PCT Day 96 – Bear Creek (1254.7) to Quincy (1269.7)

July 9, 2026

Total PCT miles: 14.9

Non PCT miles: 0

Total: 14.9 miles / 24.0 km

Total elevation gain: 3570 ft

Total elevation loss: 1306 ft

Steps: 36321

I was up well before the crack of dawn today. The low last night was 18 degrees Celsius and it was going to be hot today. The first thing I needed to do was climb out of the valley I was in near 3000 ft over 7 miles. I wanted to be sure that was done before the sun made it even more miserable.

I was up, packed and hiking by 0430am and walking in almost complete darkness. Which, given the state of the trail in this area with the many blowdowns and overgrown bush was probably not the smartest idea. Fortunately my ninja like prowess and incredible gymnastic skills along with years of only ever working night shifts paid off and I miraculously didn’t injure myself.

I was about 1/2 up the climb as the sun slowly started to rise and make the warm air even hotter. Then it happened… I was walking along the trail and I heard a crunching noise to my left. I turned and saw it! A large black bear ripping into a tree trunk. He was a good 100 feet away and hadn’t heard or seen me yet. I yelled “HEY BEAR” and it looked at me and then ran away.

Shortly after I came across “Cache 22” and “Problem Bear” who were heading down into the valley to do some trail maintenance. They said they were doing prep work for a log out that will happen next week. Thank goodness for these volunteers! I couldn’t imagine the state of the trail without them. They said that every year since the fire more trees fall every winter needing more work to clean up.

I reached the top of the climb well before it got too hot and was making really good time. The lure of town food is strong! I stopped briefly to fill up water at lookout spring and to watch a deer who seemed confused by my presence. From there the rest of the trail was basically flat (not really) and I managed to get to the road by 10:00. That’s almost 15 miles by 10:00. I think I need to wake up this early every day.

At the road I met Merlot who was already trying to hitch a ride and later was joined by Wilfred who I had summed Forester Pass with. There wasn’t much traffic on the road but after 30 mins a man in a pickup truck pulled over and took all three of us. Now it may have been all three of us in the back of the truck where there are no seat belts down a twisty turny mountain road… I believe it’s a thru hiking tradition to do this at least once.

We were dropped off in “downtown” Quincy in front of the Hub which was great. Here they let hikers do laundry and take showers. The laundry is key because none of the motels in town have laundry facilities apparently. After laundry I checked into the Gold Pan Motel and resupplied. Basically doing everything I would do on a zero today because I plan on hitting the trail tomorrow.

I also got my free iced cream at the Toy Store which was amazing! Expecially today when it is 30 plus degrees out.