Tag: PCT

Day 99: July 10th
Mile 1317.9 to Chester, CA

Today we hiked to Chester, CA where a package was waiting for us at the Post Office. Both Deb and I received new shoes (we have been wearing our old shoes for 630 miles, since Kennedy Meadows South). We both got new Platypus water containers to replace leaking ones, and Lon got new smaller size pants.

The grocery store here is one of the best along the Pacific Crest Trail so we were easily able to purchase food here.

Chester is a very hiker friendly little town. Robert and Shannon happened to be restocking coolers of drinks and fruit for hikers at the PCT highway crossing and gave us a ride into town. Dr. Webb (the town dentist) gives hikers gift certificates for a local restaurant (along with toothpaste and floss). The laundry was across the street from a place that serves some of the best milk shakes we have ever had.

We stayed at the Antlers motel, “the cutest little thing in Chester!” We happily took the last room available and were delighted that laundry, grocery, banks, and food were all nearby – hikers hate walking anywhere off-trail, in case you were wondering.

Mileage: 16.8

Day 98: July 9th
Mile 1296.3 to Mile 1317.9

Today was a day of climbing as we continued the climb out of Belden and then made the usual climbs that the Pacific Crest Trail makes as it meanders across mountains. We climbed 4,700 total feet today.

We are about 17 miles from the town of Chester, CA where we have a package waiting for us at the post office, and where we have to buy more food for the next leg of our journey. Trail food is getting a little boring at this point but we eat it anyway.

We also passed the 1,300 mile mark this morning. The 100’s are beginning to go by faster now!

Mileage: 21.6

Day 97: July 8th
Mile 1275.4 to Mile 1296.3

Lon said town days and trail angel stop days only had to be 15 mile days In this section to allow us a few hours to stop hiking on those days to indulge in extra activities like meals, showers, and laundry. So of course we hiked almost 21 miles today despite our stop at the Belden Town Resort to eat a very good lunch and repackage our food bags from a box of food we sent to the resort. We got in at noon and resumed hiking at 3:30 pm.

We liked Belden for its convenient location – the trail literally goes right by the front door of the resort before crossing the bridge over the river and climbing the mountains on the opposite side on the canyon. There is a restaurant, bar, and small store – and it was very hiker-friendly to all the hikers today.

We intended only a 5 mile climb partly up the mountains after lunch but climbed an extra mile to escape an old campsite that was burned and trashy and downright creepy. And it had begun to rain too. But we are happily camped in a new spot with some other hikers tonight.

Photo: Moss covered trees in Plumas National Forest.

Meage: 20.9

Day 96: July 7th
Mile 1260.7 to Mile 1275.4

Today we hiked just 4.5 miles before we took some time to visit the wonderful trail angels at Honker Pass. Nancy and Terry Williams and their extended family are amazing but not listed in any Pacific Crest Trail guides because they only open their lovely vacation cabin to hosting hikers a few weeks a year. You will know if they are open if you see a sign on the trail.

Five of us stopped by Honker Pass and were treated to excellent food, showers, and laundry. Their hospitality is amazing, all hikers agreed!

Deb and I could only stay a few hours because we need to hike the 70 miles to Chester, CA by Thursday to pick up some gear being sent to the post office (which is not open on weekends). Especially important is new shoes for both of us: the Sierra snow and wet trails (now a distant memory) was hard on our shoes.

Lon weighed in on the Honker Pass scale at 160 pounds, 27 pounds lighter than when he started hiking on April 3rd. He is looking so fit! Deb is holding steady at 103, but will be packing more carbs in her pack this next leg.

We departed Honker Pass in the afternoon and hiked about 10 more miles before making camp for the night.

Mileage 14.7

Day 95: July 6th
Mile 1238.7 to Mile 1260.7

Today’s highlight was the very refreshing Middle Fork of the Feather River where we soaked, cleaned up, rinsed the dust out of clothing, and relaxed for a few hours.

Water was more plentiful today as we crossed several lush and green creeks after the Feather River, including Bear Creek. We had views of wooded canyons all day long and although we were doing a big 8 mile climb after leaving the Feather River, we seemed to stay midway up all the mountains we rounded, never quite reaching a ridge with an open view.

We also saw our first rattlesnake today, which is amazing considering how far along in the hike we are. It’s not uncommon for Pacific Crest Trail hikers to see a half dozen rattlesnakes before leaving Southern California. I guess our early start (April 3rd), and the cooler weather, cut down on our sightings.

Photo: Bear Creek

Mileage: 22

Day 94: July 5th
Mile 1216.1 to Mile 1238.7

Today was a pleasant day of hiking mostly through wooded mountains. We saw few other hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail today as most of them probably stayed in Sierra City for the Fourth of July. They will catch up to us in a few days however.

For the past 500 miles we have had little worries about water, but that is changing. This section is dryer with water sources farther apart. Not Southern California dry, but we do have to think about where the next water sources are. We also started treating our water with Aqua Mira again which we didn’t do in the Sierra to Echo Lake sections. The lack of easy water is also making it harder to stay clean. Our last shower was in South Lake Tahoe and our next is probably in Chester: Deb envies Lon’s short hair!

Mileage: 22.6