June 2022

Mount Shasta, CA was my final stopover and zero before heading into Oregon. I have devised an aggressive yet attainable plan to wrap up the California section of the Pacific Crest Trail and reach Oregon within10 days. For my next resupply, I will be stopping at Seiad Valley, conveniently located along the trail. This will… Read More »Day 88: Mile 1501.2 (Mt Shasta, CA/I-5 & Soda Creek Road) to 1526.6 (Picayune Spring)

I enjoyed my short stay at the Strawberry Valley Inn in Mt. Shasta, CA, even though breakfast won’t go down in history. Then again, I admit that my calorie needs are a bit off-norm. I checked out promptly after breakfast since the Strawberry Valley Inn was a bit outside the city center. I walked to… Read More »Day 87: Zero in Mt. Shasta, CA

I woke up at 5:30am, ready to tackle two long, hot, and sweaty climbs on the final stretch to the town of Mt. Shasta, CA. The early morning miles were pure bliss, thanks to the cool temperatures and a well-maintained trail. Although the temperature started rising as early as 8 am, I was fortunate that… Read More »Day 86: Mile 1473.1 (Fitzhugh Gulch) to 1501.2 (I-5 & Soda Creek Road/Mt. Shasta, CA)

The northern stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail in California is often regarded as the least favorite section for most through-hikers. It’s common for hikers to feel discouraged when they realize they’re still in California and only halfway to Canada after several months on the trail. NorCal also few highlights, especially in contrasts with the… Read More »Day 85: Mile 1447.3 (Moosehead Creek) to 1473.1 (Fitzhugh Gulch)

When you have fancy friends, you indulge in the finer things. After a luxurious stay at the Shasta Pine Motel, Melinda, Tommy, and I headed over to McDonald’s for breakfast. And thus, I have now been to McDonald’s twice in three months—more than in the last three years. Sarcasm aside, McDonald’s was the only quick… Read More »Day 84: Mile 1419.0 (Burney Falls) to 1447.3 (Moosehead Creek)

I really enjoyed my last-minute stay at the Haskins Valley Inn in Bucks Lake, CA. The home-cooked breakfast this morning was a nice touch. It was pretty light, however, and I quickly realized that asking for seconds wasn’t an option. A couple who was seated nearby couldn’t finish their plates, and I seriously considered asking… Read More »Day 83: Mile 1263.5 (Big Creek Road/Bucks Lake, CA) to 1267.9 (Bucks Lake Road)

I woke up early to conquer the “Grand Canyon of the PCT,” as someone humorously described it on my hiking app. Indeed, yesterday afternoon, I descended 4,000 feet towards Bear Creek and had to climb back up on the northern side this morning. Sadly, much of the climb was through a fresh burn zone, a… Read More »Day 82: Mile 1253.1 (Bear Creek) to 1263.5 (Big Creek Road/Bucks Lake, CA)

Just like yesterday, I woke up to a pleasantly warm tent. I am thoroughly enjoying the SoCal early morning and evening temperatures! This morning, the PCT traversed a logging area. The trail was sometimes difficult to follow among all the clutter that the loggers left behind. It was a depressing sight. I am fortunate that… Read More »Day 81: Mile 1232.1 to 1253.1 (Bear Creek)

I woke up this morning in a comfortably warm tent, which was a refreshing change from the chilly mornings I became accustomed to in the Sierra Nevada. Breakfast tastes better when it’s not freezing outside! Despite this auspicious start, I felt somewhat lazy, hungry, and cranky all day, despite a perfectly smooth day. Perhaps it’s… Read More »Day 80: Mile 1211.8 (Summit Lake Outlet) to 1232.1

Despite its remote location in rural Sierra City, CA, the Sierra Pines Resort is the nicest hotel I’ve stayed at since the beginning of my Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and was genuinely impressed by the owners’ dedication to their business and their guests. After a restful night, I ordered a… Read More »Day 79: Mile 1195.4 (Highway 49/Sierra City) to 1211.8 (Summit Lake Outlet)

The 16 mile hike between Mules Ear Creek and Sierra City, CA was as easy as I expected. In the morning I hiked four miles to Highway 70. The trail was relatively smooth and free of snow. The next stretch took me through a forest undergoing restoration. I walked through a series of old growth… Read More »Day 78: Mile 1179.3 (Mules Ear Creek) to 1192.7 (Wild Plum Road/Sierra City, CA)

We breathed a collective sigh of relief at the Donner Pass Ranch dorm this morning: the clouds had vanished overnight. The blue skies provided an immediate morale boost. I was prepared to spend the day holed up if snow or rain had been in the forecast. Taking advantage of the communal kitchen, I made hot… Read More »Day 77: Mile 1153.4 (Donner Pass and Ski Ranch) to 1179.3 (Mules Ear Creek)

While it didn’t rain overnight, the clouds looked menacing when I woke up this morning. Seeing a patch of blue skies up north, I figured my best chance to stay dry was to start hiking as quickly as possible and move fast, attempting to stay ahead of the weather system. The entire day turned out… Read More »Day 76: Mile 1127.2 (North Fork Blackwood Creek) to 1153.4 (Donner Pass and Ski Ranch)

Fortunately, the snow didn’t materialize last night, although the wind was absolutely insane. Despite wearing earplugs, I didn’t get much sleep. Getting up this morning was definitely a challenge. The morning stretch through the northern part of the Desolation Wilderness area was easy and mostly downhill, but the scenery paled in comparison to yesterday’s vistas.… Read More »Day 75: Mile 1107.4 to 1127.2 (North Fork Blackwood Creek)

After a hearty self-catered breakfast at the Motel 6 in South Lake Tahoe—I did buy too much food, after all—I ordered an Uber to return to the Pacific Crest Trail. To my delight, the same friendly driver who had picked me up two days earlier at the Echo Trailhead accepted the ride. It was not… Read More »Day 74: Mile 1092.3 (South Lake Tahoe, CA/Echo Lake) to 1107.4

Since I took care of most of my town chores yesterday afternoon, I had some free time today to rest and explore South Lake Tahoe. Although I was initially excited about visiting South Lake Tahoe for the first time, my enthusiasm has waned a bit. The lake is stunning, and the city center is manicured,… Read More »Day 73: Zero in South Lake Tahoe, CA

My night at the Mess Trailhead was uneventful. I didn’t hear anyone loitering nearby, nor did I get into trouble for potentially camping illegally. I woke up in great spirits, ready to tackle the relatively short 13-mile stretch to Echo Summit, the southernmost access point to South Lake Tahoe, CA, on the PCT. The first… Read More »Day 72: Mile 1076.8 (Meiss Trailhead) to 1090.0 (Echo Summit Trailhead/South Lake Tahoe)

I woke up this morning to sunshine and a dry tent, which gave me a real morale boost. The morning miles were easy. I traversed a rugged desert-like mountainous area and passed intriguing rock formations. Not only was water abundant, but I was also able to rock hop across every stream, giving my still-wet shoes… Read More »Day 71: Mile 1053.2 to 1076.8 (Meiss Trailhead)

The Pacific Crest Trail is known as a “dry” trail. Today was the exception. I encountered water in virtually every form. The weather forecast predicted a “slight” chance of rain, but it turned out to be an absolute certainty. I got drenched, I crossed countless snow fields, narrowly avoided slips and falls in the mud… Read More »Day 70: Mile 1030.8 (Boulder Creek) to 1053.2

My stay at Kennedy Meadows Resort was brief but productive. As much as I would have enjoyed a longer break, I accomplished everything I had to do and I couldn’t justify staying around any longer. Besides, some of my friends are slightly ahead of me. With this in mind, I packed up my modest possessions,… Read More »Day 69: Mile 1016.9 (Sonora Pass/Kennedy Meadows North) to 1030.8 (Boulder Creek)

I slept a mere 11 miles away from Sonora Pass, the gateway to the Kennedy Meadows North resort, and thus decided to indulge in a relaxed morning. I set my alarm for a comfortable 6:30am. Sonora Pass had different plans—it was the Sierras’ evil farewell kiss. The scenery underwent a dramatic change approximately a mile… Read More »Day 68: Mile 1005.9 to 1016.9 (Sonora Pass/Kennedy Meadows North) through Sonora Pass

I must confess that I am ready to leave the Sierra Nevada. If I could press a Fast Forward button to reach NorCal, I would. Other hikers with whom I’ve conversed appear to share this sentiment. The stretch through Yosemite National Park, while scenic, is a slow and frustrating journey, and I’m tired of constantly… Read More »Day 67: Mile 983.2 to 1005.9 through Dorothy Lake Pass

I woke up at 5 am in the hopes of encountering firm snow at the top of Benson Pass and low streams throughout the day. Camping at lower altitudes is a blessing as the early morning temperatures are relatively gentle. Two weeks ago in the High Sierras, my morning routine in freezing weather required a… Read More »Day 66: Mile 965.3 (Wilson Creek) to 983.2 through Benson Pass and Seavey Pass

My goal today was to make up as much time as possible after yesterday’s four-hour delay at the Tuolumne Meadows Post office. Mileage-wise, my objective was relatively modest: I needed to cover 17 miles to reach the foot of Benson Pass, in anticipation of an early summit tomorrow morning. In the desert, 17 miles isn’t… Read More »Day 65: Mile 948.3 (Glen Aulin Camp) to 965.3 (Wilson Creek)

Today’s mission was simple in theory: all I had to do was pick up my resupply box at the Tuolumne Meadows Post Office within Yosemite National Park. But I knew it was likely to turn into a minor adventure as the Post Office had literally re-opened a couple days ago after a two-year COVID-induced hiatus,… Read More »Day 64: Mile 936.0 (Vogelsang Trail Junction) to 948.3 (Glen Aulin Camp)

I have left the High Sierras, but they sent me off with a grand finale. Donohue Pass proved to be deceptively challenging. My motivation to leave the comfort of my tent and break camp was at an all-time low this morning, as yesterday’s drizzle turned into persistent rain. I didn’t start hiking until 7 am,… Read More »Day 63: Mile 921.4 (Agnew Meadow/Badger Lake) to 936.0 (Vogelsang Trail Junction) through Donohue Pass

I hopped on the first bus from Mammoth Lakes to the Horseshoe Lake trailhead this morning, with the intent to retrace my steps and go back to the PCT through the Horseshoe Lake Trail and Mammoth Pass. I soon realized that I had mistakenly ended up on the Red’s Meadow trail. With two options at… Read More »Day 62: Mile 906.6 (Red’s Meadow) to 921.4 (Agnew Meadow/Badger Lake)

I spent most of my second zero in Mammoth Lakes resting and eating. At Grocery Outlet (my new favorite grocery store), I bumped into two of my hiker friends. I was wondering why I hadn’t seen anyone in town yet. They had literally just arrived in Mammoth, and were devouring ice cream. They were slowed… Read More »Day 61: Zero in Mammoth Lakes, CA

Mammoth Lakes is a lovely ski town, and I wish I had more time to explore. I got a glimpse of the posh “village” around the ski resort, and the sprawling city center with magnificent mountain views. Unfortunately, I didn’t get much rest on what was supposed to be a zero day. My shoes have… Read More »Day 60: Zero in Mammoth Lakes, CA

I woke up shortly after 5 am, knowing that I would push myself today. The appeal of possibly making it to Mammoth Lakes, CA one day ahead of schedule was compounded by the allure of a new challenge. I made breakfast, forced my feet into my frozen shoes, broke camp, and promptly hiked the last… Read More »Day 59: 884.4 to 903.3 (Mammoth Lakes/Horseshoe Lake Trail Junction) through Silver Pass + Mammoth Pass