Dave’s PCT & Other Adventures: Day 86 up up we go

Saturday, June 10, 2023

Day 86 up up we go

Today I woke up to the sound of the river next to me. I packed up camp and started hiking at at 6 AM. Leaving the campsite there is another good bridge over the river.

Just after I crossed the river I found this very fragrant western Azalea and the Thimbleberry with wide maple looking leaves, and a smaller white flower

Most of the trees on this section of trail, have a very interesting moss covering the entire trunk. Moss is also covering the entire wall of rocks on the opposite side of the valley.

The trail continues to be a beautiful lush green. We are going uphill today and I am making fairly decent time. My ankle is feeling better with only slight pain and while the large blisters on the front balls both feet hurt I can push through the pain and don’t feel it much after about a quarter mile.

I made it up over the top, down another 2 miles, and have stopped next to this Creek for my 10 x 10 break to get a little more nutrition in me, some water, and relax for a bit.

The trail continues to offer regular views of tree covered mountain sides

The bees are busy gathering pollen off of these yellow Wilder Buckwheats.

Squaw Valley Creek has a bridge assisting us over. This is my lunch spot for today and a good location for filling up with water for our dry campsite tonight. I will need to carry 4 L up the next 5 miles to where we are camping.

Just a little down the trail is another bridge and there is trail magic under it. I got some peanut butter cheese crackers!

I had mentioned the other day that I was surprised at the lack of butterflies I had seen on Trail, today at lunch they are all around me.

Another great view of Mount Shasta, it’s getting closer.

Tonight’s campsite is on the top of the mountain. Tomorrow we will head down hill to the town of Dunsmuir for our zero, and to pick up mail. When popcorn was complaining about mosquitoes couple days ago, I told him typically they do not bother me they leave me alone and don’t bite very often, this campsite is a definite exception. They are everywhere. I rolled back my vestibules so I could have a good view of the sky tonight and they are swarming all around the outside. I think I’m frustrating them because they can’t get in.

Although I got into camp relatively early, 4 PM, I was not able to get to sleep early. I laid awake until almost 9 PM. I was able to catch a bit of a sunset which at this location honestly wasn’t that spectacular.