May 22, 2012
Day 26 and 27
Miles: 47 (over 2 days)
Total Miles: 431
Did some good miles these last two days! Yesterday, May 21st, I did 23 miles to Sulphur Springs CG - an old abandoned campground with no water but a flat space and a big shade tree. I was the only one camping. Other than running across Ben T. back at the boy scout campground at mile 401, this was a solo day of hiking. A hiker named Bear, who is not hiking the trail this year, left a nice cache of bananas and apples on the trail. I ate two bananas and took an apple to go. What a great suprise and really helped me feel like things are starting to look up. Thanks Bear!
Many of the miles today and yesterday were road walking due to an Endangered Species detour put into effect a few years ago to bypass the breeding area of the Mountain Yellow-Legged frog, and because of the Poodle Dog Bush Detour. The endangered species detour added an extra mile of walking and a 2.7 mile road walk on Highway 2. The highway was not busy so this was not a bad road walk. The PDB detour, however, resulted in dirt and/or paved road walking for 18 miles. This plant is apparently all over trail in places and there is no way to avoid it unless you walk an old mountain road that parallels the trail.
I hiked mostly alone today as well but met up with Eddie at Messanger Flats CG. He is section hiking through to Tehachapi I believe. He carries a bible and holy water and blesses the ground each night before sleeping. He is also a Boy Scout (Eagle perhaps) and is an active leader with his troop. Nice guy!
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| Rattler poised to strike! |
Many of the miles today and yesterday were road walking due to an Endangered Species detour put into effect a few years ago to bypass the breeding area of the Mountain Yellow-Legged frog, and because of the Poodle Dog Bush Detour. The endangered species detour added an extra mile of walking and a 2.7 mile road walk on Highway 2. The highway was not busy so this was not a bad road walk. The PDB detour, however, resulted in dirt and/or paved road walking for 18 miles. This plant is apparently all over trail in places and there is no way to avoid it unless you walk an old mountain road that parallels the trail.
I hiked mostly alone today as well but met up with Eddie at Messanger Flats CG. He is section hiking through to Tehachapi I believe. He carries a bible and holy water and blesses the ground each night before sleeping. He is also a Boy Scout (Eagle perhaps) and is an active leader with his troop. Nice guy!
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| Burned trees from the Old Station Fire in 2009 |
Hey Russ, I am enjoying keeping up with from faraway China.
ReplyDeleteHey Russ,
ReplyDeleteI am a friend of your Dad's and following your blog from China. I have read books about the PCT but it is cool to hear about it from a real person.
Rob...thanks for reading! I'm a little behind due to no internet on the trail for the last few weeks but I'll be updating tomorrow.
DeleteNice meeting you at the kick-off. Keep the stories and picts coming Russ! Love reading about your adventure! Wish I were able to make it out there this year, so jealous! Just gives me more time to prepare for next year. Happy trails man!
ReplyDelete-J