PCT Day 13

Start: 1691.9

Stop: 1705.7

Today’s miles: 13.8

Total PCT miles: 119.1

Can I just say, I hate hiking in the snow. Like, it’s really making me crazy at this point. Ugh. Alright, here goes:

I woke up fine, no mouse issues that I could find. I packed quickly and ate breakfast on the porch, after putting everything I used away inside and shutting the door to the cabin well. It stormed all night again, and it was raining now too, making it a little chilly.

Right off the bat, I went the wrong direction for a good 5 minutes, up hill, before I caught myself and had to back track and find the trail. It was pretty, the dark greens of moss covering pines, soft pine needles to walk on.. painful pine needles and branches to climb over, under, and around. These blowdowns are no joke!

Early, and without much trouble, I crossed the California/Oregon border. Maybe because Cali has been so difficult for me to get any mileage in, maybe just because, I was pretty happy about the crossing! I was in a great mood.. the trees seemed greener, everything felt gorgeous. Well, until I hit snow. I’d be going going going, happy as a clam, and walk smack into a snow covered mountainside. As frustrating as it was, it was never as bad as it had been before Grizzly Peak. I was frustrated and slow, but I was never flat out terrified. Probably because at most points, I could see where it would end, and then where it would begin again. I never felt trapped.

I got through one hellishly long chunk of snow, thought it was over only to turn the corner and see my app say I’m meant to go up this ridge line, except halfway up to the peak, the trail splits off to the left and goes downhill. That’s all fine and well except the snow drifted off to the left so sharply, once again I couldn’t see a safe spot to go over.

Remembering the other day, I decided to go up closer to the top and look down to see from that vantage point where I should try going over at. Thankfully, the right side of the snow was up against rocks, so I could traverse mostly over those to the top. And I went all the way up. At one point I was thinking I’d just go to the top and then come down tree well by tree well again in the general direction of the trail.

However, at the top, I saw the whole other side of this mountain was snow free. I got service up there, so I quickly downloaded the topo maps while I could, waiting for it to disappear at any second. I walked over to the other edge a bit more, to try to see if I could spot the trail, lo and behold I could! And a dirt road! I slowly and methodically started inching my way down a steep NON snow covered mountain side. There were rocks to hold on to most of the way. By the time I made it to the bottom, and looked up, I was shocked I just came down that! It was high up there!! Apparently that peak is named Observation Peak! Who knew?

I followed the dirt road until it and the trail intersected. The trail northbound was clear, the road I was on hit a ton of snow. I took the trail. I was marveling at my good luck when once again I was smacked with even more snow. Luckily, this didn’t feel sloped the whole time and I could keep up my speed.. ok, that’s an exaggeration. I didn’t have to drop down to a crawl. Same difference.

Once I found another trail intersection, the storms started and I was getting drenched. And cold. I popped up my umbrella and followed another forest service road. It went around the biggest amount of snow left in this area, I had read about it on the app already, and storm or no storm I was going to be taking this road around Big Red Mountain regardless.

It seemed to last forever, and the rain wasn’t letting up. I wanted to stop for the day but it was only 3pm and even though my feet were cooked, I didn’t want to set up my janky tent in the pouring rain. I carried on. There was no more snow on trail all the way to this campsite I’m at. I was thrilled! Every single corner I rounded I’d hold my breath just knowing this is it, this is where the snow is!

I got my tent up and my stuff inside during a lull in the rain. It’s back again now.. I’m waiting for another lull to run out and pee. If all goes well, I have 13 miles to get to my destination tomorrow: Callahan’s Lodge. I sent a resupply package there, but wasn’t planning on getting a room there. Just eat at their restaurant, get my package, and then find a ride into Ashland, Oregon. Apparently they have a gear shop there, so I can get a new pole, a cheaper motel than the lodge, AND a Taco Bell in walking distance.

Depending how tomorrow goes, and if I get all the way there (please lord, no more snow), I’m probably going to take a zero the day after tomorrow, and maybe another one the day after that. All in hopes of letting more snow melt ahead of me.. and to let my leg scrapes and feet heal (I have a pretty nasty blister today from the cold/wet conditions and not being able to take my shoes off to air out my feet).

Knowing I could be “done” tomorrow makes me want to go to sleep right now, just to wake up and get hiking and get there already. I say that now, we’ll see what time I get moving in the morning.. especially with it being cold and rainy, too. Goodnight, y’all.