Sulphur Spring Campground to Mill Creek Picnic Area
I slept pretty well last night except for worrying about animals, not necessarily about bears, getting to my food.
I know last night in my blog I said I was going to sleep in. Well...it didn't work as planned and I woke just after 7:00 AM. When I got out of my tent I went straight to my food and saw that there were huge holes pecked through the garbage bag. It looks like birds tried to get to it. Luckily they weren't able to peck through my food bag inside.
I took my tie this morning and broke camp at a leisurely pace eating breakfast, taking down the tent, filtering a couple of liters o water, and enjoying the pit toilet. All of this took me 2 hours and I was ready to hike at 9:12 AM.
I know last night in my blog I said I was going to sleep in. Well...it didn't work as planned and I woke just after 7:00 AM. When I got out of my tent I went straight to my food and saw that there were huge holes pecked through the garbage bag. It looks like birds tried to get to it. Luckily they weren't able to peck through my food bag inside.
I took my tie this morning and broke camp at a leisurely pace eating breakfast, taking down the tent, filtering a couple of liters o water, and enjoying the pit toilet. All of this took me 2 hours and I was ready to hike at 9:12 AM.
Let's get going.
All in all I felt pretty good considering the number of miles I hiked yesterday. Even still, I only plan on hiking 12 miles today because I know my body can't take another long day like yesterday.
Today's hike starts with a bit of a climb for the first 5 miles and then it gradually goes down for the last 7. It should be a great day...and look at the view I have to start with:
Today's hike starts with a bit of a climb for the first 5 miles and then it gradually goes down for the last 7. It should be a great day...and look at the view I have to start with:
Great view to start the day.
Today's number one enemy is the poodle dog bush. Actually the next 27 miles it is very prevalent. Here it is on the right with a log in front of it, and also a bit further down trail on both sides...way too close to the trail.
Poodle dog bush close to the trail
But there was also beautiful parts of the trail today that poodle dog was nowhere in site.
The beautiful PCT
The PCT going through an old fire area.
Burned trees with mountains in the background.
I planned to stop for lunch at a noted campsite, but accidentally passed it. It was past 1:00 PM and I was on a ridge with nowhere to stop, but I did find a place to take a self-portrait:
Self-portrait "Hungry hiker"
The map showed a campsite about 1 mile away, so onward I hiked. The trail was leading to and going over a saddle. I love when the trail does this because we get to see a new view on the other side.
Trail going over a saddle.
Great view on the other side.
I finally stopped for lunch at 2:00 PM and actually had cell service for the first time since I left Tim 3 days ago. I gave him a call and I disturbed him at an airplane museum of some sort. I would rather be hiking! I should be able to call him again in 26 miles.
While I was eating lunch, a day hiker went by and told me that he saw a rattlesnake just down the trail and I should keep an eye out. I just stared at him thinking and he continued on. Great...I have 3.5 miles to Mill Creek Fire Station where I plan to stop for the night...I just have to hike on and hope for the best.
As I nervously hiked, I tried to focus on the beauty around me.
While I was eating lunch, a day hiker went by and told me that he saw a rattlesnake just down the trail and I should keep an eye out. I just stared at him thinking and he continued on. Great...I have 3.5 miles to Mill Creek Fire Station where I plan to stop for the night...I just have to hike on and hope for the best.
As I nervously hiked, I tried to focus on the beauty around me.
Burnt tree with a view.
Burnt tree, white wildflowers, and a view.
What a wonderful trail the PCT is.
As I approached the Mill Creek Fire Station the following sign was on the side of the trail. The local people are so friendly to hikers, it amazes me.
Trail angel wanting to help.
Right at 4:00 PM I arrived to a sign pointing out my stop for the night by the fire station. I had a bit of a headache, probably brought on by the stress of the thought of a rattlesnake on the trail, but I made it.
Sign posted by the friendly Mill Creek Firefighters.
I got some water for the night and remembered that Brad told me that there was a picnic area just below the fire station that he stayed at. So I walked down there and saw the perfect PCT sign of the day with my picnic area in the background.
PCT sign of the day
Happy to be home for the night.
I got the tent set up before 5:00 PM and had nothing really to do until I was ready for dinner. I was hoping some other hikers would stop for the night, but no one did. I ate dinner around 6:30 PM and got in the tent just after 7:00 PM.
Tonight will be an early night, which my body can use. I plan to hike 12 miles tomorrow, but it would be really cool if I could make it to the next water source which is 17.4 miles away. Maybe with the early stop today and a good night sleep I can do the extra 5 miles. We will see...
Tonight will be an early night, which my body can use. I plan to hike 12 miles tomorrow, but it would be really cool if I could make it to the next water source which is 17.4 miles away. Maybe with the early stop today and a good night sleep I can do the extra 5 miles. We will see...
A new pitch for the night.
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