July 27 2010
Mile 1506.5 I-5/ Castella
*** Full Upload with videos and pictures will be in OREGON in 9 days!!!***
Northen California heat continues to deplete our electrolites but hasn’t hindered our hiking or spirits. Since our last entry we returned to Old Station where we set out to cross the Hat Creek Rim, the longest waterless stretch on the PCT. The weather has been hot, fluctuating in the range from high 90’s in the afternoons to maybe low 70’s in the evening.
After an early morning drop off at the trailhead, we slowly made our way down the trail before deciding to dip into JJs Cafe where we ate a delicious homemade and reasonably-priced breakfast (I had a monster pancake, egg, and bacon wrap for $6)! Following breakfast we entered the Subway Cave, a collapsed lava tube that can be entered by a staircase. After our tour and water refill, we set out on the notoriously hot stretch of trail high atop Hat Creek. But before we could exit the scenic overlook, we were happy to connect with Melissa’s dad Jack who came out west for a suprise visit. Jack enjoyed lunch with us and we arranged to meet up with him the following day in Burney Falls.
We were happy that we had a gentle breeze to ease the heat and enjoyed bumping into Balls, a hiker we met at mile 100 and his 10 year old daughter, Sunshine, who joined him for a section. A water cache made the perfect place for a dinner stop and we were suprised to meet Mountain Stan, one of the kind folks who stocks the cache.
We enjoyed a peaceful and pleasant nights sleep before heading closer to Burney Falls where we were planning to meet up and set out for the next 83 mile section with my cousin Rob. As we made our way closer towards Hwy 299 and the town of Burney, we began hearing the sounds of a camera shutter and, to our surprise, Jack had hiked in over 4 miles to meet us on trail with a picnic lunch in 100 degree weather! Beneath the shade of a wheeping willow we ate Subway sandwiches, veggies, chocolate and sipped cold water. On the walk to his car we saw a couple of Osprey nests with adults soaring high above the river below in search of food. We completed the trek stopping for a cold drink at the car and then making our timeline at Burney Falls where Jack picked us up for a quick meal. All-you-can-eat pizza, salad, and drink brought massive smiles and we enjoyed sharing photos and tales from the trail.
We headed back over to Burney Falls State Park where we had left the trail where we found Rob and his smiling family in the public parking lot. After photos and goodbyes we were off with our new companion! We made our way to the PCT and went a short ways before the darkness overtook us and we were ready for rest. The temperature was still in the mid 80’s and getting comfortable was diffiuclt as we all lay beneath the moonlight fighting off the buzzing mosquitos. We hadn’t even begun section O and it was living up to it’s claim as one of the least favored sections on the PCT. We awoke with a wink or two of sleep and set out on one of Rob’s first days of backpacking in many years. He hiked quickly and we found ourselves completing 29 miles before calling it a night at Moose Creek Spring. The entire section provided great views of snow covered Mt Shasta and distant glances of Mt Lassen. Rob fared well and his feet held up against the tough volcanic terrain. The best views of Castle Crags State Park came as we descended towards I-5, gleaming with excitement as we were ready for our first zero day in 18 days and over 400 miles. Thank you Rob for taking on the challenge and joining us as well as picking me up some new Superfeet (my insoles), giving Melissa a spoon, and the great baked goodies!
~Justin
Today we celebrate 100 days on the trail with less than 50 to go. We can’t believe how the time has flown! We have about 1,100 miles left but we have picked up some major speed averaging 25+miles per day.
Weeks ago, my Uncle Carl and Aunt Rosana reserved a cabin in Burney Falls State Park to meet up with us on the trail. We have been counting down the days until our visit with them – 18 days since our last zero in Jackson! When we completed our section with Rob at I-5, Carl drove out to pick us up and bring us back to their cabin for a perfect zero day. We enjoyed BBQ hot dogs, spaghetti, salad and corn as a family. Gus, my 3 year old cousin, provides hours of entertainment and made sure to give us a warm welcome by inviting us immediately into their cabin as we exited the car. We ended our night around a campfire with delicious s’mores! All of today has been spent relaxing our tired legs. We ate a delicious breakfast, socialized with our hiking buddies Freebird, Daredevil, and Uncle Tom who were passing through Burney Falls, and swam with cousin Gus in Lake Britton. We finished the day with another stop in the town of Burney and delicious milkshakes.
We are so grateful to have such a loving family who has been cheering us along as we hike this insane hike. Proud Uncle Carl made sure to point out to the ladies working in the Burney General store that we had hiked there all the way from Mexico. After a dip a day ago in the Sacramento River with Rob, he smiled and mentioned that we are crazy but that what we are doing is such an awesome thing.
Fully recharged, we are heading back to the trail on Wednesday (July 28). Only NINE days until we reach Ashland, OREGON!! We will being taking two zero days there at our dear friends Bill & Alex’s home, so we will have time to upload videos, pictures, and catch up on some amazing stories over the past month.
Thank you for all the touching emails and responses. We are so excited by the joy everyday brings.
~Melissa
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