I really didn’t want to get out of bed today nor did I particularly feel rushed to do so. It was suppose to be cloudy all day with a high of only 20. Perfect weather to hike and thus in theory no need to rush out of bed at the crack of dawn. All that said I was still on trail by 0630 hrs and it ended up being mostly sunny.
I wanted to make good miles today so I can get into Sierra City tomorrow. The post office is only open from 10-2 and I desperately want to ship my bear canister and a few other things home.
The trail today was monotonous. A few ups and few downs and no real great views to speak off. I mean it’s nature, is beautiful but after being spoiled in the sierra and around Lake Tahoe my current surroundings feel lackluster.
I saw hardly anyone today. No other PCT hikers and only 2 weekend hikers walking south. I occupied myself mostly by listening to EDM podcasts.
The “NorCal” blues are something many PCT hikers must over come. It’s caused by a combination of still being in California And feeling like it will never end, the thrill and beauty of the Sierra being behind you and the trail can get really lonely. I’m not really feeling it yet and maybe won’t.
I have made the decision that I will be skipping a section of NorCal. From Chester I will skip up to Seiad Valley thus missing about 250 miles of trail. This will still allow me to pass the 1/2 way mark on the PCT and give me th satisfaction of crossing the California – Oregon border. The reason is I want to be done early September – the earlier the better. This will allow me some much needed time at home to catch up with family and friends and relax before the next phase of my Sabbatical.
It’s not the most ideal, and technically I won’t have thru-hiked the PCT rather completed what is known as a LASH (Long Ass Section Hike). I’m okay with this – I’ll still have hiked over 2300 miles, which is absurd. Who does this anyways.
Thats my best case scenario. Next best would be starting back at Ashland Oregon which would be easier to get to via public transportation.
24 miles today puts me just over 10 miles to town so I shouldn’t have any issues getting to the post office in time!
Considering the mileage and the terrain yesterday I felt pretty good when I woke up this morning. The sun was rising behind me as I packed up my tent and got ready for the day.
It was a quick two miles to Donner Pass and an easy hitch with someone dropping off a PCT hiker to the Soda Springs General Store. I got there well before they opened so I sat on a chair outside. Chairs! Being able to sit with your back supported is something I most certainly take for granted in my normal life.
Today is the 4th of July and I think this is one of few stores open because it was a busy place from the moment it opened at 0800. I enjoyed 2 breakfast sandwiches, did a top up of my resupply and charged my power bank before heading off.
The hitch back to Donner Summit was also easy fortunately. They dropped me off at the Donner Summit Ski Resort. Here with your PCT permit they will give you a free 40 of beer. Several PCT hikers were there already enjoying theirs. My alcohol tolerance is basically 0 so I got mine and gave it to the group that were clearly in 4th of July party mode. You can stay at the bunk house here for 40$ but instead I had lunch and was on my way. But I wish I had stayed I was feeling off but wanting to make miles I didn’t listen to my body.
A few short miles after starting back on trial I developed a very painful headache and some nausea. I walked slow and took many breaks. It was hot out but the trail had lots of cover. I had drank plenty of water. It definitely wasn’t a caffeine headache and Tylenol or Advil did not help.
I ended up stopping early at the Peter Grub Hutt. These types of shelters are common on other Thru Hikes but this is the first non emergency use shelter going northbound on the PCT. It’s a little creepy so I found a place nearby to set up my tent.
The thing I dislike about camping near other people I don’t know is that I feel bad when I wake up early and start making noise packing up to start the day. It seems I typically start my day earlier than most hikers and often hike past sleeping hikers for the first part of the day. But alas the person camped next to me set up after I arrived so such is life. I was up hiking at 0530hrs just as I heard my neighbor start restling in their tent.
First I was treated to an absolutely amazing sunrise over Lake Tahoe. Definitely one of not the best I’ve seen thus far in this hike. Then only minutes later I found myself lying on the ground. I tripped, over what I don’t know and had this semi slow motion collapse onto the rocky terrain that was the trail. The weight of my backpack pushing me down I panicked when I couldn’t move my right leg. But fortunately it turns out my trekking pole had gone through my pants and because of the weird position I was in had it pinned. That said for the remainder of the day I had some new pain (I think it’s new, hard to tell when most things hurt most of the time) in my left ankle… the good one.
The morning started with the first of three climbs that brought me into Granite Cheif Wilderness. One at the top it was the first ridge walk of the day That finished when I passed the first ski resort of the day. I finished the Tahoe Rim Trail portion of the PCT and assumed it would mean less hikers.
I’m glad I’m still carrying this silly thing.
By the time I reached the second climb of the day the sun was out in full force and it was hot. I deployed my sun umbrella which thankfully kept me cool. On the way to the top of the climb there were several trail runners and a few weekend campers. I suppose it is July 4th weekend so the trail will probably be busy. On the way down I passed Olympic Village and at least two dozen day hikers. I chatted with several groups about the PCT
I took a long break before the third accent of the day. As I tried to figure out where I might camp. At the top is another ridge walk and may miles where Far Out had no indication of any camp spots. There is
limited water and I couldn’t camp where I was as it is private property for some University Ecogical Study area. I again deployed my sun umbrella and went on my way. I stopped at the last water source before HWY 80 and filled up three liters and finished the climb.
At the top was an 8 mile ridge walk that provided great vistas in all directions and tons of wild flowers. I hiked until I finally found a spot to camp about 2 ish miles to Donner Pass road which I’ll take tomorrow to Soda Springs General Store to get some real food!
I’m camped next to Sugar Bowl ski hill in what I’m sure is not an entirely legal campsite. But after 24 miles and 10000 ft of elevation change I could go no further. Unfortunately there is a concert somewhere near by that I can hear in my tent but I’m so exhausted I’m sure that won’t keep me up. They are currently playing Don’t Stop Believing….
I was planning on starting on trail today at 0500 hrs. It’s starting to get warmer during the day. It’s by no means hot but even at 21 Celsius which no clouds in the sky a 1000 ft exposed climb is no fun. But I made the decision to “sleep in” and started at 0600 instead. Fortunately it not too hot yet but that weather will likley hit soon. I was treated to a beautiful sun rise as I packed up my tent.
The first part of the day was hiking through the remainder of Desolation Wilderness. There were a few lakes but nothing as incredible as yesterday. About 5 miles into the day I took my first break and who happens to come around the corner but Pinecone and Sage! We caught up briefly they are both taking a few days off in Sacramento via Truckee. So today and tomorrow are likely the only days I’ll leap frog them.
After leaving Desolation Wilderness the trail was forest with not much to see for most of the afternoon. I occupied myself by listening to a History Channel podcast about World War 2 narrated by Tom Hanks. I’m definitely going to need to download more podcasts. Hiking alone most of the time means I need something to occupy the brain.
At Barker Pass Trailhead there was trail magic. Victoria and Tyler were set up and providing BBQ and cold drinks to Tahoe Rim Trail and PCT hikers. I enjoyed a burger, hotdog and cold drink and some conversation before heading on my way.
I stopped earlier than anticipated as from here the PCT goes along a ridge I think and there are no campsites indicated in FarOut for another 8.8 miles. Which I had no intention of trying to accomplish today.
Tomorrow is another day and I plan on starting at 0500!
PCT Day 86 – PCT Mile 1073.8 to South Lake Tahoe (1091.1)
June 29, 2026
Total PCT miles: 17.3
Non PCT miles: 0.0
Total: 17.3 miles / 27.8 km
Total elevation gain: 2927 ft
Total elevation loss: 3983 ft
Steps: 39899
It was another cold night but not as cold as last night. There was also no wind so I again slept with the door of my tent open. I wasn’t in a huge hurry to start the day and surprisingly I wasn’t overly sore from yesterdays efforts. I waited for the sun to start peaking over the mountains before I headed on my way. Today is a town day but before I get to town to enjoy all it has to offer I have 17.3 miles to hike. Less than ideal as it means I won’t get into town until the late afternoon. But the fact that I will have covered over 75 miles in two full days and 2 partial days of hiking is pretty darn good.
Today started with a climb up and over Carson Pass (9068 ft). Really it was less than 1000ft climb from where I was and I made pretty good time. On the other side I arrived at the Carson Pass Information Centre around 730. The volunteers that work here are amazing and provide trail magic to PCT hikers. I waited for them to open at 8 but one of the volunteers was there early and gave me a can of sprite!2 I was joined by the group I’ve been leapfrogging and a few other hikers here.
The trail from here to South Lake Tahoe is mostly downhill. It starts relatively flat through meadows of wildflowers and eventually joining the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT). The PCT and TRT follow the same path for about 50 miles. There were a few spots that provided amazing views of Tahoe – well mostly the lake and the airport far of in the distance.
The last part of my day was a steep 2000 ft decent on my way to the Echo Summit trail head. This was mostly stone steps and you really need to watch out for ankle busting rocks. I passed a few TRT hikers on the way and stop and chatted with Merlot who just got on the PCT as she is starting where she left off.
I arrived at the trail head at around 1400 and managed to get a hitch into town pretty quickly. I was dropped off near the transit centre and immediately spotted the Golden Arches and couldn’t resist.
Tahoe is really spread out But fortunately there is a free bus that takes you from one end of town to the other. But since there was a Big 5 sporting store here I decided to do one of my town chores before going to my hotel. Both my pairs of underwear have some significant holes in them and are now causing some significant discomfort so it’s time they get replaced. They didn’t have much to choose from but hopefully what I got will do the job. At least they had a July 4th 25% off any one item sale!
I hopped on the bus all the way to the other end of town where most of the hotels are. Tahoe borders Nevada and literally a few blocks from me are giant casinos and a lot of other touristic things. So this is where the majority of the hotels are. I splurged a little and got a hotel that has a hot tub because I deserve it. It was also one of the only ones I could find that had laundry on site. Fortunately it also has the most comfortable bed I’ve slept on this entire trip. Unfortunately there is also a full length mirror so I’ve finally had a good look at what Thruhiking and associated weight/muscle loss is doing to my body.
Im hoping I can get my resupply done early tomorrow so I can enjoy at least some relaxation. I don’t see to many zeros in my immediate future. Probably more Nero sandwiches (two Nero’s in a row where you resupply and get out of town faster).
