Start: 1705.7
Stop: 1718.7
Today’s miles: 13
Total PCT miles: 132.1
Town day! Ah, that makes me miss TownLegs from the AT, and apparently I get the same motivation she does.. because I got up and got moving, ready to conquer today’s snow early and make it to town!
The first four miles of the day were on and off snow patches.. mostly the patches were easily walked over or around. I never even put my microspikes on, which thank goodness, that toe blister of mine is currently very unhappy. Because of that, I was gingerly stepping on my left foot, being cautious and attempting to keep that foot dry, not an easy thing to accomplish out here in Snow Melt City.
The parts that were snow free were stunning, even if I was literally walking through a cloud. It had a mystic feel to the morning, and I was in a very positive and happy mood. Every twist and turn I could see snow, and assumed I was about to be walking right back into it, but the patches would be above or below the trail, or I could easily meander around it. If only it would *stay* like this! Because THIS I can do!
Once I hit a junction where the trail met two dirt roads and another cabin, there was no more snow on trail at all! I cruised! It was glorious! Beautiful vistas, huge trees and views for days! Water was everywhere, from the snowmelt, making excellent, cold drinking water.
Around 10am I passed two couples out day hiking looking for wild flowers. They promised me no more snow all the way to Callahans Lodge! I was so ecstatic! Because even though it felt like I was lower in elevation and there wouldn’t be anymore, today at least, my heart would start racing every time I’d get close to turning a corner, expecting the worst. To have my hopes confirmed just flooded me with relief! I was practically skipping down trail!
As if the Lord knew I was giddy as all get out, the cloud I had been in for hours lifted or I finally sank below it, because the sun was shining and the skies were blue and the birds were chirping! The only thing missing was Julie Andrews swirling around on the hillside!
Less than 10 minutes of passing the couples, I ran into two men out doing trail maintenance! One had a chainsaw and one had a rake. I chatted them up for a bit, too, still chipper as all get out. Then, because of those two, I had a half mile of perfectly raked trail to walk on until I hit the road crossing. Glorious indeed!
From there I ran into a family of 4 with 2 dogs and then two older gentlemen. I crossed over roads, the trail went along a blue ski trail and at times there were downed trees but nothing was putting a damper on my mood! I was at Callahans Lodge around 2pm, picking up my package. Sadly, the restaurant was closed until 3pm-just my luck, so I got a beer and a Gatorade and sat in the lobby.
A trail Angel, Stephanie aka Big Mama (she is the tiniest human, but she’s a firecracker for sure lol), picked me up to take me to my cheaper motel. While waiting, I talked to two women from the Netherlands who just arrived to hike the section I just finished. We chatted and they’re just as frustrated with the snow as I am. I think we all are, honestly.
Stephanie got there with another hiker, Stripes, who just finished the section I’m doing next! She promises it’s majority snow free! Hell YES! We said bye to our new friends and my newer friends took me to the motel.. with us steady talking the whole time. Stripes has also had a hell of a time, she already hiked the desert and was off trail letting the “snow melt” like many people.. only to find its just not melting fast enough. She is going to Fish Lake today to head north to Crater Lake, where there’s definite snow.. she promises to keep in contact and update me.
I got to the motel, checked in, ordered Taco Bell from door dash (my toe on my left foot was not allowing me to even pretend to walk normal). I got my food, ate, then took a 30 minute hot as fire shower. It was everything. I have to tell you, it is disgustingly satisfying to watch the tub floor when I first get into a shower.. and just physically see the dirt and grime wash away. Gross, I know.. but satisfying all the same. I did my whole washing process twice, shampooed twice, then conditioned, in between scrubbing with dial soap with hands only, then again with a rag.. although, I’m not able to scrub scrub my legs as well as I’d like because of the scabs and scrapes being so tender. Soon, hopefully soon.
Once I was out of the shower, it was close to 5pm. I pretended like I was going to walk a mile to wash my clothes. And then I laid on the bed in my towel and dozed off and on until the laundromat closed. Hahaha looks like that’s a job for tomorrow. My second toe on my right foot looks freakishly like the bad blister on my left foot, just not popped yet. I’m thinking at this moment, my feet, mind, body, and soul need me to take tomorrow and Sunday off-and leave for Fish Lake on Monday morning, after another shipping run. I have too many chores and no reason to rush into more snow, so I might as well take it easy so these things can heal.
At least that’s what I’ll tell myself to make me feel less like a complete failure… hahaha. Ok, it’s bedtime. I don’t care that the sun is still out and the bar in the same parking lot at my motel is having a whole party out there. These eyelids have seen enough today. Sweet dreams!
Enjoy your rest. You deserve it!