7/16/20; mile: 1,161; elevation 7,812 ft.
Compared to being home last month, this “vacation” from the trail was anything but. I only had two days to purchase and organize resupplies to get me to Ashland, OR (574 miles of trail!). With my friends and family being so kind AND close, they have offered to bring me supplies at trailheads and road crossings. Soooo, I had to get the packages set up so Sarah could mail them out. And then I had to try to schedule when and where I’ll be. The system I worked out was to get a 2-day window on the calendar and then I’d update my trail angel (via messaging using my inReach) as I got closer with a narrower window. By the day before the meetup, I would give an exact time for my arrival. For the most part, it worked out pretty well. The advantage of this strategy is I’ll only be carrying supplies for 2-3 days keeping my pack light and forgoing wasting time in trail towns. The disadvantage is that I was now on a schedule and not able to waste time in trail towns.
My son Peter drove me up I-80 back to the Donner Ski Ranch where I got off the trail. We sat outside eating a late lunch (me downing an entire pizza…doh!). As we sat, some more of my trail friends came out to play including SOCO, Red Meat and Dark Horse. SOCO was hitting the trail today, but Red Meat and Dark Horse were in need of resupply. Lucky for them Peter offered to drive them down the road to the nearby market. Meanwhile, I hit the trail.
It was certainly a late start, and the dark clouds looming overhead didn’t look good. At least I wouldn’t be on any exposed slopes or peaks for the rest of the day. This part of the trail is very popular being that road access is so easy. The exposed granite makes for beautiful views and a wonderful place for rock climbing. With the heat and my belly full of beer and pizza, that sounded like a horrible idea. The views and the storm clouds kept me motivated to keep moving.
The trail crosses underneath I-80 and then loops to the west close to the westbound rest stop at the summit. One last use of a real toilet and a chance to top off my battery pack as I cameled up on water for the climb up towards Castle Peak. The granite views are gone as the trail meanders and climbs through trees. And climbs. I’ve hiked this section before on a training hike, so it’s familiar. But it’s also different. When I did this before, I didn’t feel like I was living here or this life, just taking a weekend off. I had had a goal to reach a couple of lakes and that was it. Now, I’m on a quest so to speak. The day’s destination is flexible (even if I still had to make a scheduled meetup). That’s the joy of a thru hike.
At Castle Pass, I take a break (no more climbing today!). As I took in the sights of Castle Peak, two couples came up the trail behind me. One guy is a West Point senior, the other Army ROTC, and then their girlfriends. After some idle chit chat, I find that we have the same destination today; the Peter Grub Hut. In a previous life (like way back last century), my friends and REI coworkers would come up here in the winter on skis. More than once we dug snow caves to sleep in just because. Since my time here, volunteers have installed solar powered lighting in the cabin, but there’s no way I’m staying inside. I’ll give the cabin (and mice) to the couples; you’re welcome.
It’s kind of a nice sunset this evening, but the mosquitoes are threatening to ruin the mood. The water source is a short walk away. Without snow, this area just doesn’t look familiar at all. So weird. So, here I am, back on trail. It’s so peculiar to look at the map and my hiking distances in relation to my preconceived ideas of this trip. This is the beginning of longer days, bigger miles and more trees; a green tunnel so to speak. It’s also when hikers start hitting emotional lows (or so I’ve read). Let’s go find out.
Savior out.
“But it’s also different. When I did this before, I didn’t feel like I was living here or this life, just taking a weekend off. I had had a goal to reach a couple of lakes and that was it. Now, I’m on a quest so to speak. The day’s destination is flexible (even if I still had to make a scheduled meetup). That’s the joy of a thru hike.”
THIS. This right here. The Trail is a special place, mostly in your mind. It’s hard to express that feeling you get when you wake up on the trail, in the woods or in town, on a 6 month quest. It’s a magical feeling I am trying to cultivate here at home, with some success. Reading about your journey, with words like that, helps.
I look forward to catching up with the rest of your recent posts!