PCT Day 5 – PCT Mile 63.7 to Mile 84.7
April 9, 2026
Start mileage: 63.7
End mileage: 84.7
Non PCT miles: 0
Total: 21 miles / 38.6 km
Total elevation gain: 3491
Steps: 50595
The sound of air being let out of the mattress marks when a thruhiker has committed to getting out of bed, packing up camp and hitting the trail. Once the air has been let out there really isn’t any going back. You could continue to lie on the cold hard ground in your tent or I suppose you could refill your air mattress… but really once the air is out, there is no other option but to get at it.
I was hiking by 0600 am as the sun rose through the mountain valley. It was incredibly beautiful. The air was cool and the light clouds in the sky had me optimistic about today’s weather. The morning was mostly downhill on hard packed less rocky dirt so I made excellent time. Almost hitting 10 miles before 10 am. 10 before 10 is a common thruhikibg saying / goal.
I’m writing this but unsure if I will share this misfortune I had. Using the washroom in the backcountry for a deuce can be a challenging affair. Until this point including all 200 miles I walked in 2018 I have never had to do so on trail. First you must find somewhere private which is surprisingly not the easiest. We all share the same 2 feet of dirt trail and most of the time that’s the only path there is. This private spot must also have dirt loose enough to dig a “cathole”. This also can be challenging in this rocky landscape. Now fortunately I found just the place! Unfortunately I did not drop the bomb on the target. Even more unfortunate was loosing my balance and stepping on the landmine… ugh. Well I suppose I signed up for this.
I had been debating all day if I would go into Julian which is a very popular trail town or just continue to make miles. I need to be in Warner Springs (mile 109) on Saturday before the post office closes for my resupply box or I’ll have to wait until it opens Monday. I decided as long as the water cache under the scissors crossing bridge had water then I would continue on my way. The water cache here is reliably maintained and there are regular shuttles into town. I arrived to find plenty of water and a cooler with cold Gatoraid and beer. As much as the beer was temping i decided to stick with the electrolyte improving beverage. Many thanks to the trail angels that take care of this spot.
I filled up with 6 liters and headed on my way. The next few miles were all uphill and the clouds had given way to a bright sunny day. Fortunately the wind was strong enough to keep me relatively cool. I made slow but steady progress. Almost everyone must have gone into town because I didn’t see anyone else all day.
I had my second rattle snake encounter. Fortunately this time it gave me lots of warning! It was refused to leave its sunny spot directly beside the trail so I had to climb around on the right of it. Giving it enough space but still allowing me to keep an eye on its location.
After 21 miles my body said no more and I found a nice campsite sheltered from the wind.
Men really don’t understand how it can be difficult for us women to squat for the toilet and not soil our shoes, or the clothes we drop down to our ankles to go!!
This story was worth telling 🙂