Day 73 - 30 Miler

Day 73 - Saturday, July 7
North Creek (1,166.3) to Sierra City (1,197.5)
Miles today - 31.2

The landscape is changing again now that we're getting to the northern part of the state. The mountains are lower, more rounded, and more forested. It's hotter too since we're at much lower elevations, but the hiking is quite a bit easier.



Macho and I had 15 miles done at lunch. We weren't planning to get to Sierra City today, but it was only another 16 miles away and it was a little after noon. We had about six hours to get to town before the store closed and we decided to go for it.



It was my first 30+ mile day and we were in town before 6 pm.



Sierra City isn't much of a city. There's about 250 residents and a really short main street. I got a burger and a pint of Ben & Jerry's from the store. The Red Moose Inn allows hikers to camp in the backyard for free, and offers free showers, laundry, and WiFi, so that's where everybody stays. Bronco and Fairway got here earlier today, and there's a bunch of other hikers here, some who I haven't seen in two months, and some who I've never met.

I got to meet the legendary Billy Goat. He's been on the trail something like 11 years in a row and has logged over 25,000 miles. He was really friendly and interesting to talk to.



It's really hot here and it'll probably be hard to sleep. I'm not even in my bag yet and I'm sweating.

Day 72 - Crash

Day 72 - Friday, July 6
Squaw Creek (1,142.9) to North Creek (1,166.3)
Miles today - 23.4

There were a ton of tourists and day hikers on the trail in the Donner Pass area. It felt like we were stepping off the trail every couple minutes to let people pass. Some of them were really excited to talk to us and couldn't believe where we've come from and where we're going. One woman was thrilled just to finally meet some thruhikers, and another said we're her heroes. We're celebrities out here.



There was a bit of trail magic today. We passed a day hiker who said he left a cooler of beer next to his car for thruhikers. Sure enough it was there. I was hoping for a sugary soda, but I won't complain about a cold beer!



Above: Fairway and I enjoying our beer!

I took a spill as I was crossing a small stream on some rocks. My foot slipped and I went crashing down onto the rocks. My foot got a little wet and my knee and elbow got minor scrapes. I was lucky it wasn't more serious.



I think we're officially out of the Sierra now. Time to take on northern California!

Day 71 - Around the Lake

Day 71 - Thursday, July 5
Phipps Creek (1,114.6) to Squaw Creek (1,142.9)
Miles today - 28.3
The terrain was easy for most of the day and we had 17 miles done before lunch. After lunch there was some awesome ridge walking with good views of Lake Tahoe to the east.

We're camping near the top of Squaw Valley ski area. It's cold and windy up here, but it keeps the mosquitoes away.

I was reading some of my journal entries from the first couple weeks of the hike. It's weird because it feels like it all just happened yesterday, but at the same time it seems like so long ago. I'm making so many new vivid memories in such a short time out here that I think it's distorting my perception of time.

Day 70 - Buzz Buzz

Day 70 - Wednesday, July 4
South Lake Tahoe (1,092.9) to Phipps Creek (1,114.6)
Miles today - 21.7

Fairway, Macho, and I had breakfast at McDonald's and got a ride to the trail at 9 am. We're hiking through the Desolation Wilderness around the west side of Lake Tahoe. There were only a couple views of Lake Tahoe, but we did pass a lot of smaller lakes.



It's a beautiful area. We saw some rangers and I was asked to show my permit for the first time.



Macho and I are camping in an area with the worst mosquitoes yet. With my jacket, pants, and head net on and with bug spray on my hands they have a hard time biting me. It was amazing to see how many were on me though. There must have been dozens of them on my pants at one time. Made it easy to kill a handful in one slap. I ate dinner in my tent and called it a night.

Day 69 - Stressful Zero in Tahoe

Day 69 - Tuesday, July 3
South Lake Tahoe (1,092.9)
Miles today - 0

Days in town are supposed to be relaxing, but today was really stressful. After breakfast I went to the grocery store to buy 15 days worth of food. There were so many people there. The whole town is really busy because of the holiday tomorrow. I took all my food over to the post office, sorted it all on the floor, and packed up a box to send a couple hundred miles up the trail. I also sent my bear can home since I'm not required to carry it anymore. That's 2 1/2 pounds out of my pack!

Then I had to go to Staples for UPS shipping to send another package of food up the trail. The clerk there took forever and it wasn't until almost 3 pm that I was done my chores. Half the day was gone just like that.

Later in the afternoon Macho and I took the bus a few miles down the road to Stateline, Nevada. We hit up the buffet at Harrah's Casino. It was decent food and I definitely got my money's worth.



Above: Lake Tahoe from the 18th floor of Harrah's.

Then we went to see the movie Prometheus. It was some much needed entertainment.

This place will be crazy tomorrow and I can't wait to get out of here.

Day 68 - South Lake Tahoe

Day 68 - Monday, July 2
Upper Truckee River (1,082.3) to South Lake Tahoe (1,092.9)
Miles today - 10.6

The mozzies were bad this morning so we hiked quickly to Hwy 50 where we got a lucky hitch to South Tahoe after waiting only two minutes. We were in town in time for breakfast and I got a four egg omelette with Swiss cheese, onion, tomato, bacon, and spinach. Macho Taco and I are staying at yet another Motel 6.



Above: There was a ton of traffic in town, probably because of July 4th in a couple days. It made it hard to get around on foot.

After being on the verge on quitting just a few days ago, I've decided to keep going. I've been dreaming about this trail for too long and I've come too far to give up. I know I would regret it for the rest of my life. I just need to focus on short term goals instead of thinking about Canada and being overwhelmed by how far I have left to go. One day at a time.

Day 67 - Carson Pass Magic

Day 67 - Sunday, July 1
Eagle Creek (1,055) to Upper Truckee River (1,082.3)
Miles today - 27.3

It was another fun day of hiking. I think this section from Sonora Pass to Lake Tahoe over the last few days has been my favorite so far.



It doesn't have the grandeur of the High Sierra, but it has a different kind of beauty. It's a lot more colorful and diverse.



Plus the trail is a lot more mellow so I can enjoy the scenery without having to worry about tripping over rocks with every step. I think most importantly is that I'm with a group again.



There was some more trail magic today. The information center at Carson Pass had fruit and other snacks for hikers.



There were about 130 people that had signed the register before us. At Ziggy and the Bear's 800 miles ago I was #288, so we've been making good time and have definitely moved in front of the herd. It would be interesting to find out exactly how many people are still on he trail and how many have dropped out.

There's seven of us camping together in a meadow. Bronco, Houdini, Macho Taco, Fairway, Ruby Locks, a redhead from New Zealand, and Calf from Germany, who has the biggest calves I've ever seen. The mosquitoes are out in full force. Somehow it's not as bad when everyone is suffering together.