Ashland to Bushcamp
18.7 miles
Mile 1737.4
It was nearly 8 by the time I crawled out of bed to hit the shower. Feeling prime, I munched down on the rather impressive continental breakfast before beginning a series of chores I’d planned on knocking out.
An hour later we packed up and headed out to pickup Spikes’ resupply box from the post office. On our way we were stopped by a gentleman in a Subaru inquiring whether we were thru hikers. Turns out he was a local trail angel and offered to drive us to the trail head…what luck!
We hopped into Shanty’s car to be ferried first to the post office, then to a local sandwich shop called Ruby’s where we grabbed breakfast burritos to pack out for dinner, and finally to the trailhead.
Shanty was a super cool dude! We thanked him for the ride before padding off down the trail.
We’d gotten started a bit past noon, and made great time on the well maintained trail.
A few miles in we met an 18 year old German girl named Monner, who was all smiles, being that today was her first day on trail!
Continuing on, we passed Pilot Rock, a large chunk of volcanic rock atop a mountain that earlier settlers used as a landmark as they made their was to Oregon.
Next, we entered Soda Mountain Wilderness before arriving at a small spring where we stopped to fill our bottles. We met two hikers named Socrates and Kim while resting at the spring. Kim said she’d found strawberries growing on trail, so I’ll be keeping my eye out from here on out.
The last few hours flew by as Spikes and I chatted while walking. The pond I filled up at before our campsite was pretty gnarly, but I made do.
After pitching our tents we tore into the burritos we’d bought in town. It was delicious. I treated myself to a rice crispy treat for dessert before heading to me tent for some shut eye.
Cheers!
P.s. Thanks for buying Spikes and I a round Brian! We’re stoked for your wedding! Miss you buddy!
Cheers!