PCT Day 95 – PCT Mile 1231.6 to Bear Creek (1254.7)

July 8, 2026

Total PCT miles: 23.1

Non PCT miles: 0

Total: 23.1 miles / 37.17 km

Total elevation gain: 2799 ft

Total elevation loss: 6325 ft

Steps: 54446

I had one of my better sleeps on trail last night, only waking up once before my alarm went off. The sunrise reminded me of those I saw in the desert section on hot days. This was definitely an omen of what was to come. I was packed up and on trail at 0545 and it already felt warm.

Over the next few days I will walk through the burn scars from two intense wild fires, the bear fire and the Dixie fire. The PCTA’s website advises that the trail is in a really poor state due to these fires with a significant number of blowdowns and overgrowth. Today and tomorrow I’ll walk through the easier of the two – the Bear Fire also know as the North Complex Fire which started on August 17th, 2020 when 21 fires were ignited by lightning and burned 318000 acres. The fires destroyed two towns and was the deadliest fire of the 2020 wildfire season.

All that to say the trail today wasn’t bad. The majority of the blow downs were easily walked over with a few that required some careful steps. The overgrowth would certainly be more annoying if you were wearing shorts.

This was my first time walking through a forest that has had a significant fire. It was eerie seeing all the dead standing trees but there was also lots of new life beginning to grow. The start of the burn section everything to the right was burned but everything to the left was untouched. Almost randomly it seemed you would walk through patches of untouched forest before returning back into the burned section.

Most of the afternoon was spent on a long decent into what I think is Franklin Canyon. As I decended I could feel it getting warmer and warmer and greener as I again left the burn area. At the bottom of the canyon is the Middle Fork of the Feather River flowing under an impressive bridge. I stopped here for lunch and contemplated a swim but the best swimming spot was occupied so I continued on my way.

I only made it another 3.5 miles. It was hot and I was tired when I arrived at Bear Creek. I would have liked to continue for a few more miles but the next campsite is about 7 miles a with almost 3000 ft of elevation gain. So I found a great place to set up my tent close to a spot where I could take a dip and cool off. Best decision ever. Well at least until tomorrow when I have to make the climb I’m avoiding doing today. But at least it will be on fresh legs.