PCT Day 90

Start: 1410.4

Stop: 1436.8

Today’s miles: 26.4

Total PCT miles: 1288.3

Yep. I hit snooze again.. except this time I did it on purpose. When it went off, and it was still so dark outside, I just couldn’t. I did sleep pretty hard though, and for that I was grateful. I started packing around 6:05 and left camp just after 6:30. Close enough.

Today had so much up and down and up again. All day long. But, even still, it was better for me mentally than yesterday. It was sunny and real hot in the sun, but in the shade it wasn’t too bad at all. After the first half mile or so, we left the burn zone and had living beautiful forest the rest of the day-unless we were up on exposed mountaintops and ridges.

Once Margot and I left each other this morning, I never saw her until we set up camp. I ate lunch sitting in a shady spot on top of one of the many climbs. It was nice, but I missed having her to talk to and make me laugh. Not far after lunch, I crossed a dirt road with some guys in a truck that said “Fire Storm” on it. I waved and said hey.. then asked, “should I be concerned?” And the guy told me that no, there was no fire yet-but anytime there’s lightening they come up to the mountains to keep a visual. I just stared at him.. then the sky. There wasn’t a single cloud up there-what was I missing!!??

We laughed and waved bye.. I started up another uphill climb. At the top, it was rocky and gorgeous from a full 360 view. Off in the far distance I could see a group of clouds-maybe those are what he’s watching? Weird. Oh well. I kept moving, enjoying the scenery so much, grateful that today wasn’t as hellacious as yesterday felt.

On the biggest climb of the day, I kept expecting to see snakes. Once I was up and out of the forest, the switchbacks were either rocky or the overgrown bushes.. I didn’t see a single snake, but I did see a ton of lizards that I often screamed and thought were snakes at first, and I saw a grey frog. He was a long way from water-so I thought that was odd.

I got water at a junction with a dirt road and like 3 trails. Then I started up my last climb of the day. It was 2.5 miles uphill, switchbacks in woods turning into exposed mountainside with the most epic sunset views I think I may have ever seen! The moon was out. The purples and pinks and oranges filled the sky and the other mountains in the distance seemed to bask in the glow. It was magic. Everything about it was simply magic.

At the very top of the climb there was a random chunk of trees where the camping was supposed to be at. It was nearing 8pm already, and getting dark, quick, so I walked around looking for the best spot for both of us, having a hard time choosing. I ended up in my headlamp. The one side had great views, but almost every tree was snapped and what was still standing was bend sideways, from the gusts of wind way up here on this mountain top. So, I went back in some, more to where all the living trees looked to be still standing and like they’d stay that way. I found a spot and set up, then cleared a spot for Margot across from me.

I unpacked and got inside, because while I was stirring up dirt and dust, the bugs started to attack. Irritating little boogers. Once everything was unpacked, I tried to hold out for Margot before cooking dinner, so she wouldn’t have to eat alone tonight, too.. but, I only lasted until 8:45. I tried. I cooked my dinner with my headlamp on and my light on my phone on too, so hopefully she’d spot me easy.

Before my water was done boiling, she came walking up! She had gotten lost at that weird intersection with the water, and took the wrong trail out of there. Whoops! Otherwise, she had a great day too, and even saw a bear and a snake! Eventful! She set her stuff up and we talked while I ate, then started writing this. I really wish it didn’t get so dark so fast. It’s a real bummer.

Tomorrow we have just under 22 miles before Andrea picks us up from the road and takes us into Sierra City for the night. We have a hotel room, and while there’s no where close to do laundry, we will get to shower, sleep in a bed, and spend time with my west coast bestie 😉 I’m super excited to see her again! It feels like that Fish Lake fiasco was months ago now. Ha. Anyway, sweet dreams! Faster I go to sleep, sooner I get to town!