 18.5 miles away and it’s 1.5 down highway 49 to town. I’ll see if the knees don’t fall off by midday tomorrow.

I had my tent and dinner set up just before 7. Not bad for starting the day at 930am.

Its weird to camp solo. So quiet here, except for the birds that are still chirping. I will say that the weather was perfect today, just hot enough to feel it. And I love all the butterflies that are finally out. I’m gonna call it a night tho. Again, pretty uneventful hiking when it’s just me. Hmmmm.