August 16
I’m starting to adjust to the sunlight. I woke up at 6 o’clock packed up and was walking out of camp at 6:35. Just as I was about to leave another hiker, townword, bound came walking by the trail. I fell in behind him and start it off at much too fast at the pace. Today’s hike starts with a 5 mile uphill at 45 minutes. I needed to slow down. I stopped midway upslope took a quick break and reset for the morning.
Lookout Rock is a large outcropping that overlooks the valley. I took a selfie on top and it almost looks like I am Photoshoped in.
The next eight pictures are a 360° view from the top.
I stopped at another creek for another water break, I’ve been thirsty the last couple of days. There are a lot of beautiful, ferns growing with some small Alders, really peaceful place the waters pretty green and even after going through my filter is still a little green, but it taste good. Don’t quite know what’s up with that
I arrived at Buck’s Summit and worked on getting a hitch into town. Within five minutes Tom and Julie hold up stated they were local Trail angel‘s and would love to give me a ride. They drop me off at the post office or I was able to pick up my food resupply. I went next-door for pizza and sent a message to pounder another local Trail angel, who hosts hikers at his house. He came by a few minutes later shared some of my pizza and then took me to the local toy store that gives hikers a free scoop of ice cream. It was then on to his house or I showered got my clothes washed and relaxed for a bit.
Pounder has to work in the morning and is unable to give me a ride to the trail head. I posted on the Quincy, trail ángel page and soon had two offers. What an amazing town!
A little later we went for dinner at a local Mexican restaurant, that also serves Chinese food! Who knew? I got a fajita burrito and ordered some beef chow mein to take with me which I eat as soon as we got back to Pounders house. Thank you Pounder for amazing hospitality.
Today’s PCT miles hiked 13.3
Total PCT Miles hiked to date 2027.4
PCT mile marker 1269.0
(Returned to complete 542.8 miles flipped over)
Miles left:
Echo - Chester 63.4
Kearsarge - Echo 303.4
Snoqualmie-Terminus 259.5
Total 626.2
