Day 19 on the PCT

We are up early and eagerly on the trail as Glenn will be picking us up at Echo Pass with an ETA of high noon! We are moving out at 6:30 am, a record for us. We have an immediate 2 mile climb but then settle into a gentle meadow and make our final descent into south Lake Tahoe/Echo Pass. We pass several serious trail runners, all running up hill, yikes! We arrive on time and Glenn greets us with cold beverages and a warm welcome. We dust off and climb into his brand new car and head for Carson City. After 20 days on the trail and 208 miles behind us we decide to explore the dessert towns of Carson City and Reno! I head back home on August 6 to Hilo, Eleanor is off to Minnasota to visit family and Bill is not sure what to do next!

The end for us

We have arrived

Carson City 

Last night 

tree hugging

happy threesome

Tahoe coming up

all smiles

one nighter

Day 18 on the PCT

love my poles

water hole

cuddle time

friends

trucking on

on the trail

Meiss Cabin

OMG, cold morning with a thin layer of ice on the sea to summit water dish! Seems too cold for just 8607 ft, must be the wind and damp air. Goal is a pleasant 10 miles ( mile 1074 to mile 1084) much of it through a beautiful meadow past the headwaters of the Upper Truckee River and the Meiss Cabin. The near proximity of south Tahoe enables many more hikers and equestrian types to share the trail with us. EVERYONE seems to have a dog  that they share their day with. They appeared to be "nice" dogs, no barking or growling. We have lunch at the Carson  Pass ranger station which is jammed packed with day hikers, horses, and dogs! Volunteer docents provide us cold water and we are able to unload our garbage and empty fuel canisters. YES, our packs feel lighter. We make our way to our final camp site at Showers Lake which is mile 1084 and at an elevation of 8559 ft. Campsites are large and level, remember we love those kind! Bill, El and I go for a delightful swim and bask on the sun warmed rocks hugging the lake shore. The "gang of 5" join us, a group of hikers we have shared the trail with since Sonora Pass. We close our day with anticipation and mixed emotions about the ending of a rewarding and breathtaking hike. The raw beauty and simple routine of walking daily down the trail brings me happiness and joy.

fresh water and garbage cans!!

Thanks to Kit Carson!

Day 17 on the PCT

tent city

home sweet home

back-ups

We are all up and ready to go by 7:30 am with a goal of 12 miles. Half mile map shows just one water source between us  and planned camp site of mile 1074 at 8607 ft. We fill up our water capacity for a total of 10 liters. We have a steady 3 mile climb up to and over the "Nipple" with a constant blast of cold air gusting up to 50 mph. Quite a hairy section of the trail and glad the wind was blowing us toward the side of the mountain and not DOWN the steep sides. We pass the beautiful vista of Lost Lakes and watch the wind send strong ripples across the clear blue water. Eleanor had quite a lead on us and we have a moment of concern as to which "fork" on the trail she took. We arrive at the seasonal Forestdale creek and see Eleanor bearing a BIG smile filled with relief. Beautiful campsite near small ponds, great for a chilly wash down. End our day at 8607 ft with a pronounced chill in the air. Of note, we do continue to enjoy the freeze dried meals we are dining on as they are tasty and warm in our tummies! My favorite is the Mexican rice with beans, full of heat.

arms up

gang of three

reflect

night colors

ice for breakfast

Day 16 on the PCT

crossing highway 4

laundry

Day 15 on the PCT

Took off early for the campsite from hell! We did not know that in the morning. Got 12 miles under our boots and arrived at our water source, Nobel Creek. The creek was at the bottom of a steep canyon with minimal level areas to camp at unless we wanted to push ahead for 5 more miles. We scratched out 2 spots and hunkered down on a windy bluff at 8280 ft. Our days as you may now realize  are a series of hiking up and down, up and down with much appreciated breaks of level ground. Eleanor's ankle is holding up and so is she!

Day 14 on the PCT

Burrrrrr, chilly morning at 8902 ft. On the trail by 8 am with a goal of 10 miles or more. Hiked past a trail crew removing fallen root balls, hard work. A mule train lead by handsome "cowboys" passed us on their way to resupply and assist the trail crew. We come across less water sources and the trail is dusty. Points of interest included large basalt volcanic cones rising up through the granite rock, quite spectacular. We set up camp (9123 ft) along side a seasonal stream and enjoy a very cold wash down. I had my fleece jacket and down jacket on with a beanie, gloves, silk long johns, socks just to warm up. Must say clean hair feels so good! In bed by 7:15 pm, still cold!

Day 13 on the PCT

Our friend and trail angel Glenn Fry drove us back up to Sonora Pass, we also had Eleanor Hammond join us! Once we were 2 now we are 3! Started off strong at 9633 ft around 2 pm, hiked till 7 pm. On the initial uphill grind we met

a former executive director of the PCTA. He was reviewing trail work recently completed by volunteers. On our downhill leg Eleanor twisted and injured her ankle. She handled it well and kept on trucking till we set up camp at mile 1025 and elevation 8902 ft in the Carson Iceberg National forest. We hit the hay early as it is cold and we are tired.

Road trip

After dusting off our boots and pack we jumped in Glenn's car and headed down to Galt. We will resume our hike at Sonora Pass in 2 weeks. Rented a car and headed north. Did a quick day trip to Crater Lake, spent a night in Union Creek. Rolled into Corvallis to visit Luki and Wayne Hammond. Luki took us blueberry picking and we made fresh jam! Thanks Luki❤!

We then dropped in on Heather and Ryan McGrady in Gig Harbor, wonderful visit. Second stop was in Issaquah to visit Ray and Karen Skoff. We did a day trip into Seattle, had great street food and a fun evening in the adult "tree house" a crazy beautiful creation of Ray's! Back on the road headed to Astoria, beautiful drive to the Columbia River.

Fantastic dinner of seafood and if ever in Astoria check out 8 street Coffee for breakfast! Next port of call was Port Townsend! Explored town, checked out the marina and seagulls. Had delicious crab cakes and a comfortable overnighter at a renovated brothel. We made our way down the coast, a one nighter in Westport, almost one night too many! We dropped back in to visit Luki and Wayne Hammond in Corvallis and invited their daughter Eleanor to join us for the last leg of our hike, to our delight she agreed! We then called on our friends in Fairfax, Tim and Beth Sasan. Had such a wonderful visit with their family and truly appreciated their aloha.  We did a day in the city visiting Chinatown and of course the wharf. Love the bread!! Made our way back to Galt and Glenn so graciously drove us back up to Sonora Pass. Thank-you to Glenn and Sabrina for all their aloha and hospitality.