MP 1289 Belden CA July 20. I am staying at the Bratten's here in this very small trail town. There are about a half dozen hikers here which is surprising because I have hardly seen anyone on the trail. Have 5,000 feet of elevation to gain walking out of here. Next step will be in Burney about 125 miles North. I should hit the halfway mark of 1330 miles tomorrow. I figure if i I can make it half way I should be able to make it all the way to Canada. I feel like I have been hiking with a renewed sense of purpose since Sierra City.
There are more people who successfully summit Mt. Everest every year than are able to complete the PCT, although many more will attempt the PCT than Everest.

 

MP 1266 Went swimming on the middle fork of the Feather River this afternoon with Groler Bear and Shaggy. Delightful swimming hole made me feel fully restored and hiked easily for the rest of the day. Coming up from the Feather River I came upon a small forest fire. The firefighters said it had probably been caused by a hiker. They cleared a path for me and I hiked directly through the still burning rubble. Had to gasp for air because of the smoke.
Ran onto my fifth rattlesnake of the trip. Score: rattlesnakes 5; bears 1. This snake didn't rattle. It is one of the charms of the rattlesnake that they always give you fair warning. This one's failure to do so offended my sense of justice and fair play, so I poked it with a stick    July 19

Swimming Hole:

Forest Fire:

MP 1241 cont'd Am now having to watch the water situation carefully, unlike in the high sierra. Am frequently treating the water with iodine and filtering it with my bandana. For the most part, up until now, have used the water untreated without ill effect.
Stopped by a little pond called Duck Soup Lake to gather some brackish looking water. At the edge I discovered about a dozen bottles of Heinekin beer which someone had left to cool. I studied that beer for quite while. It appeared that no one had been there for days or even weeks. I wrestled with the situation and finally left the beer untouched, not because it belonged to someone else but, rather, because of the realization that once I took the beer the empty bottle would belong to me and I didn't want to have to pack the extra weight out.

MP 1211
First day out of Sierra City. As with most trail towns there was a steep loss and gain of elevation coming into and leaving town, in this case about 3000 feet. The grades were gentle and weather cool. CAMPED ALONE AT summit Lake. After the initial elevation gain it was epic ridge walking in high winds.   

MP 1197 Sierra City, California. I arrived here on Friday only to learn that my mother had become seriously ill. Tried to fly back to Denver but, unfortunately, she passed away before I could get there. After several days off trail I now feel seriously ready to get hiking again which will give me time and space for reflection. Many thanks for all the help, consideration and kindness from the folks here in Sierra City.    July 14 to 1

MP 1135 - 1157 I left the Tahoe Rim Trail today and am now headed NW towards Mt. Lassen through the Granite Chief Wilderness. For the first time on this hike i saw no Northbound thru-hikers. I did see a few Southbound day or section hikers, but that is all. Water is becoming more scarce and the scenery less dramatic. the hiking can be monotonous. Have pulled a muscle in my back for which I take handfulls of ibuprofen. Elevations are much lower here than in the high sierras and the weather is, consequently, a lot warmer. I should be in Sierra City day after tomorrow for resupply and hopefully my new shoes will be at the PO. If not I am really screwed.     July 11

 

MP 1110 - 1135 Started hiking at 5 am. The number of thru-hikers on the trail continues to dwindle. Am camped on a windy ridge high above Lake Tahoe. Made 25 miles today and am exhausted.  Lake Tahoe below.    July 10

MP 1094 - 1100 After azero in S tahoe to buy shoes, I headed out from echo lake at about noon and walked 16 miles before camping for the night. I am following the Tahoe Rim Trail but the lake is a long distance away and only comes into view occassionally. Ironically I was unable to buy trail runners in Ss Tahoe and was told that the nearest place i could get them is Reno. I wound up buying a pair of shoes mail order from REI and now musthurry to Sierra City, 100 miles distant, to pick up the shoes before the weekend when the post office may be closed.

I have posted photos and some new text, explanatory of the photos, back to MP 705

MP 1094  Echo Lake, S. Tahoe
     Had to come off the trail because of the necessity of  buying a new pair of shoes.    Unfortunately I landed on a weekend which means that I have to stay over until Monday to mail my bounce box back out.   Looking forward I am dismayed at how much hiking I have to do and how little time I have to do it in.    I will have to start hiking much harder if I am to make it to the North Cascades before the snow begins to fly in September.   From here on I plan on hiking straight through to the end of California, about 500 miles, without another zero.   I would like to average 23 miles per day which means that there will be many days when I have to walk between 25 and 30 miles.    I should be able to post from time to time but I am unlikely to have the time to post photos.   Hiking now into the Desolation Wilderness to join up with the Tahoe Rim Trail.

Wildflowers.    The mountains are abloom with wildflowers now. 

MP 1083    28 miles today.   I  have been feeling very strong and energetic.   Camped at the headwaters of the Truckee River with Shutterbug, Goose, Momma Bear and Monkey.    I am not sure if I have mentioned Momma Bear and Monkey before.      They are a mother and her 8 year old daughter.   If successful,  the girl will probably be the youngest person ever to complete the PCT.     I was a little bit skeptical at first but having seen them walk over 1,000 miles now, I have to think their chances are pretty good.
         I stopped today to watch two bald eagles soaring above me and performing what looked to be daredevilish aerobatic stunts.    They put on quite a show.