Campsite on Crest to Deep Creek Campsite
It was cold last night, but I feel like I slept pretty good. The tent site was nice and flat which is always a plus. I awoke around 7:20 AM and crawled out of my tent and sat on a nearby rock to absorb the morning sun like a lizard. Yesterday was cold and dreary all day, so the blue skies this morning was more than welcome.
As usual, we took over 2 hours to get ready to leave and were on the trail by 9:30 AM.
As usual, we took over 2 hours to get ready to leave and were on the trail by 9:30 AM.
Ready to start the day
Today's hike was fairly easy. We spent much of the morning following Holcomb Creek. We then wondered through a deserty burn area, and finished up following Deep Creek. There weren't many ups or downs, just a nice, casual hike allowing us to enjoy the scenery.
Very cool large tree
Self-portrait "Happy on the Trail"
PCT cutting through a meadow.
Brad and I stopped to filter water for about 40 minutes and headed back on the trail when we saw someone stopped just ahead. As we got closer we realized it was Wildcard! How cool. We haven't seen here since Idyllwild.
I know most of you may not care too much, but for Barbra's sake...Wildcard is doing really well. She took 5 days off in Idyllwild to rest her two sprained ankles. She did see a doctor there to confirm that there were no breaks and it was just a bad sprain. Her bag has gotten heavier since you last saw her. Her mom sent her some oil pastels so she can do some painting in her journal.
Anyway...we hiked with her for a few miles. She is definitely walking much better than she had been. We stopped for lunch and she went on.
I know most of you may not care too much, but for Barbra's sake...Wildcard is doing really well. She took 5 days off in Idyllwild to rest her two sprained ankles. She did see a doctor there to confirm that there were no breaks and it was just a bad sprain. Her bag has gotten heavier since you last saw her. Her mom sent her some oil pastels so she can do some painting in her journal.
Anyway...we hiked with her for a few miles. She is definitely walking much better than she had been. We stopped for lunch and she went on.
Wildcard hiking away
PCT sign of the day.
Using the camera timer
Cool burned tree
This is a large bridge that crosses Deep Creek and where we met up with Brad's friend Ron. Ron is going to hike with us the next day and a half (15 miles) with us. I don't know if you can see on a bigger computer screen, but that is Ron talking with Wildcard at the end of the bridge.
Bridge over Deep Creek
Ron is 72-years-old and is trying to section hike the entire PCT. He is a retired professor and is very knowledgeable on the local fauna, so it is very interesting to hike with him.
Brad watching Ron looking at fauna.
While hiking and talking away, I noticed that we had passed the 300 mile point by 0.21 miles. We considered pretending we were there and take a picture, but Ron talked us out of it. So, Brad and I walked back the 0.21 miles to the exact spot.
300 miles of the PCT completed!!!
Proof we are standing at mile 300.
The trail that follows Deep Creek mostly stays way above the creek allowing for amazing views down below.
Deep Creek way down below
The biggest issue with hiking way above the creek is trying to find a place to camp for the night. Another issue is that you really aren't supposed to camp within one mile of Deep Creek. And yet another issue is that this is a 15 mile stretch of an area you are not supposed to camp at all.
Needless to say, we don't have a choice and found a really nice area on a sandy bed down by the creek. While setting up, one guy showed up, and then another guy, and then a family of four. Wow...this is the most hikers we've seen together for a while.
This is Dave from Tulsa, Oklahoma. He just graduated with a degree in exercise and fitness...or something like that...and is doing the PCT before looking for his first job. He started the trail on 17 April...just 12 days ago. That is a 25 mile a day average!!! Today he hiked 28 miles to get here. His goal is to poop as little as possible on the trail. He holds it in until he finds a bathroom, thus the long hiking days. Although he won't accept it, we have named him "Porcelain King."
Needless to say, we don't have a choice and found a really nice area on a sandy bed down by the creek. While setting up, one guy showed up, and then another guy, and then a family of four. Wow...this is the most hikers we've seen together for a while.
This is Dave from Tulsa, Oklahoma. He just graduated with a degree in exercise and fitness...or something like that...and is doing the PCT before looking for his first job. He started the trail on 17 April...just 12 days ago. That is a 25 mile a day average!!! Today he hiked 28 miles to get here. His goal is to poop as little as possible on the trail. He holds it in until he finds a bathroom, thus the long hiking days. Although he won't accept it, we have named him "Porcelain King."
David
Behind Ron is Peter from Ireland. He doesn't talk much so I don't know anything about him except his name.
Ron with Peter in the background
Lastly, we are camping with a family from the UK. Christoper and his wife, daughter Josie (12), and Jack (10). Jack goes by the trail name Captain Obvious. Christopher made this impressive tent himself using plans and pictures online. They are hiking about 15 miles a day and hope to make it all the way to Canada...impressive. Josie and Jack are keeping a blog if you are interested in checking it out: reallylongwalk.wordpress.com.
The Grist family
And here is my boring, store-bought tent that I call home...pitched and ready for the the night. We are down at 4,215 feet...down almost 2,000 feet from last night, so it should be a bit warmer. It should be perfect for sleeping.
Tonight's home.
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