150 Homes, Part 8

Miles 1598 to 1407

Halfway to the Sierras! Again! We are still journeying south through California, and we’re now passing through the bubble of northbound flip-floppers. It’s surreal seeing people whom we left behind weeks ago, with the knowledge that we’ll never see them again. They will reach the northern terminus way ahead of us, and some will then travel back south to finish the Sierras last.

The scenery has finally started reverting to desert, though we have been treated to many dank forests and even the occasional bear. Shasta was a constant companion in this section; we’ll see her again when we flip back up to Oregon.

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Night 74, mile 1583.57: our first day out of Etna led us off-piste to avoid a nasty snow stretch. We negotiated ankle-breaking rock jumbles on the top of a ridge, growing more disgruntled and tired until we arrived at this waterless but beautiful tent spot. Cal grabbed some water from a snowmelt stream and then we were set. #pctclassof2017 #pct2017 #150homes

A post shared by Betty And Tim Cameron (@bettytimhikes) on Jul 9, 2017 at 3:59pm PDT

 

 

 

 

 

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Night 75, mile 1563.55: we had just reached the Trinity Alps Wilderness when we camped near Mosquito Lake, which turned out not to be mosquito-riddled at all, unlike most other places in these parts. Water and shade equals biting things. #pctclassof2017 #pct2017 #150homes

A post shared by Betty And Tim Cameron (@bettytimhikes) on Jul 9, 2017 at 3:59pm PDT

 

 

 

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Night 76, Mile 1545.5: we left the PCT on a side trail down to Bull Lake, a secluded and gorgeous lake with a stunning view of Shasta. We spent the evening round a campfire, drinking tequila and screaming at the mountains to hear our own echoes. #pctclassof2017 #pct2017 #150homes

A post shared by Betty And Tim Cameron (@bettytimhikes) on Jul 9, 2017 at 4:00pm PDT

 

 

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Night 77, mile 1524.1: with not a lot of water in this section, we were forced to camp on a dirt road 800 feet above Picayune Spring. This evidently used to be a water source for loggers or miners, since an ancient overgrown road led down to the spring. Humping four liters of water back up the hill was definitely the highlight of the day. #pctclassof2017 #pct2017 #150homes

A post shared by Betty And Tim Cameron (@bettytimhikes) on Jul 9, 2017 at 4:03pm PDT

 

 

 

 

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Night 78, mile 1504.67: the Castle Crags Wilderness is a series of dense gorges surrounding a mighty craggy peak. We walked through virtual twilight and set up by Sulphur Creek. It was a moist night, and the mosquitoes curtailed much of our conversation. #pctclassof2017 #pct2017 #150homes

A post shared by Betty And Tim Cameron (@bettytimhikes) on Jul 9, 2017 at 4:03pm PDT

 

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Nights 79 and 80, mile 1498.7: we emerged from the Castle Crags wilderness onto the I-5 highway, where a lovely old trail angel in a wood-trimmed camper van gave us a ride to the town of Mount Shasta. We had chosen the motel online and didn't realise it was two miles from the rest of the group. Luckily the local pizza place (Say Cheese!) delivered, so we spent July 4th in our hot tub drinking beer and digesting cheese. #pctclassof2017 #pct2017 #150homes

A post shared by Betty And Tim Cameron (@bettytimhikes) on Jul 9, 2017 at 4:09pm PDT

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Night 81, mile 1482.1: we hiked sixteen miles out of Mt Shasta and ended up on a long-disused dirt road by Squaw Valley Creek. A nearby privy and a rushing river made for a convenient night. The rest of the group were camped a few miles behind, so we were all alone. The network of overgrown roads lends a post-apocalyptic feel to this area. #pctclassof2017 #pct2017 #150homes

A post shared by Betty And Tim Cameron (@bettytimhikes) on Jul 10, 2017 at 12:33pm PDT

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Night 82, mile 1461.41: there were very few tent sites in these dense woods, which led to our whole group of eight sharing a site designed for two tents, crammed in alongside a very patient French lady. When you've hiked 25 miles, you sleep anywhere you drop. #pctclassof2017 #pct2017 #150homes

A post shared by Betty And Tim Cameron (@bettytimhikes) on Jul 9, 2017 at 4:10pm PDT

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Night 83, mile 1437.9: another night on a ubiquitous disused dirt road. We set up as far as possible from the poop that someone had squeezed right onto the road and then decorated with toilet paper. The French lady from the night before had arrived first, and she looked on in horror as we prepared to surround her again. Luckily there was plenty of space for us further down the road. Later, Betty and I discovered that we had an extra Snickers bar, which is why this was the happiest meal on trail so far. #pctclassof2017 #pct2017 #150homes

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Night 84, mile 1415.9: we celebrated hiking a thousand miles by loading up on Coors at the Burney Falls general store and then enjoying hot dogs at the local campground, courtesy of Dad Jokes. We slept without our rain fly for the first time in weeks, a luxury only feasible in America. If this had been England, we would have woken somewhat moist. #pctclassof2017 #pct2017 #150homes

A post shared by Betty And Tim Cameron (@bettytimhikes) on Jul 9, 2017 at 4:10pm PDT

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Night 85, mile 1407.2: the Burney Mountain Guest Ranch is a new hostel that offers PCT hikers showers, laundry, a swimming pool, home-cooked meals and a very well-stocked little store. The owner is friendly and the prices are reasonable. One camper woke to find a perfect mountain lion paw print on their tent, but otherwise our stay was peaceful. #pctclassof2017 #pct2017 #150homes

A post shared by Betty And Tim Cameron (@bettytimhikes) on Jul 9, 2017 at 4:29pm PDT

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