Upper Shake Campground to Horse Camp
Another great night sleep. These earplug are amazing. I awoke at 6:00 AM and when I got out of the tent no one else was here. I heard at least 1 person setting up a tent last night before I went to sleep, but they are now gone.
Even though I didn't eat dinner last night I wasn't too hungry for breakfast, but I ate it anyway since I knew I needed the calories. The gnats this morning are awful and made me eat and break camp quickly. I was actually ready to hike just after 7:00 AM, just an hour after waking up.
Even though I didn't eat dinner last night I wasn't too hungry for breakfast, but I ate it anyway since I knew I needed the calories. The gnats this morning are awful and made me eat and break camp quickly. I was actually ready to hike just after 7:00 AM, just an hour after waking up.
After yesterday's detour I was still not back in the actual PCT. It was a long, steep 0.6 miles to get up to it. It was nice to see the PCT sign since I haven't been on the PCT in 2 days.
Today's hike was beautiful. There was so much green that we haven't seen in a while. Check out these awesome, luscious views today:
Today would have been a perfect hiking day of it wasn't for the crazy gnats and the heat. The gnats were relentless. There wee at least 100 circling my head most of the day. I saw other lucky hikers that had bug nets on. I left my big net with Tim thinking I wouldn't need it till the Sierra Mountains. I will be adding it to my bag tomorrow.
A big milestone today...MILE 500!
A big milestone today...MILE 500!
As I was climbing a steeper section I met a couple from New Jersey that was taking a break in the shade...Turtle and Caterpillar. We talked a while and then I tried to follow them up the hill which lasted about 2 minutes. I told them I would see them later. About 20 minutes later they were hunkered down in the shade, so I thought I would join them since it was late and I hadn't eaten lunch.
It was a pleasant break during the hotter part of the day. I was pretty hungry so I decided to make dinner for lunch. I had though about doing this in the past, but never had, so I thought I'd try it now. So I cooked my dinner for lunch. It seemed to work out since I had a lot of calories and still had almost 6 miles to hike. Plus, now when I make camp I won't have to worry about cooking and washing the pot. I might do this more often.
It was a pleasant break during the hotter part of the day. I was pretty hungry so I decided to make dinner for lunch. I had though about doing this in the past, but never had, so I thought I'd try it now. So I cooked my dinner for lunch. It seemed to work out since I had a lot of calories and still had almost 6 miles to hike. Plus, now when I make camp I won't have to worry about cooking and washing the pot. I might do this more often.
The afternoon hike continued to be beautiful and green.
I finally arrived at the first reliable water source of the day after hiking almost 12 miles. I was down to 1 liter, so I really needed water. I decided to filter and carry 5 liters of water to my planned campsite 3.5 miles away even though there is a water source there. This water is so easy to collect and filter and the water at the campground is supposed to be a steep trail. It means I have to carry extra weight now, but my bag is pretty light since I am resupplying tomorrow, and the terrain isn't supposed to be too bad.
Check out this water source. It is called a guzzler and is captured rain water and was delicious. That is my gravity filer system hanging from the roof.
Check out this water source. It is called a guzzler and is captured rain water and was delicious. That is my gravity filer system hanging from the roof.
After leaving the guzzler, the trail then went through a huge meadow. How pleasant it was.
I saw this sign close to where I'm camping tonight. Highway 138 is where I'm meeting Tim tomorrow...almost there.
After coming around a bend I got this glimpse of the Mohave desert that I will be hiking down to tomorrow. I will be hiking across that desert in the coming days.
I finally arrived at the Horse Camp I am staying at tonight around 5:30 PM. Today was a pretty long day. I hiked just over 15 miles and have been on the trail for 10 hours...with about 3 hours of breaks in there. A group of hikers that I had met last week was here. So cool that I get to see them again.
Another couple also showed up and then MAGA showed up. MAGA was the guy I camped with my first day back on the trail after the snake bite incident. When I saw him back then he was pushing long mile days. He has since slowed down and is enjoying the trail more.
With all these people here we all stayed out a bit longer talking. I actually got to see a bit of the sunset before getting into my tent.
Tomorrow I should try to wake up early again. I have 10 miles to hike and I told Tim I would be there for lunch. Plus, it is cooler in the morning and it should be another hot one tomorrow especially since I will be hiking down to the desert floor.
With all these people here we all stayed out a bit longer talking. I actually got to see a bit of the sunset before getting into my tent.
Tomorrow I should try to wake up early again. I have 10 miles to hike and I told Tim I would be there for lunch. Plus, it is cooler in the morning and it should be another hot one tomorrow especially since I will be hiking down to the desert floor.