Miles: 1168.5 to 1191.5
Trail Miles: 23
The hiker who arrived at camp late last night was already gone when I woke at 0530. He was ultralight and fast. Me on the other hand? I didn’t get on trail until 0700.
I knew if I pushed it, I could make it to Sierra City today, but I didn’t see the point. All the comments on the Guthook App said the town pretty much shut down on Sundays. Plus, the box I’d forwarded from Soda Springs wouldn’t get there until tomorrow at the earliest. (There was a good chance it wouldn’t get there until Tuesday, the day after.) Instead, my goal was to get close and make it a short hike into town tomorrow.
It was a beautiful day once again. The trail initially stayed up on a ridge line around 8000 foot. I enjoyed hundred mile views and blooming wildflowers. Eventually it began a slow descent through pine forests, some of which had been harvested years ago. There were many logging and forest service roads. Unfortunately, with the descent came the heat. My phone said the high in Sierra City would be 90? today. Heat, sun and mosquitos – boy, was I missing the high Sierras.
I am still trying to understand my food and nutrition requirements. So after I’d eaten through my 3 morning snacks by 10 AM, I figured the tiredness I was feeling was actually genuine fatigue. I stopped and took a catnap. It wasn’t very long but did the trick. I felt refreshed when I started hiking.
Volcanic rock and Blue Ridge-like layers
I stopped for lunch at Pass Creek. There were a few hikers nearby and I got to chatting with one. Her name was Katherine and she was section hiking roughly 200 miles of the PCT. It was the first time she’d ever been backpacking. We talked about what a learning process it is: training, food, mileage, pack weight, clothing, everything. She had a 12-day food resupply planned but had already realized there was no way to actually carry that amount of food. I told her I was no expert, but recommended she split the resupply up into two as a minimum and mail it ahead to another town. I don’t know if any of my advice was helpful, but I hope I reassured her she was was going through the same learning process we all were.
I got back on trail at what felt like the hottest point of the day. The heat increased as the trail descended through 6000, then 5000 ft. It hadn’t been that low since before Tehachapi, over 6 weeks ago.
I took a break around 4 pm and managed another quick catnap. If it stays this hot (it will), I may have to plan siestas into my mileage.
I finally made it to Milton Creek by 6 pm. I set up camp and enjoyed the luxury of soaking my feet in the cool water. It was nice to let the water wash away the day’s dirt and grime.
It’s less than 4 miles to Sierra City. The Country Store, where my packages will hopefully be, doesn’t open until 9 am. It will be a relaxed and leisurely morning. I might even sleep in.