Category: PCT North California

At mile 1755.3. Hiked 23.3 miles today.

I walked between public and private land. All was equally beautiful. In this area the pipe gates have a different design and I was pleased to see that they were painted red. Better than rust color.

A large lava boulder lay about 5 feet from the door of my tent. In the morning a bird perched on the tip of the rock and sang its machine gun song. It then repeated the same at a higher pitch. It was nice to lie there and watch this black headed bird sing.

First break of the day and I am kicking back by laying down on my blue foam, using phone, and snacking. You only see my feet.

There were many mountainside meadows between wooded areas.

This small pond was where I filled my water bottles.

Here is the trail with a well crafted stone cairn.

The aqueduct was flowing pretty fast. It reminded me of the Lazy Hooch at Whitewater Amusement park. I’d like to tube down it, but Guthook said don’t drink, so I assume that rules out tubing as well.

I like this tree growing in an enormous stump.

These flowers were different looking. More muted colors. The wildflowers continue and the diversity is higher than ever.

Last night was the first time since Dirt and Rye that I shared a camp spot. I saw plenty of people today, but so far nobody else is at tonight’s campsite.Just as I was writing this, none other than Pusher showed up and started setting up. Amazing! Pusher and I are on the YouTube channel, “Saunter Beyond” hiking into Big Bear and riding with Papa Smurf into Big Bear. Pusher does 35 – 40 miles per day and hikes with a very fast pace. He went through the Sierras, leaving Kennedy Meadows in May 2nd. He developed tendinitis in both legs from walking in snow and had to take a 3 week break. Without that delay he would have been well into Washington right now.

From the beginning of the day my legs were sore though the trail was pretty easy.. it is strange how I might be sore one day and not the next. I did have periods during the day when the soreness went away, but it seemed to return more quickly than is usual for me.

Day 70 – Bizarre 

At mile 1717.7. Hiked 17.5 miles today. Walked unknown number of off trail and town miles.

I hiked to Interstate-5 where I hitched a ride to Ashland. I was dropped off at Albertsons Grocery so thought I would shop for my resupply. At the entryway I dropped my pack into a large cart, pulled out my hiker trash and dropped the trash in a can just outside the glass door maybe 30 feet away. When I turned around my cart with backpack was gone. Gone in less than 30 seconds.Thinking little old lady with memory issues may be shopping with cart and backpack, I asked store personal to make a PA announcement. No luck. I kept watch on doors and registers thinking that the pack must be in the store. The manager reviewed the security camera recordings and identified the person who took the pack. No little old lady and the person was still in the store. They were concerned and did not want to approach this individual. Police were called. The policeman asked me to follow him as we approached a man who was shopping with a small cart. He wasn’t normal looking. The police asked the man whether he took my backpack and what he had done with it. The man said that, “He came after me, so I thought I would teach him a lesson. I put the pack in the cooler.” The police les me into a refrigeratated room where my backpack was sitting in my cart. I whispered to the policeman that the man must be crazy. Review the recording because I’ve never seen this man.

Bizarre!

I don’t blame Ashland. It seems like a nice and safe town. Touristy. The Ashland Hostel was wonderful and an employee gave me a ride back to the trail. Despite all, it was a nice break. Reminder to myself … shave beard if it attracts kooks like this.

Here is meadow and tree view of Shasta. Looking at snowy north slopes.

Here is the rare White Flowered Bog Orchid. I met flower enthusiasts on the trail who were gathered around this tiny orchid. There were also numerous day hikers an eve more long distance runners training for the 20th annual SOB (Siskiyou Out and Back) race with distances up to 50 miles.

At mile 1700.2. Hiked 24 miles today. Rating: Don’t Miss.

Looking up the trail I saw something that looked like a huge long legged jack rabbit hopping down the trail. A doe nosed this animal into a hiding place at the edge of the trail. Of course it was a tiny fawn. It would not move. I could have stroked it, but left it unmolested. I thought, newborn and Bambi. Later upon examining the enlarged photo, I noticed an injury to the leg. Now I think about “The Yearling” a novel by Margorie Rawlings Kinning where a boy adopts an injured fawn.

Today I hiked through green. A huge contrast to the burns and ashes of yesterday. The trail passed through green meadows and cool shaded areas of trees.

It seems like there is a view of Shasta every day. Moving toward a view of the north slope of Shasta.

Wide open space and Shasta a tiny white spot in the background. This is an effect of the photo. The mountain actually appears more prominently to the eye.

This is Donamore Meadow.

Here is Donamore cabin. Original owners are working to restore this historic cabin. I had lunch inside the cabin. Enjoyed eating while sitting in a comfortable chair with TV tray. No TV.

I’m finally in Oregon! My first time in this state. This is the only state that I entered the first time by walking into it. All other states I was either born into, or first entered via automobile or plane.

More reasons that I rate today’s hike as “Don’t Miss”.

The trail with these beautiful grasse with tall stalks.

Cowboy camping at mile 1700! Turned out to be a mistake. No mosquitoes, but heavy dew that soaked everything including outside of sleeping bag and hiking shorts. Instead of a quick start in the morning, I had a slow start with a chilly and moist awakening.

View from my campsite.

People:

Saw only 2 people today, they were both ultra long distance runners on a run.

At mile 1655.9. Hiked 21.4 miles today.

The day started with another soft sunrise. I was on the trail by 5:50 AM.

Some of the trail is overgrown with raspberry plants. 

I reached Grider creek and crossed the creek rock hopping, then later via bridge. The trail followed this Gridee creek for miles with several bridge crossings.

I was surprised to find nice smelling wild gardenias.

Here are some wild orchids.

I meet a PCT trail maintenance team. They have a camp at Grider Creek Campground. This crew of volunteers will work on washes out trail. Leading the crew is a woman (far right) from the PCTA.

One of the crew members worked at Mission Creek in SoCal where the crew fixed a spot in a marshy area where everyone was losing their way. I remember the spot well. It wasn’t fixed when I came through so I lost my way. Bushwhacking and using GPS I found the trail again. It was funny to talk to the people that fixed this spot on Miaaion Creek 1400 trail miles south of here.

The last 6.5 miles are a road walk. It was hot! Bruce at the Seiad Valley RV Park told me that it was probably 115 degrees F on the road today.

At mile 1634.5. Hiked 20.7 miles today.

Here is a close up view showing the layers of marble found in Marble Mountain Wilderness.

Wildflowers, Marble, and Trail.

I flushed out a grouse. I heard one of the chicks peep, then silence. The hen moved in clear sight while drwing. attention to itself. And away from any hidden chicks. This is a pattern that I have seen before and will see again later this day. I think this is how grouse outwit bobcats and the like. Mother hen distracts to save the chicks. Mother hen can fly and move quickly to evade a bobcat, but acts like an easy and very noticeable prey. Meanwhile, chicks go unmolested.

Grouse on marble.

Butterflies collect along moist areas of trail and rise as I pass. The PCT seems like a Disney movie where butterflies and birds follow along as the main character strolls through nature.

There were areas where snow covered the trail.

Some marble has deep fissures that could be foot or leg traps. Those shown  below were 6 – 8 feet deep, but only wide enough to accept a wayward leg.

Here are more views of snow and landscape.

After hiking through these beautiful areas it is time for lunch.

This is my Two-Fish Tortilla. Recipe: Wrap tuna fish and goldfish in a tortilla. Goldfish won’t be at the seafood counter. You can find them in the snacks aisle.

Later, a light colored bear hurtled across a large open area like shot out of a cannon. He crossed the trail about 50 feet in front of me.