The remainder of California

I write this having completed the trail over two weeks ago, on August 31st,  but it is the first time I have had time in front of a computer and been able to update the blog since mile 1300, which was over two months ago!

I am sitting in the home of our very first Trail Angels on this journey, so I suppose in a way it is a fitting.  Our PCT adventure has come full circle.

But more of that later!  Let me pick up where I left off back in northern California.

We somehow ended up taking two full days off in Shasta City, and ventured back to the trail on July 13th.  The sunrise was fabulous.  We were reminded why we enjoy being outside in the elements.

Somewhere near Etna Summit we ran into a trail crew who fed us home baked cookies and fresh tomatoes.  I find it amazing that these individuals spend their vacations with picks, shovels and saws maintaining this trail.  What dedication.

We traveled through sections of the Trinity Alps, Marble Mountains,

and the Russian Wilderness, all of which are exceptionally beautiful.

This hike continues to be very different from my 09' hike.  While I was sweating profusely in this exact spot in 2009, in 2012 there has been cool, cloudy weather with occasional showers, and patches of snow that have not yet melted.

The TRIPLE TREE is a data point in our guide book.

 Berry season has finally arrived!

The climb out of Sied Valley was particularly spectacular as thunderheads swelled above us.

Mt. Shasta is STILL visible.  It has been for weeks!  The Pacific Crest Trail makes a huge detour around Shasta, originally approaching from the south, and then looping far to the West (at times even south!) before continuing north for awhile, and then eventually due East to end up just north of the majestic Mt.

The Oregon/California border is at mile 1,700 (depending on your source).  It is hard to believe that there are now less than 1,000 miles left before we reach the Canadian border, and that in this distance we will cross two states.  California is a HUGE!

We have hiked almost 1,000 miles of the 1,700 with the gang below:  L to R, Samwise, Joker, Hawkeye, Wrong Way, Kombucha, and Sweet As.

We celebrated by eating :)

Tiger and McGaffe made a few aquatic friends.



We traded in these shoes for new ones in Ashland.  Mine lasted ~900 miles, and Tim's ~800 miles.  (Remember Tim's shoes, they will make an appearance later!)

To be continued...