PCT Day 75

Bushcamp to Bushcamp

27.6 miles

Mile 1168.5

The wind woke me around 4:30, by repeatedly smacking my face with the corner of my ground sheet until I finally surrendered and sat up. I spent the next hour in my quilt watching the sun paint the clouds as it slowly rose above the distant mountains.

Exposed as it was, our campsite did provide an excellent view of the valley below as I drank my breakfast drink. I was packed up and on trail by 6, just a bit after Spikes.

The morning began with a snow covered descent in the valley below, offering great views as I trekked along.

Next, there was a short climb up Tinkers Knob, where I caught up to Spikes. We sat for a bit on the mountain top enjoying the vista before trekking on along its ridge for sometime.

There were a few snow drifts to navigate as we went, but we still made good time.

Around 10 the trail began its descent down towards Highway 40 and the infamous Donner Pass.

I passed this freshly dead marmot on the way…

I found this useful information guide posted as I reach the highway, but I already had plans to make a pit stop at the Donner Ski Ranch. Less than a quarter mile off trail, I’d be foolish not to swing by!

I arrived just as the restaurant opened, promptly ordering a corona and a massive plate of loaded nachos for Spikes and I to share. Shortly after ordering I received a text from Spikes saying that she’d decided to truck on rather than stop. Bummed, I picked at my nachos while chatting with the patrons and bartender.

While conversing with the bartender I learned that Pepper and Trauma, two rock stars in the hiking community who hiked the PCT during winter, lived in the area. Apparently Trauma was a dog sled guide for the bartender’s dog sled business…pretty cool!

After paying my bill, I wrapped up my leftover nachos to eat as dinner that evening before headed back out, only losing an hour during my side trip.

Donner Pass was so gentle I found it hard to believe that of the 91 person party that set out with the Donner brothers to take the “shortcut” west, only 49 survived the trip. It goes to show how brutal winter in the Sierra can be.

The trail meandered a bit, before crossing Interstate 80 via a pedestrian tunnel before heading up towards Castle Pass.

I saw loads of day hikers on my way up due to the the easy trailhead access. The beer and nachos sat heavy in my belly during my ascent. Burp.

I took a short break at the top before beginning my descent. I caught up to Spikes in the shockingly deep snow.

When I arrived at the switchbacks that would take me down the sheer mountain, I opted to cut straight down its snow covered side rather than attempt to navigate the hidden switchbacks. This saved me a solid thirty minutes.

From the valley below I had two more climbs until I reached the campsite I was heading to. It had been a day of ups and downs, so I was beat when I arrived.

Spikes showed up shortly after. I collected some water from a nearby snow drift melt before crawling into bed where I feasted on my left over nachos.

By 7 we were ready for sleep. Only 28 miles to Sierra City the next day, so we planned for an early start to give ourselves more town time.

P.s. Thanks Tim and Cynthia for your generous support! Hiking with your daughter has been such a pleasure. She’s a total badass!

Cheers!