I woke up and packed up, had some breakfast, and was walking out of camp at 6:07, said goodbye to the river that I am crossing in a moment. I was able to find a few rocks to get across dry, and as is the case on this trail most days, I start with an uphill climb.
I look out over these amazing views and just think about their beauty. I’m having a rough morning I don’t know if it is because I’m hiking alone again, I pushed hard yesterday, I’m apprehensive about a possible storm rolling in tomorrow, or the miles I’m hoping to make each day, but today is just a blah day. I feel like I’m hiking slow, without a lot of energy. I listened to an awesome sermon podcast from Elevation Church but my spirit is still a little low looking for that next pep in my step to show up and I’m confident it’s around the next corner
I’m not sure what it is about the moss covered trees, but when I enter rows of them, I feel a certain sense of peace
Another one of those picture perfect views
This is one of those times. I’m glad I stopped and turned around to see what was behind me. These rocky straight face cliffs are pretty cool.
Absolutely beautiful lake down below me as I come over a pass. I also have a small snow field I need to cross. Two options are scamper over rocks above the snow or go across the traverse. Ultimately, I decided on a mix of the two I even stopped, and with take charge in mind, put on my micro spikes
Again today, I’m passing many small streams on trail, it is also producing many clusters of beautiful wild flowers. The last stream serves as my second breakfast break area and has beautiful views.
After my second breakfast break, I had a grueling 13+ percent grade uphill for a solid mile. They got the endorphins going though and I felt good. I am Walking through yet another burn scar. However, the ground cover is coming back to life.
I’ve come up and over another pass as always bringing beautiful views and two more lakes down below me
Another great wide open view from the trail
This Wide Green leaf plant with flowers that are pink in the center with a white bar is called the Quill-leaf Lewisia.
As I round the corner, this lake comes into view in it’s entirety. The trail parallels high above the shore of the lake before turning and going over a pass removing it from view as quickly as it came in.
I arrived at the Etna Summit Trail head and found a space off to the side of the parking lot to set up my tent. There is a Trail angel here who is a hiker that went off trail due to injury. Her name is "Tracks" and she gave me a bag of chips, a cheese stick, Gatorade, and a cutie orange. It was a great pre-dinner snack. I ate crawled in my tent and hopefully I’ll fall asleep quickly.
Today’s PCT miles hiked 20.6
Total PCT Miles hiked to date 1056.8
PCT mile marker 1600.8
(Flipped over 542.8 miles)
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