Day 80-83: The Rug Really Tied the room together

July 24-27
Day 80-83
Mile 1197.5-1284.9
Highway 49 Sierra city to Four miles south of Belden
Day 80-Ooops we did it again
Today we woke with the idea of leaving the cozy Red Moose early and getting in a full hiking day. Nope. While we waited for our breakfast we drank coffee, chatted with many other thru hikers, and most importantly looked through yogi's CDT book.




We casually ate breakfast and chatted with people before going to the backyard to dry our things out from the previous wet day. Someones Western Mountaineering bag was drying too close to the dogs in the backyard and one of the dogs chewed on it a little before we could stop it. Luckily the hiker was able to stitch up the few tattered quilts of the bag and had a very cool attitude about the incident. We packed everything up and said our goodbyes to the Red Moose Inn and went down the street to the grocery store to eat more and resupply.




We got stuck there for awhile eating pints of ice cream and sandwiches while talking with Wolverine and Hee Haw. We finally left town with Jim and walked to the trail , as we were unable to get a hitch. It is funny that as soon as you get on trail you feel more relaxed, calm, and even safer after most town stops. It was a steep climb but after a few miles it was nothing but beautiful crest walks for the rest of the day.




Also, we passed mile 1200!




We hiked with Jim for quite awhile and passed Mr. C and Snow White at the end of the day. Since we left town late we didn't expect to go far but we ended up doing 12.5 miles total. It's was a great day and we are excited to get cruising on the trail. On the climb out of sierra city Jenna got stung by a bee on her leg. No big deal but it swelled up pretty good and I had to keep her from itching it.




Day 81-1234, 1234
It is funny that waking up in the desert at 7 meant we would only hike ~15 miles. In the north we are able to start hiking at 8 and do ~25 miles. Today was mainly a forest walk with very few exposed views.




It was still a great day and we each listened to some of our audiobooks and podcasts. Jenna listened to The Golden Compass and is now working on Alice in Wonderland. I read A Storm of Swords and am now working on listening to A Feast For Crows and the hobbit. I also listen to some podcasts. We leapfrogged with Jim, Mr.C, and Snow White for some of the day.




So far we love northern California and it has been much cooler than we anticipated. Today was one of the coldest mornings in quite awhile. Despite this it does get very hot during the days with some humidity and we are thankful that we have trees to shelter us from the sun. We ironically ended the day at mile 1,234.
Day 82-Fangorn Forest
Today we got up on time for a change and were both eager to hike. We had to hike 7 miles with a half a liter each for the first part of the morning. Once at a water source I went and got water for us while Jenna watched the packs. When I found the water it was only a tiny drip that took about fifteen minuets to fill five liters.




Unfortunately the water had lots of floaters in it and we didn't notice till we had treated the water with Aquamira. We filtered the junk out of the water with a bandana later in the day. Once again today was a very forested walk with almost no views. I am pretty sure I saw Mt.Lassen in the distance. It was beautiful hiking today but we descended 3,000 ft and started to see poison oak near the middle fork of the feather river.




A half hour after crossing the river we got rattled at by a rattlesnake. It scared us both, as we were not expecting it.




We climbed back up 3,000 ft to a ridge where we got some great views of the sunset. Didn't see a lot of hikers today but did see Jim a few times. He is a cool guy and we both like him.
Day 83- The Forest People
So far northern California is awesome. The nights have been cold and the days have been hot but with shade cover. We have been hiking in Plumas National forest for several days and today entered bucks lake wilderness.




After the easy morning hours we glimpsed the distant Lassen peak in the distance after the end of a large climb. We kept hiking and hiking trying to find a good spot with a view.




After awhile we found a good view of the area but not the peak and just stopped to eat while we were ahead.




The miles were easy today and we both felt like we could have done ten more miles at the end of our 25 mile day.




Belden is known for its weekend raves with music that can be heard for miles. It's Friday and we are curious to see if this is true. Nothing yet, it may be to windy. It was a great day and we have been putting in big miles this week, averaging about 25 miles a day. It is funny how our bodies don't get tired after 20 miles anymore but rather don't get tired till we near 30 miles in a day. We have both developed a fondness for Nutella and are eating a a jar between the two of us every two days. 1 jar is only 2000 calories.




We are both eating more than ever and still loosing weight. This is a delicious burrito with beans rice and cheese made on trail.




Jenna has lost 4-8 pounds and I have lost 30-32 pounds since we left home. We have ourselves an amazing spot tonight. Top five spots of the whole trail. It's like a treehouse!




-Natey

Days 75 - 79

July 19 - 23
Day 75 - 79
Echo Lake/ Tahoe - Sierra city
Mile 1094.5 - 1197.5

Day 75: Farewell

We had a big breakfast and mozied out of the campsite and back to Echo Lake. We said our goodbyes and stopped by the store for lunch and one last, delicious milkshake. We talked with Jim and Listener on the porch and , for only the second time in 75 days, it began to drizzle. By the time we left it had already stopped. We entered desolation wilderness and walked by many amazing lakes. Desolation wilderness is the most heavily used wilderness area in the US per area. It was cloudy and the combination of the grey sky and the mostly treeless section was really cool.












We passed 1100 miles!




As we were walking, we passed a couple who asked if we were from Utah. It turns out they are following our journal online and recognized us. That was so cool! We found a beautiful spot and went to bed early.




Day 76- Beautiful desolation

Last night was the kind of night when we were glad to have our tent that holds up to wind so well. It was so windy I hardly got any sleep. Nate, of course, slept like a rock. We were camped in a sandy area so when we woke up there was a layer of sand on everything in our tent. After we woke up however, it was a very pleasant morning that started with an uphill climb and continued to pass by the lakes desolation is so famous for and more wildflowers.








I entitle this picture, "walking off the edge of the world."




We ended the day by climbing up to an amazing view of lake Tahoe where we camped for the night.




Day 77-Late start

I woke up with neck pain and a headache. I peeked my eyes outside the sleeping bag, only to receive a sharp pain in response. Yup, that's a migraine. I took some ibuprofen and we slept in till 9. I have a feeling Nate didn't mind. When I could walk we set out not expecting too much out of the day. We entered granite chief wilderness.






The trail is finally starting to gain a nicer tread and after the rocky Sierra we almost feel like we glide over flat dirt trail.



We met magic bag and ate lunch with him and we leapfrogged with him and Jim again. Towards the end of the day we were treated to one of the most dramatic crest walks yet and it was so cool.








We were beginning to think we wouldn't find a spot when we saw a cabin up on the hill. We consulted our guidebooks which said it was a Sierra club hut. We checked it out but it was mice infested. Luckily there was a really good spot near the hut and there was an amazing sunset that I got a terrible picture of.










Even after the late start we were able to make it over 22 miles today.

Day 78- How many homeless people have an iPhone?

We woke up earlier today and hiked quickly to highway 40 where we met pebbles who gave us sodas! After that we seemed to just hike really slow and we weren't sure why. When we crossed I-80 we stopped at a rest stop to get water and eat lunch. A lady came up an gave us each a pair of non wicking, cotton, old socks and said it looked like we needed new socks. It didn't occur to me till after that she thought we were homeless. I forget sometimes what we must look like to people who don't know about the trail. We passed a lot of trail maintenance crews today and I realize I never get any pictures of them so I took one.



We were both feeling minor foot pains today so we just took it slow. We found an awesome spot in a thin forest and went to bed, blissfully ignorant of what was to come.




Day 79- Washington training day

"...penny sized hail with up to 40 mph winds...along with frequent dangerous lightning..." so reads the weather channel for Sierra City.

We woke up at 12:30 to thunder and lightning in the distance. We quickly put the rain fly up. We had a little service so we looked up the weather channel to see what we were dealing with. It rained and hailed all night and there was hardly 30 minutes without thunder and lightning. I envy nate for being able to sleep through some of it. At a time when we could have regretted our decision to come out here we looked at each other and smiled and, like two little children camping in our backyard, excitedly awaited what would come next. We stayed dry and warm all night in our tent. We are so happy with our choice. As soon as there was a break in the storm (~6:30) we packed up and headed out in our rain gear and waterproofed packs. Not 15 minutes later, the hail started again. It was so painful we had to stand under a tree to wait for it to stop. The rest of the morning was a game of waiting for one storm cloud to pass then hurrying over an exposed ridge until we found trees. Then wait out the next storm cloud under tree cover till we got to another exposed region. Rinse and repeat. Literally, rinse; we got drenched. Around 10, the sky cleared so we took all of our rain gear and pack covers off. We enjoyed the wet hike in cool, gloomy conditions.










We decided to stop for lunch and found a few nice dry rocks.
Within 30 seconds of sitting down (we didn't even have enough time to take our shoes off) it started raining. Not a light drizzle, but a downpour. There was no use in taking the time to put our pack covers on, we just threw them over the packs the best we could and huddled over our belongings trying to keep them dry (mostly unsuccessfully). We waited out this wave of the storm then sat as the excess water from the trees kept dripping on us till we had the will to move.


We got the tortillas out and went to grab peanut butter to put on them when we looked up and saw another storm cloud rapidly approaching. As we did with every one of these situations today, we laughed at the irony. We shoved a tortilla in our mouths and began hiking again. We eventually made it to Sierra city where we are camped in the backyard of the Red Moose Cafe. The hitch in was very easy thanks to a passing climber named Lincoln. Bill and Margaret have a restaurant that they use to give hikers showers, laundry, food, and camping. It is amazing here and such a great place to relax. We head out tomorrow again and can't wait!



-Be Free

Day 69 to 74: Where the Wild Things Are

July 13-18
Day 69-74
Mile1019.5-1094.5
Sonora Pass to Echo Lake/Tahoe
Day 69-Wet Feet
We left Sonora Pass early and were immediately hiking through beautiful wild flowers in pristine mountain country.




The hiking was not bad with mild ups and downs in the Carson Iceberg wilderness. We dropped below 10,000 ft for the last time on the PCT.




As we were getting water in a canyon Jenna slipped on a wet rock getting her foot all wet. As I was getting water for myself in the same spot I also slipped and fell in. It was even funnier when Jenna slipped and fell in another creek a few hours later. It is nice that there are few Mosquitos here but there are tons of biting flies. Mosquitos are much worse though so we are thankful for that. As the day progressed it got windy and clouds in the east started to build to an intimidating level. The wind was nice because it kept the Mosquitos at bay but we kept a weary eye on the clouds. Near the end of the day we were walking down a steep embankment and we both fell again flat on our backpacks. We found a nice little spot near Asa lake and as we were falling asleep we heard the sound of cattle bells.
Day 70-The Amazing Race
Today we woke up eager to get hiking. 7 miles in to the day we crossed Ebbets pass.




On the other side of the road were three other hikers watching the bike race. We found waited for a clearing in the bikes ad crossed over and chatted with them for awhile. The bike race was called the Death Ride and it looked just like it sounded. There were thousands of riders and apparently the race is around 100 miles and crosses five passes. We were right below the pass around a corner and every time a rider came up the hill below us to see the last hill of the pass they cursed.




After siting and watching the race for awhile we kept hiking and passed a large trail crew working on clearing some overgrown brush. They gave us cookies, chatted with us, and got an awesome picture for us.




We hiked on and ate lunch below some huge conglomerate cliffs. It really seems like we enter a new forest or wilderness every day.




After lunch we went up to a ridge where we got cell service and called our parents since they had not heard from us in awhile. We ended the day hiking 22 miles in a beautiful spot near Lily Pad lake. There were lots of owls around us hooting making for a nice way to fall asleep.
Day 71-This must be how celebrities feel!
The terrain in this area is so much easier than the Sierras. Most slopes are less steep and the trail is mainly dirt as opposed to loose rocks and steps. We got hiking today with an end destination in mind. We don't normally hike with a destination but we wanted to meet my family at Echo lake the following day. It was a cool morning hike through rocky terrain and lakes.




Early in the day we saw three US forest service rangers on a nearby road. They stopped and talked to us and gave us a few surveys. Afterwards they gave us apple crisp bars for the road. We hiked on to Carson pass through more wild flowers and jagged exposed peaks. When we neared Carson pass we began to pass hoards of day hikers flowing into the area. At Carson pass we came upon an information cabin where we were greeted by two volunteers at the cabin who gave us fruit, food, water and company for several hours.




While at the Carson pass cabin we talked to several of the hikers/ tourists about our adventure. Almost everyone thought it was amazing and really cool. After this much needed break we moved on in our mission to do 25 miles that day. As we hike on through wild flowers in view of lake Tahoe we passed several dozen other hikers.




We stopped and chatted with a dozen people about our journey. Everyone seemed really excited and in awe. We felt like celebrities today. We eventually got to camp after passing through some beautiful meadows and many more groves of wild flowers.








We really feel lucky to have made it this far and are both very proud of ourselves. We are still so excited for the rest of the journey and our anxious to see what still lies ahead.
Day 72-In Good Company
Both our iPhones were dead this morning so we had to rely on our natural clocks to wake us up.




Fortunately this was around 7 am. The hiking in to Echo lake was through a beautiful forest with lots of granite walls and boulders. On the trail we met a hiker who was quitting at Highway 50 because she had had enough. We all hiked through a blowdown section where we lost the main trail. Luckily the trail we followed eventually led us back to the real trail. Once at highway 50 we very carefully crossed. Crossing highways are the most dangerous part of any hikers day. Fast moving cars at Carson pass yesterday really gave us a scare. We anxiously hiked from the highway to echo lake where we hoped my family would be. We got to the lake and went to the post office/store. There we saw Kindergarden Cop, who was well, and another hiker who had hiked from Donner Pass to Echo Lake. After sitting for ten minutes I saw my dad riding his bike. I went over and gave him a hug and said hello. My mom came down to the store a few minutes later and I gave her a big hug too. We all went up to the RV and I gave my sisters and dog a hug too. It was really great to see my family, it has been awhile. We all rode in to south lake Tahoe to an outfitter where we got new aquamira, new shoes for myself, deet, and socks. We did some other errands and headed to our camp site at sugar pine state campground. Once there we did the usual emptying of our packs and my parents helped do our laundry the old fashioned way.








That night we ate plenty and sat around talking and watching Star Trek. It was a surreal day and we were both very grateful to my family for traveling all this way to spend time with us and help us out. Thanks Dad, Mom, Desi, Ang, and Glacier! It is really awesome to be done with central California. Jenna and I are very excited for what awaits us in this new section.
Day 73-0 Day with Nate's Family
It is nice to wake up in a warm bed once and awhile. Today Jenna and I decided to simply rest as much as possible. We ate a great big breakfast with my family and sat around most of the morning chatting. In the afternoon Jenna and I went to a coffee shop and pizza place in order to use wifi to upload some photos and videos. That is one unfortunate aspect of technology on the trail. Your days off all seem to be dictated by wifi. The media section of the blog is missing the entire central California photo album and I will post that as soon as I find a computer. After getting pizza and using the Internet we went down to the lake with my family and sat around. I went out on the lake with a kayak for a little bit. It was a lot of fun and got to work some muscles other than my legs for a change. That night we ate more food and sat down and watched the movie the Matrix. Jenna, Ang, and I also went on a late night bike ride. It was an awesome day and we got a lot if rest.




Day 74-Double Zero!?
Today was the first time we have slept in the same bed for more than two nights. We all got up and ate a big breakfast. Afterwards, Jenna and I got our packs and food ready before heading back to the pizza shop to use wifi. After a few hours we went down to the beach and laid around and played in the water a little bit with the family.




It will be sad to leave everyone. We have really enjoyed our time here and have gotten some much needed rest. That night we ate more food and sat around the fire and relaxed with the fam. Tomorrow we will begin section K and northern California. In Tahoe we have taken 2 full days off and another day mostly off. We are about half way done with the time we estimated it would take to do this trip. In a few weeks we will be halfway done with our miles. The pace picks up from here and hopefully our bodies are up to the challenge. Happy trails!



-Natey