Mile 80 to 101 Barrel Creek
Putting up my tent last night and using earplugs was a good call. I was actually able to sleep, even with the wind!
I woke up a little after 5:00 and was on the trail by 5:55. Today was going to be a long day. It was 21 miles until the next water source and it was sure to be a hot with the temperature in the 80s and lots of exposed hiking. The one saving grace was that there should be a stocked water cache 11 miles in at mile 91.
Hiking in the morning is by far my favorite time to hike. The temperature is low, the sunrise and early morning light are beautiful, and the wildlife is out. Today was no exception. Burnout and Baldy left at 5:30 so I had some catch up to do. I average 3 miles per hour over average terrain, which is a little faster than them, so I knew I would see them again soon.
I made good time and my legs and IT band felt good. Thanks to the stretching I did last night.
I also took my first poop on the trail. Up until now, I have been lucky enough to use campground facilities that have been near the trail. Sorry dear reader, not everything is sunrises and sunsets out here :-p. You would be surprised by how often we talk about bowel movements out here.
Back to the trail….I arrived at the spur trail to the water cache around 9:20 to see three men coming up the trail shouting at each other. Saying things like “did you find it?” and “where’s the water?” As one of them passed me, he declared, “there is no water.”
Well there was water. It just goes to show that you really need to trust and rely on yourself out here and take what others say at face value. Ultimately, you are responsible for your own well being and safety.
Another episode from today was when I was hiking with Burnout and Baldy (B&B).
Around 8:30 in the morning, we passed a male hiker sitting in his sleep clothes next to his tent on a very windy and exposed ridge. As we passed, he asked us how we were on water. We told him we had enough to get us to the cache. He then told us he was a little short, without giving details on the exact amount of water he had left.
We told him it was only 5 miles to the cache. Which someone should be able to cover easily with 1 liter of water or without almost any water in the early morning hours.
We kept moving, but discussed the situation. We all agreed that if we were short on water, we would have woken up before dawn and then hiked the 5 miles to the cache before the sun rose. Why this guy was still sitting in his pajamas next to his unbroken down tent didn’t make sense. If he directly asked for water and said he had run out, I am sure we would have given him some, but his actions and words didn’t seem to jive.
After I got water at the cache, I hiked until 11:10 and stopped in the shade to make my big meal of the day, picante beef ramen, which I ate with some fig newtons. After 30 minutes, I decided to walk the rest of the 6 miles to Barrel Springs, my camp for the night.
One big thing happened just before I got to my campsite, I PASSED THE 100 MILE MARK ON TRAIL!!! Not only that, but today was also a personal best for milage covered in a day at 21 miles!
Life is good.
Thougts/Observations:
The mountains out here are very different than the tree covered mountains of the east coast. The desert shrubs don’t get more than a few feet off the ground and are spread out. When you look at a mountain you can see through the vegetation to the dusty brown soil. It feels like you are seeing a mountain without it’s makeup on.
Wildlife: wild turkey, sparrows, lizards, Mexican Jays (I think)
Dude, you’re a pro. Less than 2,550 miles to go. You got this!
It will be fascinating to see how the vegetation changes as you go from region to region. I bet there will be a lot of variety…
Mexican Jays are mostly in Arizona/Mexico… Those are probably California Scrub Jays. Similar blue/grey overall, but the CA scrub jays have white on their neck/throat. And the back isn’t entirely blue (some grey in the middle). Of course, if the lighting is just right, perhaps during a romantic sunset, I’m not sure they’d know the difference. 😉
There’s also a Stellar’s Jay in that area. All blue and black with a crested top of the head (looks like a tee-pee, like a cardinal). Could be that too…
OK. I’ll stop with the birds now. 🙂
You are the best bird resource I have!
Quite the milestone, 100 miles! Glad you found the water. Your word imagery of “a mountain without it’s makeup on” is wonderful…I can see that.
WOOHOO CONGRATS ON HITTING 100 MILES!! I don’t remember trying the beef picante ramen yet….may need to make that one of my next camp breakfasts
I’ve been eating ramen chips aka dry ramen. Ok in a pinch
Pics are beautiful. I especially liked the wild turkey. For some reason, he always crosses the road in the same spot at the approximately the same time, guess we are both creatures of habit.
Regarding shady hiker, whether he was looking to take advantage of others or just irresponsible, hopefully he learned a lesson that will serve him well as he progresses along his own path. Love you.
I meant to say that I see a wild michigan turkey on my way into work:) most days.
Congratulations on 100 miles!!! And on a good night’s sleep! Trek on!
Wow–100 miles!We are loving following you. I’m forwarding them to Lee.
Congrats!! Glad to know what you are seeing and touching in the PCT. We knew that nature in the state is magnificent. I’m so exciting too through your adventurous stories. Keep on the awesome work!
“a mountain without its makeup on” I’m enjoying this trail blog immensely! I have been slowly saving up to thru-hike the AT for a few years now. However, between a few trips to southern California and Washington and reading your blog, I’m sold on the PCT. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for reading Shae! I am sure that every long trail has its good points, but the PCT has been absolutely stunning everyday, and some people say the best is yet to come in the form of the Sierra and the North Cascades! Personally, I am really looking forward to Washington. I hope your thru-hike comes sooner rather than later. This lifestyle is amazing.