Day 119&120 Miles 1314.7-1359.1

Day 119

Start: 1314.7 End: 1332.8 Total: 18.1

Slept in until a bit after 6 and then took my time packing up and eating while waiting for Mantis to be ready. We met an older couple, Gingerstep and Dealer who left just before us but had stayed at the same campsite. A different hiking group we had met at the music festival also rolled into camp and was getting water. That group consisted of Tinder, Queen Bee, Paparazzi, Kapow, Shark Bate & Space Cowboy.

We had gotten enough water to make it 15 miles or to Chester as the other water options also required an off trail quest downhill to a water source. We soon passed Dealer&Gingerstep and walked on as the other group stopped to chat with them. It was a beautiful ridge walk before a bit of steep switchbacks up a climb and returning to the burn zone.

After the climb the trail evened out a bit before dipping down and passing the midway point. I officially hiked half of the PCT!!

After the midway point it was a cruiser downhill for 8 or so miles hiking through the burn zone from the Dixie Fire.

The Dixie fire had destroyed the surrounding area in 2021. Decimating 1 million acres and obliterating the entire forest surrounding Chester, CA

After getting to the road I got a hitch into Chester and went to the Pine Shake Shack where I treated myself to a 32 oz milkshake, a double burger and fries. After that I went across the street to where a bunch of other hikers were hanging out at the pay showers/laundromat. I dropped off my bag and went to the dollar general for a quick resupply. Then after putting $3 in the shower it didn’t work so I settled for a garden hose shower.

Later in the evening we got a ride back and slept near the trailhead near Beer Run, Mango, Fish Fry, Payload, & Hilldoggo.

Day 120

Start: 1332.8 End: 1359.1 Total: 26.2

Had a hard time falling asleep due to the proximity of the road and brightness of the moon. We watched a movie before falling asleep which probably didn’t help.

The hiking was almost entirely continuing through the burn zone but with not much change in elevation to start.

We 3 miles to the first water source & then 6 to the next. We took a dip in that river before going 6 miles uphill. There was a brief section of alive trees which was very welcome. We even got to see one of our first views of Mt. Lassen.

Unfortunately the green didn’t last and we were back in the burn zone. We planned on going to a lake at the top of the hill. The comments said the water was still flowing. We passed a stream .4 miles before the lake without filling up. Assuming we could get some at the lake outlet or worse case the lake.

However, to our disappointment the lakes outlet was no longer flowing and was just a stagnant puddle. The lake was also guarded by thick weeds that made access impossible. It was 3 miles to the next water source. I had only a sip left but did not want to go back .4 in the wrong direction.

We had a quick lunch, and as today was our one year anniversary we celebrated with a hostess cupcake before trudging on for a dry 3 miles to the next water.

I left before Mantis as I was anxious about getting to the water. There were a couple small ups and down and it was so so hot outside. I saved my last sip of water until halfway there. There was a mom and 2 baby dears walking right in front of me on the trail for a bit. I the. walked by a sulphur lake.

I got the water we agreed to meet at and chugged some water before going to sit in the shade on the bridge. I was so sleepy from the day and Mantis was taking his time. I drifted off to sleep as I waited for him and was startled awake a half hour later.

After he arrived and went for a swim and filtered water we left around 5 pm with 8 miles still to go. We had a good climb out of there and the sky was starting to be a bit hazy from nearby fires.

We went up and then evened out, crossing some smaller streams and a bigger one. Mantis was really feeling the miles in the evening. I needed to go 26 so I could get my package at the post office the next day before 3pm.

We made it to lower twin lakes and had the site to ourselves. Probably because of how bad the mosquitos were. I bet Mantis a beer the other hikers we camped with the night before would not be there and I was right! They had pushed on a bit. We went for a swim at sunset before I hurried to set up my tent and cook dinner in there. Mantis got 10 mosquito bites on his lower back when he was bending over taking his shoes off. They were brutal!

As we prepared to go to bed a deer was right by our shelters. I had peed a bit too close to my tent not realizing that deer have a fetish for human pee. The deer and its family were having a field day right next to us before and after we went to bed! The deer had no fear of us.