Day 106 (3 August) - Mile 1244.58 - 1265.47

Unpaved road 23N65YB to Paved Bucks Lake Road

My darn air mattress kept deflating last night. I had to fill it up every 2 hours. Somehow I still managed to wake up well rested. I woke at 5:59 AM and listened for Share Bear and Brad's alarm to go off 1 minute later. I laid in my tent watching the mosquitoes flying around outside for 10 more minutes before getting up and breaking camp.

I ate breakfast pacing around to avoid the mosquitoes and was ready to hike at 7:12 AM. Mosquitoes suck, but they motivate us to move faster.

Ready to hike.

Today's hike starts with a 2.6 mile down followed by an 11 mile, 4,427 foot climb...oy!

At least the views this morning were pretty:

Morning view.

The 2.6 mile down wound up not being too bad. At the bottom was a bridge over the Middle Fork Feather River and a sign telling us that it is 18 miles to Bucks Summit, our end goal for tonight.

Sign with bridge.

We washed up and collected water from the river before starting the dreaded climb up. Four miles towards the beginning of the climb was particularly steep and not too fun. Just before 11:00 AM we stopped for our 5 mile break at 6 miles.

Taking a break

At 2:10 PM we made it out panned lunch place just 2 miles from from the top of the climb. We finally got back on trail at 3:30 PM with 9.39 miles sill left to hike.

Right after lunch we had a pretty good hill to climb. The view from the top made it worth it:

At the top of a climb

Brad making it to the top

Like yesterday, most of today was hiking through a pine forest:

PCT sign of the day.

Towards the end of the day Share Bear was excited to be close to finished. She took off way in front of us.

Share Bear way ahead in the Mystical pine forest

Finally, just before 8:00 PM we made it to Bucks Lake Road. Along with us is Painter, Pogo, and Aviator. We all just collapsed on the shoulder of the road before figuring out where we were going to sleep. Suddenly, a truck pulls up and asks us if we want their leftover pizza...YES PLEASE!  Here is what they gave us...well, there was more, but I couldn't get my camera out fast enough before people grabbed:

Leftovers from strangers.

After eating a couple of slices of pizza we found a site just up the trail and made camp. It was getting dark, so decided to eat on the road where it was a bit brighter. We cooked and ate dinner then headed back to the tents for the night.

Tomorrow morning Tim is meeting us here to allow us to slack pack the 20 miles into Belden. Painter and Pogo is going to join in the action as well which should help Pogo out since she is having knee pains lately.

So, until tomorrow...

Close quarters for the night.