Elevator

PCT 2018 Day 59, June 20, Wednesday.

Start campsite at 1231.4

End 1261.7

Miles walked: 30.3

The forest floor is littered with sticks in this area. Logs appear to decay normally, but sticks apparently go slower. Why?

The rock outcroppings from yesterday fade away, and now we have tall and deep ridges, covered thick with trees, and not much for views. Starting at the campsite at 7k elevation, the trail descends by switchbacks to the Target River, at 3k. Then the trail climbs back again from 3k to 5.5k. Tomorrow the trail plunges even deeper to arrive at the tiny town/resort of Belden.

Today I saw 10 sobos (southbounders), in ones and twos, and no northbound, and four trail maintenance crew.

Finished audiobook Lady Molly of Scotland Yard, by Baroness Orczy.

Rocky Tops

PCT 2018 Day 58, June 19, Tuesday.

Start mile 1206.2, flat spot

End campsite at 1231.4

Miles walked: 25.2

Yesterday I forgot to say that a new PCT re-route for a few miles was in place, but I stuck to the old route because my gps and maps had that path. The new route moved to the east side of some lakes, and encouraged motorized vehicles on the west side. Saunter passes me, grumbling about the new route, which he took. He was moving fast, not sauntering. The area here is characterized by many large rock outcroppings of crumbling rock, tall trees and thick forest, and fewer water sources. The water sources are now once every few miles, like a normal trail, not the insane concentration of once every 200 feet like in the Sierras. The day has a couple of 1k climbs, but is mostly gentle downhill or level. Where are all the southbound hikers we were rumoured to meet? Not one today. Aside from Saunter, it is only me out there.

Finished audiobook The Tragedy of Puddinhead Wilson, by Mark Twain.

Sierra City

PCT 2018 Day 57, June 18, Monday.

Start at second crossing of Milton Creek, mile 1191.5

End mile 1206.2, flat spot

Miles walked: 14.7

After a brief walk, the small town of Sierra City appears. I meet BoyscoutsWheelChair and SunriseChardonnay, southbound, at the small church that provides free camping. They say I am done with snow!

Later I meet Saunter, northbound, at the general store. The store has free wifi, and I get my supply box and buy supplemental food there, and get lunch from their grill, and leave town in the early afternoon.

From 4.6k elevation at the highway, I climb on controlled-slope switchbacks all afternoon to 7.4k, bloated from town food and with a pack heavy with food supplies I find long skinny pine cones, not the huge Coulter Pine variety, but something different. After several hours of dense forest cover, suddenly the trail gets above trees for a few miles. The trail gains a broad ridge with views, and follows for a few miles.