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...

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...

At mile 1613.7. Hiked 14.1 miles today. I rode the Hiker Hut provided bicycle all over town. Among other destinations was the post office where I sent my first ever bounce box. IThe postal service will allow you to keep forwarding a package as long as you don’t accept delivery by opening the package. Hikers use this to send themselves things up the trail. In my case I had fleece pants and a down jacket that I won’t need until it gets colder. I sent it via Priority Mail...

At mile 1599.7. Hiked 8.9 miles today.  Dan, the Packer, gave me a ride down the summit into Etna.This means that he leads his pack mules up the PCT to supply trail maintainers. He has also used his mules to support last year’s fire fighting effort for the Island Fire in Klamath National Forest. Horses and a mule where Dan was headed when he dropped me off. One time long ago, Dan was leading his mules down trail when a cougar appeared next to the trail. The cougar quickly crouched down behind...