postDay 26 - last post

Ended the day at 1506.1 for 11.5 miles today.

It would have been an easy day had I not gotten turned around at dawn and subsequently hiked 8 extra miles...but no more talk about that!

Saw a couple of SOBO hikers. I was dehydrated today for the first time this trip.

Walked by a trail marker for 1500 miles. When I arrived at my exit point I had no idea how I was going to get to Dumsmuir, so the sign at the gate was AWESOME!!

Hard to believe this is over, but the fires are what they are. And there is always next year.

I completed 413.6 miles (planned 630), and it was amazing! My legs and conditioning took about 300 miles to get in shape. I lost 21 lbs. Saw wonderful views and fully enjoyed my time on the trail. 

Now time to plan my trip home. It will involve trains, buses, planes, and cars!

Day 25.5

Finished at 1494.6 for 18.7 miles today. I noticed I mislabeled yesterday's post, should have been day 24.

Met a couple today who are attempting to Yo Yo the PCT. They already finished the Northbound portion, and then they just turned around to go south. If they make it, they will do about 5300 miles this hiking season. Wow! They were the only people I saw today.

Pretty strenuous hiking today, and hot. Most of the time was in the shade.

Hard to believe this is my last camp.

Tomorrow I will hike to Dunsmuir and figure out how to get home.

Day 25

Ended at 1476.0 for 23.6 miles today.

Slept well. Really liked the campsite as it had a wooden "bench" to sit on. Saw a beautiful dawn and early morning views of Mt Shasta.

Day 2 of not seeing another person. Trail was strenuous in the morning, but downhill most of the afternoon. And hot.

Camped at Ash Campground, a state park. But no amenities like a picnic table. I washed off pretty good in the McCloud river, but then had to put my sweat soaked clothes back on. Current elevation is only 2700'.

Day 23

Finished at 1542.4 for 20.1 miles today.

Great day to hike! Saw no one else today. Last night was very warm, I hope it gets cooler tonight.

The first pic has Mt Shasta in the background. The next 2 were my water sources today. The next was a strange print on the trail. Anyone know what it is? The rest were just views followed by my camp. I have a bi level tonight.

Day 22

Finished at 1432.3 for 16.6 miles today.

The person at the motel desk called a trail angel (Mary) who came and gave me a ride back to the trailhead this morning. Super nice, I really enjoyed my stay in Burney.

Saw one of the most elaborate cache's I have ever seen. This place had a little of everything! Even a shower stall set up in the woods. Called the"wild bird cache".

The major attraction today was Burney Falls. Unbelievable, the water just percolates through the rock. A mile upstream the "river" is dry. Go ahead and Google.

After the falls, the day was fine, though warm. Interesting terrain. I stopped early in a nice spot.

Day 21

Zero day today. Resupplied in Burney.

Well, my next section of 90 miles will likely be the last for me based on the fire closure. So I will end at 1506.5 for a total of 413.6 miles on this trip. The plan was for 630 miles.

From Dunsmuir, CA I can get Amtrak to either Medford, OR or Sacramento. From either of these locations I can catch a plane home.

For this last leg I will take it slow and savor the moments. I packed some extra snacks to enjoy.

Pics in tomorrow's post!

Day 20

Finished at 1415.7 for 14.6 miles today.

Got a hitch in about 10 min to go into the town of Burney. Staying at the Charm motel. No pictures today.

Watching Monday night football. Felt great to shower and get laundry done!

Will replan trip tomorrow based on fire closures.  ):

Day 19

Finished at 1401.1 for a total of 27.5  miles today. Whew!

Today I hiked the Hat Rim trail. Fully exposed in the sun temps in the mid 80's. Could have been worse, but still. Trail was relatively level so that was good. Great views all day. Mt Lassen on one side, Mt Shasta on the other.

This stretch of trail goes for 29 miles without a water source. There is a water cache called cache 22, I have a pic. There were 3 SOBO at the cache. Met up again with Bam Bam.

Tonight's camp is just 30' from a "cliff" and overlook. Plus, my view of the night sky will be spectacular. 

Tomorrow is 14.6 miles to the hyway where I hope to hitch 7 miles to Burney to take a couple days.

Day 18

End at 1373.6, for 19.7 miles today.

My favorite part of the day is dawn to around 10am. The trail was relatively easy today, but I was still exhausted by day's end. Walked through an extensive burn area for about 3 hours this afternoon; very exposed and not much to look at.
Stopped very early - about 4:30. Found an excellent spot next to Hat Creek. Will have the sound of water to provide white noise tonight. I like that! Tuna fish on tortilla for dinner.