Day 92: Smelling the Roses

Mile 1242 to 1257.4

We woke up at 5:00, and I could see Bedazzled looking at me to see if I was moving. “How about we sleep a little more,” I said, and we both rolled over and closed our eyes.

We got a sleepy start at 6:00 and made our way among towering trees as we slowly dropped elevation to the Middle Fork of the Feather River, which holds the designation of a national wild river. It is also known as one of the better swimming holes on the PCT. It was only 5 miles from our stealth campsite, and we arrived before 8:00, but the water was actually a nice temperature. What a change from the frozen lakes of the Sierra.

We proceeded to spend the next two hours there cleaning our feet, washing our socks, and enjoying the sounds of the rushing water as other hikers came and went. When we finally mustered up the motivation to keep hiking, it was already past 10:00.

For the first 10 or so miles of the day, my left knee was at about 75%, but we encountered a long uphill coming up from the river and near the top the ligament behind my knee started to get inflammed again and each step hurt. We took a break and my knee improved. Before we continued another 5 miles to Lookout Rock, which commands a view of a deep valley and the rolling mountains that extend off in the direction of Quincy.

We climbed up on top of the pile of rocks, and I spotted a flat spot on a ledge below and made the off-hand remark, “I bet you could camp there.” Bedazzled’s eyes lit up and before I knew it we were climbing down to the ledge. It was definitely on the edge, but it looked safe enough and what is life without a little bit of excitement and danger.

Even though it was only 4:00, we dropped our packs and setup our cowboy camp on the ledge and under the open sky.

With time to kill, we practiced some German, took in the view, and reflected on the hike so far. We were in our sleeping bags as the sun began to set and we enjoyed one of our best campsites of the trail so far.

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9 Comments

Vicki on August 2, 2017 at 7:42 pm

Glad your taking it slower and resting more. It may take longer to reach your goal but will give your knee a chance to improve and heal. Hoping tomorrow and each day forward will get better. Loving the green scenery and warmer waters. So glad that Bedazzle is there to share this journey with you!!

Pat on August 3, 2017 at 5:44 am

That’s quite the “room with a view!” And slightly terrifying…

Glad your leg is better.

Aunt Betsy on August 4, 2017 at 4:22 am

I agree with Pat. Pictures are fantastic.
Reply

Peggy Montgomery on August 3, 2017 at 6:25 am

Good choice of sleeping quarters! Beautiful!

Dad on August 3, 2017 at 12:23 pm

Unbelievable view.

Johannes on August 6, 2017 at 12:26 am

Did I look right, when I saw a bootle of win in front of your cowboy-camp? I thought you go only with ultra-light-equipment. A bottle of glass isn´t very light. — Anywhere, you have earned it!!

Gute Besserung für die Knie.

Johannes on August 6, 2017 at 12:27 am

… ich meinte “für Dein Knie”
Reply
Owen Rojek on August 9, 2017 at 4:27 pm

I wish it was wine, but I think it was a water bottle with a filter on top. My knee is doing better, but I am still being careful. Thanks for asking.
Reply
- Johannes on August 10, 2017 at 7:33 am
  
  I enlarged the foto and again saw more a wine instead of a water bottle. But I believe you 🙂
  Reply