August 11
This morning I woke up and looked out of my tent. It was 515, darkness wise I thought it was still about 4:30 in the morning, so definitely light is coming a little later. It’s also much cooler. I got everything packed up and was walking across the footbridge out of camp. at 6:12.
This morning’s trail starts off, going through a number of large Meadows with tranquil streams, flowing alongside the trail.
Snow! I am in Northern California in August and I’m crossing snow! I get some more images here in the sun casting my shadow.
Eight pictures showing the 360° view from on top of a knob I just reached.
I’m just about at the top of my longest climb for today. I can look down at Meadow lake that looks to have a fairly significant campground on the far shore. Just a few moments later a second Lake came into view, French Lake.
I stopped at a Trailside Creek ate lunch, rested my foot for an hour, and then continued down the trail; less than half a mile later, I came upon Mac, Indie, and Appa. They are Trail angels with pizza, beer and fruit. I wish I would not have already had lunch, but it didn’t stop me from having three pieces of pizza, a handful of grapes, and a beer. The visit was fantastic and it gave my foot more time to rest
I love the geology of volcanic rock formations. Their shapes textures, and random appearance is awesome.
I met a hiker going southbound. His name is Light. He was due to start in April however, his wife Cheryl was diagnosed with cancer. He was with her through treatment and is now doing just a portion of the trail. I asked if I could pray for her, he seemed overjoyed, so I did with him right there. It makes my foot seem kind of un-important.
I crossed a grated vehicle bridge and got to where I was hoping to camp by a stream. I filled up my water, but there were no tent sites for the next mile and a half so I continued on the good news is the pain in my foot did not increase.
Today’s PCT miles hiked 17.7
Total PCT Miles hiked to date 1944.2
PCT mile marker 1185.8
(Returned to complete 542.8 miles flipped over)
Miles left:
Echo - Chester 146.6
Kearsarge - Echo 303.4
Snoqualmie-Terminus 259.5
Total 709.5
