Mile 1261.7 to 1269.6 – 7.9 miles total hiked on PCT

Night comes before dawn.

Was the view to the east I have, Dawn was as spectacular as you’d expect.

Since I couldn’t rewind and watched the Dawn second time, I had to pack up my gear and head north on the PCT for the 113th time.

This sign freaked me out at first until I noticed the decimal points in the mileage.

Because there’s no way that Belden was 275 miles away. I probably bet if something I thought was two days away turned out to be 20 days away.

I crossed the first paved road that goes into Buck Lake, which may be pause and think about Coca-Cola and ice ice cream.

All the Temptations of civilization when you’ve been on the trail for 1260 miles. 🥫🍨

There were some spots with cell signals that I could check my messages and also do a little research on Bucks Lake.

Purely theoretical research, mind you.😜

As I was gathering water at a small stream, heard a big thud, nothing big sliding down the hill, a rock falling, and some wrestling in the bushes above me.

I looked around, but couldn’t see anything. The sound made me think it was something bigger than a squirrel.

As I continue filling my water bottles, I kept my eyes and ears open.

When another loud brushing noise was heard below me, I decided I had enough water and I packed up and headed north quickly.

It wasn’t long before I saw this print on the trail.

It wasn’t long before I saw more and more prints headed south on the trail. My eye nature app confirmed that it was an American blackbear paw print. I was somewhat reassured by the fact that it was going south and not north.

That was until I saw another similar set of prints going northbound.

Fortunately, I did not encounter a bear before I hit Bucks Summit that was the second route into Bucks Lake.

So while I rested here, I saw my first humans of the day. Two PC hikers passed me by and headed north the climb that rose from Bucks Summit.

I also came to a decision: I would stay at night at one of the hotel rooms available at Bucks Lake.

There wasn’t much of a cell signal up at the Summit, but I wasn’t able to call and make a reservation at the Haskins Valley Inn.

Wasn’t quite the same as Quincy, but it had a small store, some restaurants, and the room I reserved turned out to have a whirlpool bath that I didn’t expect.

But it was a nice surprise. 😄🛁

Ah….