Cougar Crest Trailhead to Campsite on Crest
Waking up in a cabin is always nice. Even when the 7:00 AM alarm wakes me from a deep sleep. I get out of bed and look out the window. What the ?!? SNOW! It was snowing. If Brad wasn't on the trail waiting for me to meet him, i probably would have gone back into the bed and took another zero day. But I couldn't. At least I could take a nice hot shower before heading out today.
We left the cabin after 8:00 AM, about 20 minutes late, and arrived at the trailhead at 8:30 AM. I told Brad that I would meet him at his campsite, which is 3 miles away and 1000 feet up, around 9:30 AM. Hum...there is no way i was going to make it there in 1 hour. Then a message came in from Brad asking if I was on time, because he didn't want to get out of his tent yet. Brad was camped up on the trail where it snowed on him all night. I told him it would be more like 10:00 than 9:30. He was quite happy that he could stay in the sleeping bag an extra 30 minutes.
So, I said goodbye to Tim. I won't be seeing him till Sunday afternoon, 3 days away, but he still did't want to come out of the truck for the daily picture, but I got him in it anyway.
We left the cabin after 8:00 AM, about 20 minutes late, and arrived at the trailhead at 8:30 AM. I told Brad that I would meet him at his campsite, which is 3 miles away and 1000 feet up, around 9:30 AM. Hum...there is no way i was going to make it there in 1 hour. Then a message came in from Brad asking if I was on time, because he didn't want to get out of his tent yet. Brad was camped up on the trail where it snowed on him all night. I told him it would be more like 10:00 than 9:30. He was quite happy that he could stay in the sleeping bag an extra 30 minutes.
So, I said goodbye to Tim. I won't be seeing him till Sunday afternoon, 3 days away, but he still did't want to come out of the truck for the daily picture, but I got him in it anyway.
Cold start for today's hike.
To get to the PCT I have to hike 2 miles up Cougar Crest Trail.
Trailhead sign.
As you can see, it snowed pretty good last night. Although I can definitely do without the snow, it sure makes for beautiful scenery.
Snow on Cougar Crest Trail.
Finally, after 1 hour and 1000 feet of climbing, I made it back to the Pacific Crest Trail. Because of the detour I had to walk, I haven't been on the trail since last Friday, 6 days ago. I was so happy to be back.
It's nice to be back!
I was also happy to see the footprints of other hikers. This is another thing I haven't seen in 6 days.
Thru-hiker footprints.
Ah...the beauty of the PCT with snowfall.
PCT wonderland.
Finally, at 10:15 AM, Brad and I were reunited and started our hike for the day.
Brad and Mighty Mouse back together.
Today's hike took us through wonderful pine forests and a burn area that must have been at least 5 years old by looking at the size of some of the living bushes.
I love the massive pine trees.
Burned trees with mountains.
We also came across a beautiful meadow.
PCT sign with outhouse
Brad contemplating the meadow
Lonely burned tree.
Time for a selfie. Wow...this one seems really close.
Self-portrait "A bit close"
We made it to our campsite goal by 4:00 PM. Could we have hiked a few more miles? Yes. Did we walk a few more miles? No way. We set up camp and just relaxed. This cool bird stopped by for a while on a rock just yonder. i zoomed in pretty good to capture it. Check out the cool long feather off the back of the head.
Cool bird on rock.
Wow. Today's blog is kind of short. Probably because Brad and I did a lot of talking to catch up so I didn't take as many pictures as I usually do. Also, as I lie here in my tent I am pretty chilly and just want to tuck my head and hands into the sleeping bag.
So, I will leave you as usual with y awesome campsite picture.
So, I will leave you as usual with y awesome campsite picture.
Home for the night.
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