Day 22: Shadow Chasing

PCT Mile 1544.2 to 1566.1

Miles Hiked = 21.9

As I started hiking this morning the trail was still headed in a westward direction so I found myself chasing my shadow once again.

I passed by Bull Lake – it looked like a good place to make camp, but, alas, it was only 8am so onward I went.

I passed by another old PCT sign – I was headed toward Highway 3 where the trail would cross it.

I ran into Daisy again. She was a little emotional this morning. Apparently she had previously been hiking with a young man named Boston. Daisy was now ahead of Boston but she had heard from another hiker that Boston was looking for her and was worried about her. I came to find out later that Daisy and Boston knew each other from before the trail. I chalked it up to “young love”. A little trail drama to keep life interesting!

I continued hiking and left Daisy to figure out her life. Soon I could see the trail traversing across the next hill towards another saddle.

See the trail?

I took a selfie – I’m getting scroungier by the day and each day I get stinkier!

I liked how these pine cones hung from the tree – I imagined they were pineapples and wondered how I could pluck them down – am I hallucinating or just wishful thinking?

The trail continued on with majestic views for miles and miles.

I passed more wildflowers along the trail.

Finally I reached Highway 3

There was a plaque at the highway – I guess this used to be a stage coach route 150 years ago.

There was an old campground nearby by so I stopped and had lunch and used the privy.

And then off I continued into the Trinity Alps Wilderness.

It was an uphill climb and I wasn’t moving very fast.

Late in the afternoon I found a camp close to a stream.

By the way, my tent is made out of ultralight Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF). It is made by a small company in Florida. It weighs 15 ounces and I use one trekking pole to keep it upright. Nine stakes are also used to “stake it out”. DCF is not only lightweight but waterproof and has a high tensile strength so it’s strong and does not tear or rip easily.

Thanks for following!