PCT Day 118 – PCT Mile 1998.7 to PCT Mile 2020.7
August 1, 2026
Total PCT miles: 22.0
Non PCT miles: 0.0
Total: 22.0 miles / 35.4 km
Total elevation gain: 4314 ft
Total elevation loss: 2562 ft
Steps: 54025
Remaining Distance: 634.3 miles
I had a real hard time falling asleep last night. I tossed and turned in my tent until at least 2300 hours before I finally fell asleep. Fortunately I wasn’t planning an early morning because I wanted to enjoy breakfast pancakes from Magic Mike but when my alarm went off I certainly did not want to get out of bed.
Pancakes and French toast are the perfect way to start a long hiking day. This was amazing trail magic and I’m very greatful to have been fortunate enough to arrive here before they leave this weekend. It was great to meet Magic Mike and his gang and chat with the various hikers last night and this morning.
I said my farewells and was on the trail around 0730 hours.It was less than an hour before I reached the 2,000-mile point on the PCT. There’s no official monument here, but someone has built a large “2000” out of sticks beside the trail that’s impossible to miss. I stopped for the obligatory photos and took a few minutes to appreciate the milestone.
Although I’ve skipped a few sections because of injuries and time, it still feels surreal to have made it this far. I’ve hiked roughly 1,700 miles to reach this point, and that’s a distance that’s hard to wrap my head around. When I started this journey back at the Mexican border, 2,000 miles seemed almost unimaginable. Now, with just over 600 miles remaining, Canada finally feels closer than Mexico.
Continuing along the trail the rest of the day was a mix of burn scared areas and green forest. The temperature was much cooler than it has been with a high of only 14 degrees and cloudy. Unfortunately the wind was also blowing hard which I’m sure is not helping the many forest fires. For much of the day I could see the smoke rising from a fire that are fortunately for me quite far away to the east.
The day brought me around Three Finger Jack, had great views into some of the valleys below and finally finished in a campsite where if there were no clouds would have an amazing view or Mt Jefferson. I leapfrogged a few north bound hikers and had 5 or 6 southbound hikers go the other way.
It’s going down to 2 degrees Celsius tonight which will make this the coldest night since Sonora Pass. Unfortunately I’ve sent most of my warm stuff to Timberline lodge but fortunately my sleep system is so warm I should be pretty comfortable.
2000 miles! What a milestone my friend. Not sure we can really fathom the accomplishment entirely.
Pictures are beautiful and love getting the daily stories. Hang in there! Canada feels you getting closer too! Stay safe 🙂