PCT Day 34

Day 34
Miles - 25

I always amaze myself by how speedily I can be when I hike in the morning. I do 10 miles by 10 am. The climb today doesn’t actually feel that bad it’s only 1200 ft then its levels out. I pause and eat a mars bar and I’m spotted by a curious chipmunk. One who is obviously familiar with humans. They dash around, sussing me out then scurrying over being coy and deceptive. They seek out my bag of trail mix and nimble at it. I throw a few nuts at it and check my location on my English phone as my US one is being exceptionally slow. I’m a mile away from Chicken Spring lake so I walk on and the view of the place is spectacular when I arrive. A piercing blue sky with no clouds hovers above. A great rocky cove surrounds the blueish lake, pine trees line the edges. Snow clings to the to the cliffs. A slight wind stirs the trees and I am in bliss.

I turn off the trail slightly to relax beside the lake. I rinse some clothes and myself and sit in the shade while they dry. It’s so blissful here, I am at peace, the first lake I’ve found on the PCT. After 2h I head off and I’m spotted by Red beard and Zipper and I then end up chilling with them for another hour and smoke weed. I hike out before them and gain a little height. We’ve all agreed to camp 15 miles away. I ascend the path which is a stoney ascent and rises above the lake. I walk a few miles and stop for a bit as Redbeard and Zipper catch up and over take.

The trail levels out and I cross through the pine forest and walk on sandy paths. I hike through a meadow and descend into a pine-ier forest (if possible). I find water and catch Red beard and Zipper getting their fill and hike on. It’s 6 miles and a 1500 ft ascent. I follow slowly and I’m joined briefly by 2 Canadians. Jukebox and snakebite(?) who are section hiking. I walk by a glorious river and see a dozen colourful tents set out beside it. They are all spread out here and there enjoying their own little peace. Some fish with small-travel size rods, some are cooking, some tending to their sore feet (section/JMT hikers - their feet still getting use to the trail), some nap, some read, some stretch, some tents are closed - their inhabitants sleeping, some are climbing trees, some are gathered in groups, some are enjoying movement without a pack, some hobble, some wave and I keep going.

Up I climb zigzagging, up, right, left, right, left, a green meadow appears with the solitary lone path of the trail running through it. I’m surrounded by high rocky cliffs on either side and lone trees dotted around. Up, right, left. Golden shafts of sunlight glisten and hover through the trees as the sun is beginning to call it a day.

Then all of a sudden it levels out and I’m walking through a forest. It’s quiet and still.

I push on a bit further and meet the top, then I zig zag down. The sun now casts red and golden rays over the trees and the wind filters through the branches. I’m the only thing making a noise.

Down I go and I arrive at the Whitney Creek and a glorious meadow with a larger river flowing through. I get closer and I see small flock of deer wandering about calmly. It’s amazing. I set up camp near the bear box and chat with a guy called BLT - Brave Little Toaster. He is getting off at Lone Pine after south bounding due to starting his hike early. Now he’s heading north again. We chat this and that - the usual hiker talk and smoke weed. Darkness falls bringing the chill. BLT zips his tent shut and I snuggle down in my sleeping bag as I cowboy camp under the stars which shine brightly.

Day 35 here

PCT Day 33

Day 33

Miles - 20

I’m up early as usual and take it slow as I wander up the last 2 miles to the top. When I finally get there I’m so happy to be at the top! There isn’t much of a view but at least I’m not constantly going up. With everything that goes up, it must come down and down I walk and find myself above a glorious green meadow. No more dried out pale fields, just lush, cool greenery. I walk along happily and slowly descend into the dreamy greeny. I come across a river and chill with Red beard and Zipper. Blue joins us and I eat porridge with sugar and powdered milk.

I walk out and find the next ascent hard. After a mile I take a nap, my body so fatigued. I wander on and find Blue and we proceed to leapfrog each other as we climb up the hill. It’s sunny and hot but I can see a glorious blue sky above the shady trees. I am slow. Slow slow slow. Once at the top I reward myself with chocolate spread and a tortilla wraps and walk on. I’m still slow but content and get to the campsite for 6pm. Blue is already there and set up for the night. I do my evening chores and am happy to be still and relaxed.

Day 34 here

PCT Day 32

Day 32

Miles - 20

I wake at the crack of dawn feeling excited to be getting back on the trail. It’s still dark and quiet. A golden haze lingers on the horizon through the trees trying to overpower the dark blue sky. I get up and pack up quietly as not to disturb Snakebite and the others. It’s a little after 5am by the time I get walking. I refind the trail and have fun walking on the sand. Everything is so still and quiet. Only a few birds are up. After a mile I come across a campsite which acts like a gateway into the Sierras. Cars, tents and campervans are dotted here and there. I nod at the lone early risers of the day and hike on.

I enter the Sequoia National Park which consists of ups and downs through Rocky and sandy pastures.  I pass a few who hiked out last night and begin the gradual ascent. The sun is rising slowly over the stoney valley edge which has pine trees clinging to it. I enter a blackened forest and the heat begins to hit. The path levels off for a bit then begins to climbs and I start to suffer. It’s so hot and there is no shade. I trudge along sweating, head down and wishing of shade. Eventually I reach a beautiful meadow encased by hills on either side. It’s the first I’ve seen so far on the trail and the first of many! I wade through the grassy scene before heading back up into the pines.

It’s a slow hike up and I come across an open rocky area and can see a bendy blue river below in the verdant valley. Black cows laze around in and out of the river. Which I’ll be drinking in a few mins. I brave the tree-less walk and head to the river. Yep the water tastes just like cows even with flavoured powder. I can taste cows and see swallow poop from under the bridge sail by as I collect my water yummy. I head up into the trees, where a father and son and Australian guy and French woman are chilling. I sit down, eat and people come and go. I chill and nap slightly.

It gets to 4pm and I chill briefly by the river as trios of scouts accompanied by leaders roll up. I eventually head out for 4:30 and make slow progress, the hill is hard. I’m so tired and I pass a few people and a few people pass me. I’m stopping every few meters and even in the shade of the trees and lateness of the day it’s warm. Blue and I leaf frog for a while then pitch our sleeping bags 2 miles from the top - so tired.

It is nice to have finally entered the Sierras and I look forward to seeing more in the next few weeks.

Day 33 here