Mile 1393.9 to 1411.3 – 17.4 miles total hiked on PCT + 1 mile for the Ranch and other bits

My action camera makes night look like daytime when the moon is out and illuminating everything.

One nice thing about a campsite with a great view is that you get to wake up to that view.

I had thought I had seen the last of Mount Lassen for this trip, but I found her peeking out at me.

Sometimes you find water in the oddest places.

Not the cattle trough…

Bug nearby is a big tank that some trail angel keeps filled. Thank you!!

On the valley below, I saw this satellite communications station (at least I think that’s what it is).

And the came a moment that was 124 days in the making:

1,400 miles hiked continuously from the Mexican border!!!

In pine cones and…

In sticks!

I celebrated by sitting down and enjoying the view.

From there, it was a gentle descent downwards from the rim to the valley floor. And you could really get a sense of the volcanic origins of this area.

Why did the hiker cross the road?

Because that’s the way the trail went.

Plus there were footprints to follow.

And there was a water cache on the other side.

😀

There were some long meadows to cross before you reached a hydroelectric power station.

Hydro meant more water! No cache needed here.

Balm Lake was beautiful and I had intended on camping somewhere along its west shore.

But by the time I found some nice campsites, the luxuries of civilization had tempted me to go a bit further.

So, instead of settling into camp after 16 miles or so, I pushed forward to Burney Mountain Guest Ranch.

This put my mileage hkjed ON the pct at 17.4 miles. A new record for me during this long through hike this year.

But most importantly, the arch gave me: A real dinner, a shower, Coca-Cola, and a bed to sleep in.

Since the next section doesn’t have a lot of options for resupplying or staying off trail for a rest, I decided that a zero day was called for.

It was very much appreciated by my feet and legs.

Any resemblance to me and this statue is purely a coincidence.. 🤣