September 15, 2016

Bushcamp (mile 1129.7 ) to Donner Pass Summit/Highway 40 (mile 1153.4)

Miles: 23.7

Our total miles: 2510.7

It was cold but dry this morning. We got moving at 7 am wearing most of the layers we had packed. With little food and no more fuel we were determined to make it to Truckee for the night.

We hiked along the western side of the ridge, soaking up the short moments when sunlight broke through the rock formations offering a bit of warmth.

We hiked past fields of dried and drying Mules Ears. It felt and looked like Fall.

We followed the exposed ridge to Alpine Meadows ski area. The trail dropped 1400 feet before climbing 1500 feet up to Squaw Valley. We traversed through the ski resort, slowing dropping in elevation.

Laurie grew up skiing at Squaw and it was fun to see the same slopes with a new perspective. Never would she have guessed there were large granite boulders under some of her favorite runs.

We walked down steep switchbacks and wide trail. All the while we stayed focused on our end goal – Safeway and a shower. We did not have enough food with us on this leg. 

Or maybe we are just getting tired of eating the same thing. All Laurie could think about was fresh fruit and hummus. Not together of course – although after a few more Quest bars and tuna packets she would eat any combination to avoid more of the same.

We dropped down and climbed up again toward Tinker Knob. We ran into a few day hikers and chatted with them, hoping to secure a ride into Truckee. 

The trail around Tinker Knob was beautiful. The colors of the plants ranged from yellow to deep red. The sky was blue and the rock formations unique. 

We were cruising today. Our packs were light, our bodies felt good and the trail was not too rocky. 

We reached Highway 40 at 4:20pm. Way earlier than our intended goal of 6pm. Laurie attempted to hitch while Andy made a sign. Within 15 minutes, we got a ride from the first car that drove past after we had our sign finished.

We were dropped off at Safeway and immediately let our stomachs lead the way. 

We purchased plums, apples, a large box of herb blend organic salad greens, a large block of Tillamook cheese, hummus, carrots, bell peppers, a rotisserie chicken and chips. 

There was a sale so we walked out with 3 bags of chips. Apparently we were in need of salt, fat and calories.

Laurie was ravenous and didn’t think she could make the half mile walk to the hotel so we sat outside Safeway and dug into the chicken. The crispy skin tasted so good!

We then walked to 2 gear stores in search of tip replacements for Laurie’s Black Diamond trekking poles. 

Unfortunately both stores only had LEKI replacements but we were reassured that there are replacements for the entire tip. Something to deal with post – hike.

We powered through the 15 minute walk to the Inn at Truckee while eating a bag of Kettle Brand roasted garlic potato chips. Oh so good.

Once at the hotel we showered, washed socks and our shirts, talked to family and made quesadillas. 

We munched on fresh foods all evening long while watching trashy tv and relaxing.

The past few nights Laurie has been falling asleep at or before 8:30. Tonight, with access to TV, Internet and phone reception, we stayed up way too late. 

It has been over 2 weeks since we had down time with service so we took advantage of it. 

Tomorrow we get to sleep in.

Tonight we are grateful for fresh crunchy foods and snuggle time.

September 13, 2016

Dicks Lake (mile 1107.6) to bushcamp (mile 1129.7)

Miles: 22.1

Our total miles: 2487

We all slept well during the night, warm and cozy in our sleeping bags.

Sometime during the night the earplug in Andy’s left ear fell out (this happens from time to time), and around 4 or 5 in the morning Andy woke up to the sound of rain.

He smiled, turned to his side and drifted off to sleep once more.

We had all planned to wake up early to catch the sunrise over Dicks Lake, but when we woke up around 6:30, it was to the sound of snow. 

And it was cold out! We were all glad we had put up our rain flies last night. 
Since we couldn’t go out to watch the sunrise, Kelly joined us in our tent for coffee, tea and hot chocolate. 

We enjoyed 3 rounds of hot beverages, sharing food and good conversation until 9am. 

It was still cloudy and cold but it had stopped snowing so we decided to pack up and hit the trail. 

We were walking by 10am, wearing most of our layers as we descended about 1000 feet to beautiful Fontanillis Lake.

Here Kelly took the Bayview Trail back to her car. We really enjoyed her company and are grateful she was able to join us. 

The dark clouds remained in the sky most of the day, threatening to produce rain but only spitting and hailing for short periods. 

For the first 6 miles or so we enjoyed cruising along the rolling trail. The short ups and downs and cool weather were a good combo for quick miles.

We were determined to hike 22 miles today to have the option of going into Truckee tomorrow. 

Laurie set a good pace from 12pm til 5pm, even with us making time to stop and chat with SOBOs and other hikers.

Andy kept track of our progress:

12pm- 1pm = 3.1 mph (rolling terrain)

1pm – 2pm = 3.1 mph (rolling terrain)

2pm – 3pm = 2.3 mph (snack break, got water, had hail and light rain)

3pm – 4pm = 3.0 mph

4pm – 5pm = 2.6 mph (mostly climbed, took break at trailhead parking)

5pm – 6pm = ??  got distracted, took side trail for views, sent text messages, caught up with The Grateful Red whom we first met at Lava Spring in Washington.

Even though we got distracted the last hour or so, we still made it to camp around 6:45pm!

We layered up (it was cold and windy along the ridge), set up our tent and with camera in hand went over to the ridge to watch the beautiful sunset. 

The dark clouds turned orange, then pink. 

We love sunsets and enjoy every one of them that we get to see. 

We were getting cold so we returned to our tent. Laurie quickly got in the tent and Andy cooked. 

We were running really low on fuel so Andy squeezed filtered water out of Laurie’s Platypus bladder to avoid having to boil the water for 5 minutes. 

There was just enough fuel in the canister to boil water for dinner, then it died.

Laurie didn’t get to enjoy hot water but she did get to eat bison pasta for dinner! 

After a delicious and satisfying dinner we made a plan for town day tomorrow. 

Now we sleep. It’s cold but we hope to stay warm and cozy in our little home.

Tonight we are grateful for our waterproof tent and sunshine after the rain.

September 12, 2016

Lake aloha (mile 1097.3) to Dicks Lake (mile 1107.6)

Miles: 10.3

Our total miles: 2464.9

The wind howled all night. We were glad we had chosen to camp in a protected spot in the trees rather than out in the open.

Around 6:45am Kelly and Laurie walked down to the water to take pictures of the morning glow reflecting off of the lake. 

The lake was choppy from the wind but the granite surrounding the lake displayed a nice rosy golden color.

With only 11 miles on the agenda it was too cold and early to start walking so we all snuggled into one tent and enjoyed a leisurely morning sipping hot beverages.

Eventually we packed up and walked along Lake Aloha until the trail forked. We continued on the PCT past Heather Lake and eventually around Susie Lake. 

The trail was rocky and the wind persisted. At times Laurie felt as if the wind knocked her off balance. It was hard walking and we were all thankful we had trekking poles.

We stopped for an early lunch at Susie Lake. The wind made it too cold for a swim but we enjoyed lounging in the sun.

From here we gently climbed up toward Gilmore Lake. We took a side trail and played at its shores – skipping rocks and seeing who could throw the furthest. 

Kelly worked up the nerve to go swimming and we cheered her on as she dove into the clear and cold water.

We slowly gained another 1000 feet of elevation as we made our way up to Dicks Pass. This pass is the last time the PCT travels over 9,000 feet. It is hard to believe that the mountains we walked through and up and down in Washington are all lower than 9,000 feet!

Near the the top of the pass we ran into a group of 4 SOBOs. They asked us about resupply options in the Sierra and transportation options.

It is interesting that no matter which direction you hike, there are still things to worry about. 

From the Pass we dropped down to Dicks Lake. It was a beautiful lake.

We claimed our spots in the trees (by leaving our backpacks there) and headed to the water before we lost sunlight. 

Kelly and Laurie swam and then warmed themselves on warm granite boulders. It was a wonderful way to finish a good day on the trail.

We ate miso soup and dinner sitting on a large rock watching pink clouds cross the sky.

The wind picked up after the sun set. We started to set up our tents in one spot but quickly changed our minds and moved them to more protected spots. Kelly’s tent flew 20 feet as we all stepped away to move our tent. 

We each put up the rain fly to add a little warmth.

Tonight we are grateful for friends joining us on the trail and the opportunity to slow down and enjoy each mile.