9/10/2023
Section: Milepost 1074.4 to 1050.2
Total Trail Miles: 1887 Miles
Distance: 24 Miles
Moving Time: 10:48 hrs
Elevation Gain: 4,081 ft
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Was a bit chilly this morning. Okay, not that chilly, but enough that I put my puffy pants on! Pro tip out there - puffy pants? CBTM. Light weight, compressible and super warm - these things are made for cold mornings! They will get you out of bed.
Anyway, we were up and at it around 6:30 this morning, headed south towards highway 4. The route today begins by climbing out of the shallow bowl we slept in last night, eventually gaining the eastern shores of Lost Lake East and West before passing under “The Nipple” - yea, can’t make these names up. The trail then descends to Blue Lakes road, crosses it and bottoms out at Tamarack lake in an area densely populated by little lakes. From here, the stage climbs past Wet Meadows Reservoir and reaches a local peak on the east side of Raymond Peak - shout out to my lil’ brother-in-law. At roughly 20 miles in, the PCT crosses Eagle Creek and passes into the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest before circumventing Upper Kinney Lake. The day ends at Sherrod Lake with a great view down to Kinney Reservoir.
We were off like a shot this morning. The trail was pretty clear so we made good time. Before long, though, we started to run into, of all things, avalanche damage. We crossed below some eastern facing ridges and ran into the tell tale signs of deep winter avalanches. Trees criss-crossed the trail and we were slowed as we picked our way through. We did hear a sound we hadn’t encountered in quite a while - the unearthly scream of a PIKA! Amanda turned back and grinned at me upon hearing the sound. These little varmints are the absolute best to come upon out here.
Near Lower Sunset Lake we ran into a character we hadn’t seen in a long time. Sandy our PotHead Pal and her owner…who’s name I honestly can’t remember - doubt he can either. You may remember that on day 37 Amanda and I hiked the LA Viaduct and encountered a mystical character that was attempting to plot a course parallel to the PCT which allowed hiking with your dog. You may also remember that character being dumbstruck when we turned down his incredibly large bag of weed. Yes, this was the same guy. Seems as though he had made his way out of the lowlands of California and may have gotten through the Sierra. We said hi but he…didn’t remember us, which wasn’t too surprising. I gave Sandy a pat on the head and we chatted for a while before heading our separate ways.
The bags are heavy. I know I said this yesterday but DAMN they are brutal. Even with our nice Gregory suspensions this weight is killing us. It will get better but for now, it’s a load. We passed by Kinney lakes in the late afternoon. Gorgeous view down on both of them. I know we are out of the Cascades, but there is still a little holding on out here and there. The wind is howling through this section, compressed by the ridges which made for a bit of a battering as we made our way towards Sherrod lakes. Found a spot on their banks and set up our camp close to dark. We are starting to lose light - it’s not super evident yet but it’s not June anymore either.
Upon arrival I got some water and made dinner while Amanda set up the tents. I tried a new freeze-dried meal tonight. Mountain House’s “Adoba Bowl.” Not bad, not my favorite though and any weight out of the bag is good. We are alone here, on the banks of Sherrod Lakes, which is nice but also a little lonely. It’s weird knowing there are hikers all around but we are just spread out enough not to see one another. After dinner we cleaned up and I walked the bear canisters a good 50 yards away. We talked and read a little bit before passing out under a clear night of stars.
