Volcanic Lava
Pacific Crest Trail Quest '08 - Page 16
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6.25.08
Today got started off on the right foot. I found a bag of apples that someone named
Meadow Man had left for us hikers. From there I headed over 10,000 feet for the last time
on the trail. It wasn't even that snowy. The trail was pretty easy going, but there was a lot
of up and down. At least the mosquitoes weren't too bad.
I did manage to cut my leg on a stick today, but I hiked 31 miles, and the volcanic
landscape is a nice change of pace.
I forgot to mention I saw a bear yesterday. This makes 2 bear sightings so far. This one
was almost blond in color and ran away as soon as I saw it. Unfortunately, I didn't get a
picture.
Today got started off on the right foot. I found a bag of apples that someone named
Meadow Man had left for us hikers. From there I headed over 10,000 feet for the last time
on the trail. It wasn't even that snowy. The trail was pretty easy going, but there was a lot
of up and down. At least the mosquitoes weren't too bad.
I did manage to cut my leg on a stick today, but I hiked 31 miles, and the volcanic
landscape is a nice change of pace.
I forgot to mention I saw a bear yesterday. This makes 2 bear sightings so far. This one
was almost blond in color and ran away as soon as I saw it. Unfortunately, I didn't get a
picture.
6.26.08
I seem to be in a bad mosquito stretch again. They're falling into my soup on the stove
outside as I write. Luckily, I'll be in town tomorrow and can buy some more bug spray. I'm
out now, and I really wish I wasn't.
The trail was easy today and I made it 30 miles by 7:30 tonight. There was a lot of
pointless meandering on this stretch, but every mile is one mile closer to Canada, even if
I'm going south.
I was hit by a thunderstorm this afternoon. It wasn't that bad, but I did get pea sized hail for
about 10 minutes. The hail quickly turned to light snow that lasted about an hour. I hiked
straight through it. This was my first chance to try out my rain gear, although I'm sure
there'll be lots more. So far, so good.
I hate to think how many dead mosquitoes are in my soup right now. Oh well. I'm hungry.
I seem to be in a bad mosquito stretch again. They're falling into my soup on the stove
outside as I write. Luckily, I'll be in town tomorrow and can buy some more bug spray. I'm
out now, and I really wish I wasn't.
The trail was easy today and I made it 30 miles by 7:30 tonight. There was a lot of
pointless meandering on this stretch, but every mile is one mile closer to Canada, even if
I'm going south.
I was hit by a thunderstorm this afternoon. It wasn't that bad, but I did get pea sized hail for
about 10 minutes. The hail quickly turned to light snow that lasted about an hour. I hiked
straight through it. This was my first chance to try out my rain gear, although I'm sure
there'll be lots more. So far, so good.
I hate to think how many dead mosquitoes are in my soup right now. Oh well. I'm hungry.
6.24.08
I dreamed last night that I was covered in mosquitoes. When I woke up this morning, my
dream came true. My tent was covered in them, and as soon as I unzipped the door, I was
covered in them. They were unbearable until mid-afternoon when the rock around me
switched from granite to volcanic lava. The lava drains much better and there weren't all
the swampy areas I had been hiking through. My guidebook says I'll be hiking on lava for
the next 500 miles.
I came to a place where the trail climbs over 10,000 feet for about 6 miles this afternoon. I
could see a thunderstorm on the horizon. I was nervous about being up high in a storm,
so I took a jeep road detour mentioned in my guidebook. There was no map of this
detour, only a description, but it was below the tree line, so off I went. Needless to say, I
got lost. I ended up on highway 108 which the PCT crosses an Sonora Pass. I started
walking uphill and 3 hours later I was back on the trail. I would have hitchhiked, but only 2
cars went by and neither one stopped. I set up camp having covered 30 trail miles, but
over 35 real miles. It was a long 14 hour day and I'll sleep well tonight.
I dreamed last night that I was covered in mosquitoes. When I woke up this morning, my
dream came true. My tent was covered in them, and as soon as I unzipped the door, I was
covered in them. They were unbearable until mid-afternoon when the rock around me
switched from granite to volcanic lava. The lava drains much better and there weren't all
the swampy areas I had been hiking through. My guidebook says I'll be hiking on lava for
the next 500 miles.
I came to a place where the trail climbs over 10,000 feet for about 6 miles this afternoon. I
could see a thunderstorm on the horizon. I was nervous about being up high in a storm,
so I took a jeep road detour mentioned in my guidebook. There was no map of this
detour, only a description, but it was below the tree line, so off I went. Needless to say, I
got lost. I ended up on highway 108 which the PCT crosses an Sonora Pass. I started
walking uphill and 3 hours later I was back on the trail. I would have hitchhiked, but only 2
cars went by and neither one stopped. I set up camp having covered 30 trail miles, but
over 35 real miles. It was a long 14 hour day and I'll sleep well tonight.
