PCT 2018 Day 55, June 16, Saturday.
Start mile 1137.9 campsite
End mile 1160.8, Peter Grubb Hut
Miles walked: 22.9
Climb up, then down, then up again to nearly 9k elevation at Tinkers Knob. 
Then the path goes atop a high exposed ridge for several miles in brisk wind, higher than any nearby peaks so that you feel touching the ceiling of the world. 
I meet a few flip-floppers during the day, and they believe their group is huge, often starting from the town of Dunsmuir. Approaching historic Donner Pass, I meet many many day hikers, as we descend on rock switchbacks. 
Donner Snow Ranch offers shower and laundry to hikers at a low price. Real nice people. 
I stop for a couple of hours and enjoy their food and wifi. 
Afterwards I meet Mantis and Oats, northbounders like me, and tell them about the pie a la mode, so they head that direction.
A little beyond Castle Pass is Grubb Hut, a cabin open to hikers. Note the outhouse with two stories. You use the top one when the snow is high. 
The cabin itself is also built with second story access in case of snow. 
The lower floor is a dining area, with sleeping quarters above. 
I am the only tenant this night. The upper story is naturally warm and cozy, so I only need my sleeping bag liner. The cabin shuts out the frog croaking of the flooded meadow outside, and all other animal sounds, leaving a profound quiet inside.
Bright green lichen 
Climbing up, I can see Lake Tahoe in the distance, better than my camera can. 
Looking at jagged peaks in distance, likely where I am headed. 
The path departs from the Tahoe Rim Trail, so I see fewer hikers. The trail does climb up on a high steep ridge. The wind is fierce, making the altitude seem higher than 9k. 
The ridge is part of a ski area boundary. 
I meet some PCT hikers going the other way, flip-flopping to give the Sierras time to thaw.
Climbing up a ridge, the next water is Aloha Lake. 
Climbing up another ridge, more lakes. 
Many more lakes– I won’t show them all.
The day ends back at 7.6k elevation. Many backpackers pass by today, doing parts of the Tahoe Rim Trail.