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.
Record speed start of the day.
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.
PCT sign of the day - Back on trail
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:
Very green hills
Green view below.
Green and beautiful
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!
Proof I'm standing at mile 500.
Mile 500 pose.
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.
Taking a break during the high heat of the day.
The afternoon hike continued to be beautiful and green.
Manzanita trees lining the trail.
A green view from the trail.
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.
Guzzler at Mile 504.5
After leaving the guzzler, the trail then went through a huge meadow. How pleasant it was.
Beautiful meadow.
The trail cutting through a meadow.
I saw this sign close to where I'm camping tonight. Highway 138 is where I'm meeting Tim tomorrow...almost there.
Only 11.2 miles to Tim.
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'm in my way down there.
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.
Max, Kate, & Care Bear
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.
Sunset behind my tent.
RSS Feed
