PCT Day 104-106 – Double Zero In Medford to PCT mile 1744.2

July 17-19, 2026

Total PCT miles: 25.0

Non PCT miles: 0.0

Total: 25.0 miles / 40.2 km

Total elevation gain: 3894 ft

Total elevation loss: 3138 ft

Steps: 51545

Remaining Distance: 910.8 miles

Double Zero In Medford

The term double zero is really misleading. The first day was really an “admin” day and the second day more a relaxing zero day. My biggest hope was some rest would give my body a chance to recover a little and hopefully reduce the amount of pain I’ve been feeling while I hike. The second reason for the double zero was I plan on doing Oregon completely with resupply boxes to various resorts that are all either on trail or a very short distance from trail. This will reduce my need to travel into towns over the next 20ish days.

The first day I shopped until I dropped at the grocery outlet, Walmart (twice because I didn’t count the number of days I would ve hiking correctly), REI for new socks, shoes and a few other odds and ends and the post office to mail out my first box to make sure it gets there in time.

The first three boxes have 4 days of food in them and the last one has 2 along with anything I didn’t want to carry through Oregon. I decided to mail my warmer sleeping clothes up as the chances I need them are slim to none.

By the end of the day I had taken almost 30000 steps. Definitely not a zero.

On my second day I still had three boxes to get in the mail. My first box was rushed and I actually didnt put everything I wanted to in it. Unfortunately two of the boxes (Shelter Cove Resort and Timberline Lodge) had to be shipped with UPS and not by mail. Which cost more than I would have liked.

The rest of the day I ate lots of food, updated my blog and even watched a movie! It was hopefully the rest I needed.

July 19 – Medford to Hyatt Lake Campground (1744.2)

I wanted to get back on trail early today to get some miles in before it got too hot. This meant taking an Uber vs a potential ride via a trail angel. My initial plan has been to bus from Medford to Ashland and Uber from there but surprise, buses don’t run on Sundays in Medford.

I arrived at the trailhead shortly before 0630 and was hiking soon afterwards. Fortunately the smoke from the nearby Evans Creek Fire wasn’t anywhere as bad as it had been in town the last two days.

A few miles into the hike I came across a little bit of trail magic. Hollywood who owns the property here had left out a giant cooler of Gatorade. It was already hot and I was already sweating so I helped myself to half a liter.

This section is really really dry and most of the seasonal water sources that one can use in the early season are dry. I picked up an extra water bottle in Medford bringing my carrying capacity to 4 liters plus my GNOC filter bag. I hope to rarely need to carry more than 3.

Unfortunately my rest day seems to have done very little to reduce the amount of pain I feel throughout the day. Between my sciatic nerve, Achilles and other random foot pain it was sometimes hard to tell what hurt worse. To make it worse my back is also quite sore… probably from the hotel bed which was very comfortable but not very supportive. The pains are all weird as all I need to do I rest for 10 ish minutes and they resolve for a few more miles. But resting so often means longer hiking days with less miles accomplished.

Tonight I’m camping at Hyatt Lake. There is a PCT campsite here that costs 2$. There are washrooms with running water and hot showers and picnic tables here. So definitely worth the 2$. Unfortunately the site is small and full. After my shower I saw a doe and fawn walking around the campsite.

Fortunately the forecast is saying that tomorrow will be a bit cooler with clouds. I’m still planning a fairly early start to provide lots of time for breaks.