Bushcamp to Bushcamp
16.8 miles (all off trail)
Mile 2652.6
We slept in a bit, not needing to rush the 8 mile jaunt into Manning Park, Canada. We’d been hassled by hungry mice during the night, so ended up stashing our food in the bear box nearby around midnight. After retrieving our bags, we packed up and headed out by 6.
The trail was gentle and well graded as we hiked together for the final time. My hunger for breakfast at the lodge overpowered any sense of sadness at the approach of our parting of ways, but that would soon change.
By 8:30 we arrived at Manning Park.
After a short road walk we reached the lodge, where I went to the front desk to book a room for the night, while Spikes went to look for her parents. Upon learning that the lodges booking system was down and were unable to take new reservations until it was fixed, I meandered over to the restaurant to grab a table for the four of us.
Two cups of coffee later, Spikes and her parents arrived. Having already met them months ago at Kennedy Meadows, it was great seeing them again. We enjoyed an awesome breakfast while filling them in on all the daring stories we’d neglected to share previously to keep them from worrying.
After breakfast, Spikes and I said our goodbyes, and then she was gone. Bummed, I tried again to book a room at the lodge, but their system was still down. Frustrated, I bought a meager resupply from the small convenience store and a scoop of maple walnut ice cream from the cafe before hiking out.
As I retraced the same steps I’d made only hours ago with Spikes, it finally hit me that she wasn’t ahead of me, or behind me, and that I wouldn’t see her at camp that night. The feeling sucked.
The three hour hike back to the campsite near the terminus was honestly pretty depressing.
When I arrived at the campground I pitched my tent on the opposite side of the river than we’d camped on the previous night, hoping there would be less mice.
After eating a breakfast burrito I’d packed out from Manning Park and a bag of potato chips Spikes hooked me up with before leaving, I went to sleep, anxious to begin my south bound journey.
Cheers!
What happened to Mike and Swift?
Swift finished the same day we did, and Mike finished a few days before us.
Well what can I say other than I cried. Overwhelmed with all you discovered including my grand daughter in law it would appear. Your last few entries were somehow sad as if you do not want the dream to be over.
So does this mean we have to do shoe drop ALL the way back to SD🙃
Very proud of you both.
When will you see Paige again?
Lv u G
It’s been an incredible adventure so far! I’m glad it’s not over, but I definitely miss Paige. I’ll see her over Labor Day weekend! So I’m looking forward to that.
Congratulations for a hike well done! We met Spikes early in our hike and then we were fortunate to meet you both when we flipped to go south bound. We were reading your posts and knew of the deadline for Spikes to go to work. So it was great to know that the goal of finishing before August 6 was accomplished! Peter Pan and Bigfoot also met their goal of completing CA. Please pass our congrats to Spikes as well!
So cool!
Yes, the northern terminus is not grand, but it is the end of an epic journey that you will forever remember. I still think about specific days and the utter joy it brings me.
Your blog has let me remember the absolutely stunning country we’ve transversed.
Your journey south will reinforce the absolutely awesome country you are walking through. Try to slow down a bit to really savor it! It’s heaven.
Congratulations to you both.
Safe travels – and don’t have camp fires. Absolutely not necessary. A romantic thing of the past.
The West is burning up.
Thanks So Good! It’s been an incredible journey. Cheers!
Congrats to both of you and thanks for bringing us along on your amazing journey. Looking forward to seeing the Sobo views!
Thanks Seth! Airborne says hi!
That was an epic trip and the tail of two kindred spirit thru hikers who will have so many many more tails to tell…
Giant congratulations to the both of you, can not wait to meet both you and Paige some day.
See ya in idyllwild this fall may the wind be at your back….
Cheers!
It hurts so bad and that’s how you know you love her. Did you ever think your blog would turn out to be love story? Beautiful man.
I had no idea I’d meet such an incredible person…made the trip that much better!
Incredible! I was introduced to your journey through a colleague who is a friend of your mother. Binged through your first month and then the last 2 weeks. Knew you were nearing the northern end and couldn’t help myself from skipping ahead. Now I need to fill in some gaps in the middle. 🙂 Nevertheless, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed following your trek and even got a little choked up when you parted ways with Spikes. What!?! Looking forward to your SOBO journey and would love to buy you an IPA and dinner sometime.
Hi Geoff! Glad you’ve enjoyed the blog! It’s been an amazing adventure so far, looking forward to what’s to come!
Congratulations to both you and Spikes on the completion of your magnificent journey. It would be nice if the cards have you snd Spikes ending up together. It would be impossible for you to spend every day and night together for much of the past 4+ months and not have tremendous feelings for one another. Glad you completed your wonderful journey safely and have these great memories to reflect on for the rest of our lives.
Thanks Ken! We certainly plan on being together once I finish my trip! Cheers!
Congratulations on finishing your epic NOBO journey 🎆So glad you were able to finish the trip with Spikes. I am sure you will be a little down without her, but keep hoping you will bump into a SOBO hiker that can fill one of her shoes! You never know..?.. Here’s to the return 🍺🍪🍧 Cheers buddy!
Thanks Chris!
Congratulations!!! I discovered your blog the day you reached the terminus. I had the privilege of starting at day one and following you two to now. I look forward to your future posts.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t going to miss Spikes infectious smile.
I look forward to hooking you up with some local IPA’s once you get back to Lake Isabella and then Tehachapi. Both are a 30 min. drive from my place. Stay safe mile eater!
Sugga Boom Boom
Hey Sugga! Glad you’re enjoying the blog! It’s been an incredible adventure so far. Sounds like we’re both missing Spikes! And some local IPAs sound great! Cya in October!