Bushcamp to Bushcamp
34.6 miles
Mile 2434.7
We woke to the sunrise bouncing off the placid lake beneath us. We packed up and began what would be an epic morning of vistas.
Mt. Rainer watched us from afar as we ascended switchbacks cut into the mountain’s stone ridge.
Mirror lakes and snow pocketed summits accompanied us as we made our way through the incredible Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
Oddly enough, I ran into two wilderness rangers, the first rangers I’d seen since beginning my journey. They even asked to see my PCT permit, something I’d forgotten I even had. After chatting with them for a few minutes, I thanked them for their work and continued on my way.
After a brief descent through a burn area, I began a tedious climb up to the top of a windswept mountain, home to herds of marmots. The interesting critters pack one hell of a screech!
I continued down the backside of the mountain and made my way through a green tunnel as I approached our campground for the evening.
My progress was slowed by the overgrowth of huckleberry bushes lining the trail. I always make time to munch on berries.
During the final mile before camp skeeters began their assault. It was especially irritating because there hadn’t been any all day, but of course right where we wanted to camp there were droves. Bummer.
Reaching camp, I threw up my tent and hopped in to escape their onslaught. Soon after, Spikes showed up and did the same. Together we ate dinner hunkered down inside our tents, before passing out.
Cheers!
You two are catching absolutely epic conditions. Maybe starting in March and getting through the Sierra in May will become the new standard? If you can handle the alpine conditions, the pay-off is exactly what you’re experiencing, rather than this:
http://time.com/5348467/yosemite-closing-california-wildfire/
I was planning on meeting some friends up at the headwaters of Bear/Mono creeks. However, I decided to bail, so here I sit sweating out the California heat wave (85 at the beach).
Your pics are making me drool with envy.
Yeah I think our start date planned out perfectly. Missed all the fires. It’s going to be tricky heading south now with all the closures.
Hobbes. How sad on so many levels. Austin your pics are beautiful and to know in a flash they could be gone. Soak up the beauty and be respectful for all of it. Lv u G
The US Forest service has an experimental fire/smoke modeling program that shows just how extensive the recent fire have been across California:
https://tools.airfire.org/websky/v1/run/standard/CANSAC-6km/2018072700?
Dang!
Thank you for sharing Hobbes. We worry here in the east too. Just can’t take any of this magnificense for granted. Be safe Spikes and Austin. Lv u G
I know that we are taught as kids that we should not be jealous, but MAN AM I JEALOUS! You two are doing great, and keep up the greatness! I enjoy every update, and I am glad that you are planning on the yo-yo..YOLO!! Plus, It will give me more opportunities to see some more of the PCT. Happy hiking
Haha thanks man!
Just learned The Pacific Crest Trail is closed from White Pass to Tieton Pass due to the fire being within a 1/4 mile of it. Additional trail closures are being considered by the USFS.
Friend of Paige’s parents.
Dang…thanks for the heads up!