Mile 1472.5 to 1489 – 16.5 miles total hiked on PCT

I got up, packed up and headed north once again. I was pleasantly surprised at the insects were bothering me on the way down to the McCloud River the day before, did not immediately swarm me.

This was an interesting choice by the trail crew who did it. Instead of just cutting the tree and half day cut into the tree so that people could step over the tree trunk. It almost seems like it was more work than doing it the more traditional way, which would’ve been to cut the tree trunk twice and roll the segment over the trail away.

Either way it was an amusing part of the day.

I was probably surprised that ever since Bernie Falls there hasn’t been any large burn zones. Maybe a few trees here and there that had some burn marks, but nothing like the wide long stretches of dead forests that I had come to detest further south.

As an afternoon wore on, I started to see clouds gathering in the skies. I knew there was rain in the forecast for the next two days so it wasn’t a surprise. But it wasn’t something that made me happy either.

As I neared the Yét Atwam Creek, I spotted the bridge that would allow me to cross it. This creek had very high sides, so I wasn’t sure how I would get a while from it at first.

I decided to take a detour down to the Cabin Creek trailhead. I didn’t mean to, but there was mention of possible trail magic at that trailhead. 😀

I didn’t find any trail magic, but I did find a pit toilet.

An “open air pit toilet”. Enjoy the view while you go. 😄

It was actually just under repair and I was VERY glad that no one had actually tried using it. 😜

A couple drove up in a Jeep Wrangler and I asked him the question. I always asked people at trailhead when I see them: Do you have any pizza and Diet Coke?

Nope. 😕

Considering the weather report, I did think about asking them if they could give me a lift into civilization. I could always wait out the rain and then get a ride back to this trailhead to continue my trek.

I could also camp down near the trailhead in more protected camping area than the campsites I knew about at the top of the ridge that I would be hiking up shortly.

But (unfortunately, in hindsight) I decided to push on.

What’s a little rain when you backpacking? 

The FarOut app also had information on a drinks cooler that may have some trail magic in it. Ah! There it is.

Sadly, it was only full of empty cans and bottles of formally delicious trail magic drinks.

There were a couple unopened half liter water bottles, but since I had just filled up on water at the creek with what I needed for tonight and the next day, I left those for the PCT south bounders that may need it more.

As I climbed up higher on the ridge, I started to see some nice views through the trees. That kind of made me grateful that I continued my hike.

And peeking out of the clouds, there is Mount Shasta once again. Beautiful.

Even more beautiful was the fact that this view wasn’t that far from the campsites listen on the FarOut app.

Since I knew it rain that night, I made sure to carefully select a campsite that could drain water away from my tent. There were a couple campsites that were basically empty ponds just waiting to be filled with rainwater. Not a good choice for a campsite on a rainy night.

After setting up my tent and eating dinner, I went back to the view.

Unfortunately, the clouds had already covered up Mount Shasta. But there was already some color in the other clouds, so maybe Mother Nature would put on a show for me.

It wasn’t her best work, but it was OK.

I did see about half a dozen people headed southbound on the PCT. Sadly, I knew they would have two or three days of rain coming up.

I was planning to take a zero day once I got to Mount Shasta so I only had one wet day ahead of me.