Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Home To Mend

Wednesday: (06/29) We were up early, enjoyed the motel breakfast and were on the road. We got home about 1030.I wanted a good Burrito for lunch to replace the miserable one I had from the RV Park store. We all had lunch from the El Gruelense Taqueria down the street. Relaxed all afternoon. Leftovers for dinner.
Thursday: (06/30) Dawn and I were off early. I had an appointment at kaiser to have my finger looked at. No problem, just needs time. Thought it looks like it won’t take long to heal. It’s already less than half as big as it was after it first injured on Sunday last. Dawn visited a bookstore. On the way home we stopped in Mountain View at the Crepevine Restaurant for breakfast and shared a Philly Crepe. Then some grocery shopping before heading home. Later Dawn visited the library as I visited REI to look for shoes. They don’t have size 15 but gave me a reference on where to try to find them. Lou made a nice dinner of roast beef with baked potatoes, artichokes and corn on the cob.
Friday: (07/01) Lou made biscuits and gravy for breakfast. Avocado smoothies with grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. I visited the Zombie Runner store, the recommended Brooks Cascadia store. They didn’t have a pair of my desired Brooks Cascadia 11 in size 15 so I tried on a different model of Brooks and confirmed they still fit well at the heal with the additional length. Otherwise just relaxing today.
Saturday: (07/02) I visited our Ace hardware store and bought a human rat trap. Don’t want to kill any squirrels but do want to get rid of a rat or two seen around the yard and woodpile. I also installed some weeping tube in our garden planters in the greenhouse. The emitters are delivering too much water to them. I also finally got to my pack, cleaned it out, reviewed the food for the rest of the segment I was in, and washed my clothes. Should be ready when I can get to go back to the trail. Leftover spinach casserole for breakfast. Egg rolls for lunch. Bacon and onion Brussels sprouts, Spanish rice, and salmon for dinner.
Sunday: (07/03) Lou and i made a grocery shopping run. She also cleaned out the RV refrigerator so it’s ready to go to the shop on Tuesday. I worked on organizing and labeling photos for the past month or so. Dawn made salmon eggs Benedict for breakfast. Leftovers for lunch. I made grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner.
Monday: (07/04) I made corned beef hash and eggs for breakfast. Ernie manned the BBQ and we had a potluck dinner. Meili, Corturtney and Cceclia. otherwise a relaxing day.
Tuesday: (07/05) I was off early to deliver the RV to BTN garage. Then I walked back to the San Antonio Mall. I had a breakfast burrito from Sprouts market. I spent much of the rest of the day watching the steel workers erect a building skeleton at the mall. Eggrolls and an avocado smoothie for lunch. Steak and cheese sandwiches for dinner.
Wednesday: (07/06) Lou and I did some grocery shopping in the morning. Tinkered at home otherwise. Dawn made eggs Benedict for breakfast. PBJ toast for lunch.  I made Spanish rice with pork for dinner.
Thursday: (07/07) Leftover chili for breakfast. Lou and I were off later in the morning to deliver the jeep to the dealer. We had a 1030 appointment but when we got there there were 20 cars waiting to check in. bad day, even with an appointment. The Jeep had a “Service 4wd” light on. Eventually it was checked in and the provided a rental car since they didn’t expect to finish it today. Nice! I wanted a car with a smooth ride so wanted bigger wheels and no low profile tires. That eliminates most off their cars. I got a Dodge mini van. Rather big but a nice ride for Lou. Lou has attached herself to the Jeep rather that the Hyundai because it’s ride is better. We met at Costco and got a few things there before stopping at Bill’s Cafe for lunch. We shared an omelet and some soup. Then we went our separate ways home. I stopped by the building under construction at  the mall. I was just in time to see the mobile crane lift it’s last load of corrugated floor metal to the top floor then start its preparation to leave. It took 2.5 hours to prepare the it for the road. It took three trucks just to haul away the counter weights, probably about 70 tons of weights. Only a crew of three to disassemble the crane. plus all the truck drivers. Amazing organization. Just in time the trucks drove up, were loaded and back on the road. Leftover corn on the cob and French fries for dinner. Lou and Dawn made some peanut butter cookies.
 Friday: (07/08) Leftovers and a banana peanut butter smoothie for breakfast. I called about the Jeep after lunch. They said it was ready. I drove down to San Jose to get it. turns out they did a recall item and a software update test drove the car for 12 miles and didn’t get a code for the 4WD fault, cleared the previous errors and returned it to me. I drove a couple of miles and the fault appeared so I returned to the dealer. They checked the codes and decided to order a new power transfer unit (transfer case) they should get it in a couple off weeks. I met Lou and Dawn for dinner in Milpitas at the Black Bear Diner. Lou needed some prime rib. I looked around the Great Mall and did some shopping.

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

PCT MM1375 To MM1361, Old Station

PCT MM1375 To MM1361 Subway Cave Campsite 0628160618_HDR
Tuesday: (06/28) I decided not to wait at the Subway Cave for pickup. I toured the cave then hiked on down 4 more miles to Hat Creek RV Resort. I arrived about 0930. I enjoyed an ice cream and a root beer. I showered and washed my clothes. I was then ready for public smelling.
PCT MM1375 To MM1361 Old Station Hat Creek RV Park 0628161445_HDR
I hung out in the laundry room a lot because it had power outlets to keep the phone charged as I used it. In a low signal area, my phone eats it’s battery quickly. Ernie never got my texts about my move until after he had gone to the Subway Cave. He arrived at the RV Park about 1745. We headed off to Red Bluff and spent the night at the Best Western Motel there. Nice place with an aviary, a koi pond and house cat
I met the following hikers today: Unnamed (woman through hiker skipped snow),
Ice Woman (through hiker), Axeman (through hiker), Turtle, Half-fast, Professor (in laundry room, section hikers, the “three guys over 60″).

Monday, June 27, 2016

PCT MM1391 To MM1375, Subway Cave

Monday: (06/27) I was up at 0515 on trail 0640. More hot rocky uphill trail. I stopped for several long breaks. At the Lost Creek trailhead I hiked down the steep trail and brought up 6.5 liters of nice cold creek water. Others may carry 1-2 liters, I carried 12 and added 6.5 on the same desert crossing.
PCT MM1391 To MM1375 Cache 22 0627160638_HDR PCT MM1391 To MM1375 Cache 22 Killer Chair  0627160639_HDR
As I passed Cache 22 i took some photos of including the killer chair on the right.
PCT MM1391 To MM1375 Hat Creek Rim  0627160803a_HDR
The trail continued along the rim. Stopped for the night at Subway Cave, MM1375. I called for s ride home. Cut finger, both feet hurting and I’m needed at home.
I met the following hikers today: An unnamed hiker passed my camp at 0500, The Brit Family Robinson (mom, dad, son, and daughter. Through hiked to Kersarge Pass the skipped to Truckee), Unnamed (through hiker), Ironwoman (older woman through hiking, skipped Sierras), Unnamed (section hiker), three Unnamed (Through hikers)

Sunday, June 26, 2016

PCT MM1405 To MM1391, Castella

PCT MM1405 To MM1391 Crystal Lake  0626160638_HDR PCT MM1405 To MM1391 Crystal Lake   0626160642a_HDR
Sunday: (06/26) Started early and enjoyed seeing the geese I’d been hearing all evening and night out on the lake with come pelicans.
PCT MM1405 To MM1391 Crystal Lake   0626160654_HDR PCT MM1405 To MM1391 Crystal Lake  0626160753_HDR
Really pretty small lakes. On the right is hte last good water for the next 25 miles.
PCT MM1405 To MM1391 Castella 0626160910_HDR PCT MM1405 To MM1391 Hat Creek Rim  0626161417_HDR
The trail wandered across some grassy valley bottom then up onto the Hat Creek Rim.
PCT MM1405 To MM1391 Castella 0626161417a_HDR PCT MM1405 To MM1391 Cow Pond  0626161707_HDR
Continued on to MM1391, Cache 22, an unmaintained cache. I had been looking forward to arriving because it was about the halfway point and there were chairs to sit on in the shade. Upon arrival there was no shade but I tried to enjoy the chairs for a sit. The one I chose collapsed and cut my finger seriously. There was a campsite nearby and I’d done 14 miles so decided to camp here. I setup the tent then did some first aide on my finger. It’s the left hand middle finger but it is the hand I use to lift my bag onto my back. I’ll see tomorrow if it means stopping the hike for a while. Otherwise today was a nice walk, hot and uphill so I stopped to rest several times.
I met the following hikers today: Homestretch (a girl through hiker), Strata and Oats (through hikers), and Peabody ( a through hiker)

Saturday, June 25, 2016

PCT MM1416 To MM1405, MacAurther Burney Falls SP

Saturday: (06/25) Up sort of early but after my other camp mates had packed and left. I washed my clothes at the wash trays by the showers and hung them to dry.
PCT MM1416 To MM1405 MacAurther Burney Falls SP 0625160813c_HDR PCT MM1416 To MM1405 MacAurther Burney Falls SP 0625160820a_HDR
I then walked out to see the falls. Three views of the falls. From the top (left) and middle of the trail to the bottom (right)
PCT MM1416 To MM1405 MacAurther Burney Falls SP 0625160824_HDR
The view down by the pool above left.  A nice pair of osprey were nesting above the falls. Some otters playing in the pool below.
I stopped for breakfast at the store shortly after it opened. I then waited around by the store charging my batteries. About 1100 I returned to camp, changed into my now almost dry clothes and packed to leave. I stopped on my way out for a nice chicken sandwich and orange juice then hit the trail at 1300.
PCT MM1416 To MM1405 MacAurther Burney Falls SP 0625161543a_HDR PCT MM1416 To MM1405 MacAurther Burney Falls SP Flower 0625161615_HDR
These 11 miles were rather exposed. Some nice flowers by the trail.
PCT MM1416 To MM1405 Wild Bird Cache 0625161625a_HDR PCT MM1416 To MM1405 Wild Bird Cache Table 0625161658_HDR
I really enjoyed some great trail magic about a mile before Hwy 299. Cold drinks and a banana. Yum!
PCT MM1416 To MM1405 MacAurther Burney Falls SP 0625161759_HDR
MM1405 at 1900 camped in an oak tree forest above Crystal Lake.
Met the following hikers today: Sam Sam I Am (a through hiker from Sidney, Australia),
The Brittany Girls (ages 62 and 68, section hikers from Spokane).

Friday, June 24, 2016

PCT MM1439 To MM1416, Burney Falls SP

PCT MM1439 To MM1416 Burney Falls SP 0624160919_HDR PCT MM1439 To MM1416 Burney Falls SP 0624160952_HDR
Friday: (06/24) I was on trail at 0630. I wanted to get here before the store closed at 2000.
PCT MM1439 To MM1416 Burney Falls SP 0624160952c_HDR PCT MM1439 To MM1416 Rock Creek Falls 0624161528_HDR
Passed Rock Creek Falls about 4 mile before getting to MacArthur Burney Falls.
PCT MM1439 To MM1416 Lake Britton 0624161727a_HDR PCT MM1439 To MM1416  Lake Britton Dam 0624161739_HDR
Britton lake and dam above, about two miles before Burney Falls.
PCT MM1439 To MM1416 Burney Creek  0624161829_HDR PCT MM1439 To MM1416 Burney Falls SP Root ber Float 0624161851_HDR
Enjoyed a rootbeer float and a Philly sandwich for dinner. I also picked up my two packages. Lou had sent a spare battery for the phone because I thought it was dying too quickly. May have just been no cell service. I then, after being at the store for over an hour, noticed a power outlet and started charging my phone and spare battery. So, I finally walked down to the hike and bike camp which is located about as far away from the store and showers as possible. I sent my status email to home and then took a shower.
It’s a weekend so they’ll be  busy most of the time so I took my shower even though it was 2230. Time to relax and finish chsrging my spare battery.
Also, at one of my water stops I dropped my phone in the creek. Luckily it seems OK. Arrived at MM1416, Burney Falls SP at 1830.
Met the following NoBo hiker: Haircut (English girl flipper and Bluejay older woman flipper, Rainbow, Gringo (Through hiker), ShaqDiesel (girl through hiker), Heatwave and Slims (Section hikers finishing this year), Batwoman (through jumper).

Thursday, June 23, 2016

PCT MM1459 To MM1438, Over The Top

PCT MM1459 To MM1438 Over The Top 0623160746_HDR PCT MM1459 To MM1438 Over The Top 0623160756_HDR
Thursday: (06/23) On trail 0710. 2 miles to the top. The rest of the miles were supposed to be rolling and generally down. They seemed more like they were generally up. It doesn’t matter my direction, it’s always up.
PCT MM1459 To MM1438 Flowers 0623161103b_HDR PCT MM1459 To MM1438 Mushroom 0623161107_HDR
The white flowers above left are a favorite of the bumble bees. On the right is a mushroom ball I saw.
PCT MM1459 To MM1438  View Of Mt  Shasta 0623161144_HDR PCT MM1459 To MM1438 Fruit Looks Like A birds Egg  0623161231a_HDR
Another Mt Shast view. On the right is a littlle fruit ball that lookss like a robins egg.
PCT MM1459 To MM1438 Over The Top 0623161234b_HDR PCT MM1459 To MM1438 Snow On Trail 0623161324_HDR
The trail was more over grown nd there were snow patches.
PCT MM1459 To MM1438 Mushroom 0623161436_HDR PCT MM1459 To MM1438 Mushroom  0623161506_HDR
Nice little yellow mushroom grew here and there on the littered ground. There were some nice flowers as well.  I stopped about an hour before I ate dinner to make my soup. Much better after an hour brewing. After dinner I hiked a couple more miles to camp at Kosk Spring. 21 miles today. 22 more to Burney Falls. MM1438. GPS: 41.136045, -121.770934
Hikers met today: Yahoo (Section hiking from Burney), Gandof (Section hiking from Chester), Tipsy (Girl section hiking from Lassen), High Mileage (Flipflop from Tahoe), Dave (Through hiker skipped snow), English girl (Through hiker) camped with me.

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

PCT MM1475 To 1459, Deer Creek Spring

PCT MM1475 To 1459 0622160935c_HDR PCT MM1475 To 1459 0622161027a_HDR
Wednesday: (06/22) On trail at 0725. Nice weather. 3000′ climb today.
PCT MM1475 To 1459 McCloud River  0622161057b_HDR PCT MM1475 To 1459 Deer Creek 0622161704_HDR
Nice break by the McCloud River.
PCT MM1475 To 1459 Deer Creek Spring Campsite 0622161849_HDR
I camped at Deer Creek Spring, real cold high flow spring with a single campsite. MM1459. GPS: 41.135484, -121.985971
Today I met the following NoBo hikers: Alaska, Geeko He jumped up to Truckee), Flu (through hiker), Gazelle (Jumped to Sonora), John (Through hiker), Longdrink (Section hiker from Burney North), Nesquik and friend (Through hiker jumped from Bishop to Donner), Unknown (Through hiker), Skippy (Through hiker).

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

PCT MM1491 To MM1475, Squaw Valley Creek

PCT MM1491 To MM1475 View of mt Shasta  0621160831_HDR PCT MM1491 To MM1475 0621160907_HDR
Tuesday: (06/21) Another Mt Shasta View. On the way up the hill I kept hearing bulldozers and chain saws. On the mountain across the valley is an example of the logging activity. The log little circles every few years and it seems to work more naturally the clear cutting.
PCT MM1491 To MM1475 Squaw  Creek 0621161220a_HDR PCT MM1491 To MM1475 Flowers 0621161246b_HDR
Long lunch and foot soak at Squaw Valley Creek. Met Frodo and Samwise section hikers hiking from Truckee. Lots of little bumble bees and yellow butterflies.
PCT MM1491 To MM1475 Flowers 0621161247a_HDR PCT MM1491 To MM1475 Squaw Valley Creek 0621161352_HDR
Camped at MM1475. Enough mosquitoes to carry me and the tent away. Some hotter exposed trail today. Lots more overgrown trail as well.