Friday, October 9th, 2026

Mount Shasta again. Getting a bit bored of seeing it as the PCT circled around it.

Just kidding. 🙂

After taking a side trail off the PCT to fill up at the first flowing water in 18 miles, I came across this ON TRAIL:

I was so focused on the ‘next’ water source after those dry 18 miles that I didn’t think to just continue a half mile further on the trail to get an easy fill up.

Before the Oregon border, the last stop was Donomore meadow and creek.

And Donomore cabin. It’s a nice little stop on the final approach to Oregon. I signed the hiker’s log inside, looked around, got a little more water to have enough for dinner and breakfast, and looked at the pit toilet.

The pit toilet was a pretty nice one as far as wilderness bathroom options go. Not having to ‘go’, I passed on using it.

And after the cabin, next stop is…

Not long after I approached my revised goal for the year.

Oregon!!!!!

After1,694 miles hiking from the Mexican border over 146 days on trail, I had reached my first and last major border. It wasn’t Canada, but completing the entire PCT in California was a significant achievement for me. One that I may never be able to top (but I’ll still try).

So, as in any major milestone on the PCT, it’s selfie time!!!

And to enjoy a celebratory Diet Coke… err… Cherry Pepsi!!

After signing the PCT log book and taking a lunch break to enjoy my achievement. I had reached Oregon and NOT died of dysentery!

I could turn around and head back to Seiad Valley, but the PCT segment ends at I-5 Siskiyuo Summit near Ashland and was closer. Might as well finish the segment to make restarting the trial in 2027 easier. Besides, there was NO way I want to re-climb that steep trail up from Siedad Valley again. 😀

The trail continued north, but I had to verify a few times that I was going the right way. Southern Oregon looked a whole lot like Northern California. 😀

Once I confirmed I was indeed going the right way and was, in fact, in Oregon, I enjoyed the views all around me.

Oh, I’m in Oregon so that must be Mount Hood or Mount Saint Helens!

Nope, still Mount Shasta. The trail was running along the southern face of the mountains as it headed east, so the view was of the Northern California I had just left behind. I wasn’t even sure if you could see either of those Oregon mountains from this far south.

Mount Shasta still looked great from any angle.

And then…

1,700 miles hiked on the PCT from the Mexican Border!!!

The second major milestone for this day. Unlike the 1600 mile marker that I had to make from twigs myself, there was a 1700 marker that some other PCT hiker had made out of bigger twigs.

With that milestone achieved, I started to look for a campsite with a renewed earnest. With the forecast still showing a 30% chance of rain overnight, I needed to find something sheltered from the rain and wind. Since the trail ran along the side of Big Red Mountain, flat areas were hard to come from. Trees were also rare along the ridge at first.

Not for the first time during this restarted hike, I hiked late into the day as the Sun started to set behind me.

I did find some campsites with glorious views. Unfortunately, they were completely exposed and I would have to move on.

I passed up a couple possible campsites that were in the woods, but not quite enough before finding one that hopefully was sheltered enough.

I made sure to position the tent to handle the wind and secure the guy lines to make sure the outer rain fly didn’t flap against the inner tent and transfer moisture inside the tent.

I went to bed hoping the forecast rain wouldn’t materialize and dampen my last day or two on the trail.

Mile 1686.1 to 1702.3 – 16.2 miles total hiked on PCT

18.1 miles until end of PCT CA section R / OR section A