Day 88 - End of the Road

Day 88 - Sunday, July 22
Trough Creek (1,486.8) to Interstate 5 (1,506.5)
Miles today - 19.7

My time on the PCT officially came to an end this afternoon after doing a quick 20 miles by 1 pm and hitting the 1,500 mile mark along the way.



Then it was a hot and painful two mile road walk to the town of Castella, where I celebrated the end of my journey with a cold beer.



Bronco's parents drove down from Oregon and picked us up, and then dropped me off in Dunsmuir a few miles up I-5, where I'll be catching the Amtrak in the middle of the night. I decided to get a motel room so I could take a shower and have somewhere comfortable to hang out. Unfortunately the laundrymat in town was closed, so I had to hand wash my clothes in the sink. My shirt is still dirt brown and makes me look like a bum, but at least it smells somewhat clean now. I went out for pizza, bought some deodorant, and then watched TV for the rest of the night until it was time to catch my train. I'll miss the PCT, but I'm excited to get home and see everyone.

Day 87 - Final Sunset

Day 87 - Saturday, July 21
Dirt road (1,463) to Trough Creek (1,486.8)
Miles today - 23.8

It was another long day, this time there were no views of any kind. Just forest walking and dodging poison oak, which was everywhere along the trail. I can see why people say Section O (Burney Falls to I-5) is the least interesting and most tedious section on the trail.



Bronco and I hiked with Data for most of the day. I've seen him occasionally since the first week, but this was the first time hiking with him. He's done the PCT and Colorado Trail before, so we had a lot to talk about. He's always really positive and enthusiastic about everything, so it was fun to hike with him. Seeing all the other hikers that I've gotten to know over the past three months is definitely what I'll miss most when this trip is over. I'll also miss camping. This is my last night on the trail. I do look forward to sleeping in my bed again though!

Day 86 - Accepting Fate

Day 86 - Friday, July 20
Peavine Creek (1,437.3) to dirt road (1,463)
Miles today - 25.7

Today felt really long. Maybe because I'm anticipating going home in a few days. Or maybe it's because this section of the trail isn't great. It's overgrown in some spots, sometimes requiring me to push through thick brush. And other than the occasional view of Shasta there hasn't been much to look at. Shasta is incredible though, so it kind of makes up for the boring bits.



My back felt better yesterday after the day of rest, but it hurt for most of the day today. It's not bad enough to keep me from being able to do 25+ mile days though, so sometimes I wonder if I'm just using it as an excuse to go home. I always told myself I would never quit unless I was physically unable to walk or if there was some kind of family tragedy back home. But it's one thing to say that from the comfort of home before the trip. It's another thing to be out here trying to tolerate the pain day in and day out. It's made every day, every mile, feel like a grind, and it's just not enjoyable anymore.

I got cell service during one of our breaks this afternoon and I made the mistake of checking Facebook and seeing all the messages of support left by friends and family after hearing that I'm ending my hike. I certainly appreciate the support and it feels good knowing that so many people were cheering for me, but I can't help but feel like I've let them all down, even if I know that isn't the case. As I hiked on with these thoughts racing through my head I became so overwhelmed that I almost had to stop and sit down. I feel so much pressure to continue, mostly from myself and not wanting to fail, but I know I'm making the right decision.



Above: Camping right on a dirt road, the flattest spot we could find.

Day 85 - What is This? Rain?

Day 85 - Thursday, July 19
Burney (1,415.7) to Peavine Creek (1,437.3)
Miles today - 21.6

Bronco and I got a ride back to the trail this morning from a guy who hiked it in the early 70's. Back then there wasn't a continuous trail yet, so he had to piece together his own route using maps. There wasn't ultralight gear, cellphones, internet or all the other planning resources we have today either. It was a much more hardcore adventure. But he said even back then there was help from trail angels.



Something strange happened today. I rained! Not for long, maybe a couple minutes, but it's the first precipitation in over a month. I wouldn't have minded a little more rain, at least enough to get the ground wet. The trail is so dusty that my feet and legs get covered in dirt every day.

Day 84 - Zero in Burney

Day 84 - Wednesday, July 18
Burney (1,415.7)
Miles today - 0

I think today was the first time on this entire trip that I got to sit around and do nothing all day. I left the motel room three times - for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Otherwise I was laying in bed watching TV. For once there was no grocery shopping or other chores to do. It was exactly the kind of zero day I wanted, and what my body needs. I could probably use several more days like this.

Even with a day of recovery I've decided to end my journey in four days when I reach I-5. From there I'll get a train home from Dunsmuir. I don't think I have two more months left in me physically and I just don't have the desire to keep going.

Day 83 - Needing a Break

Day 83 - Tuesday, July 17
Hat Creek Rim (1,388.9) to Burney (1,415.7)
Miles today - 26.8

We crossed the rest of Hat Creek Rim this morning while it was still cool.



Thankfully a water cache broke up the long dry section. Once off the rim we stopped for lunch along the side of a road. A car pulled over and the woman offered us water and a ride to the town of Cassel. We declined the ride, but happily took the water. It's not very often that people will go out of their way to help total strangers without even being asked.



Above: Mt Shasta in the early morning.

Bronco and I are both tired and hurting, so when we got to Hwy 299 we decided to hitch into Burney to eat and rest up. It's been a while since our last zero day, so we're going to hang out here all day tomorrow.



One of the things I love about hiking with Bronco is that he loves to eat as much as I do. I suppose most most thruhikers obsess over food, but Bronco never needs to be convinced to go eat like some of the other people I've hung out with in towns. He's always ready to put away massive amounts of food. The waitress at dinner tonight was in shock by how much we ate.

Day 82 - Hat Creek Rim

Day 82 - Monday, July 16
Badger Flat (1,367.8) to Hat Creek Rim (1,388.9)
Miles today - 21.1

A deer wandered into our camp in the middle of the night and wouldn't go away. It was just feet from our tents for a couple hours licking up the salt from our urine.

The trail this morning was almost all flat or downhill, so it was easy walking for 10 miles to the tiny town of Old Station, where Bronco had to pick up a resupply box. We hung out outside the small store for almost five hours with a bunch of other hikers to wait out the midday heat. Plenty of time for a burger and milkshake.



Above: The side of the store turned into a backpack parking lot.

It didn't get as hot as we were expecting, so we hiked out in the early afternoon instead of waiting a couple more hours. We're hiking along the Hat Creek Rim, which is supposed to be one of the hottest and driest sections on the entire trail, exposed and waterless for 30 miles.



We were lucky to have cool, windy weather. It even looked like we might get hit by a storm, but the dark clouds passed right by. It's been over a month without rain now. Through all the clouds and smoke from a distant fire we got our first view of Mount Shasta. It's still pretty far away, but it already looks huge. We'll probably be able to see it for the rest of California.

I read on Just Retired's blog (hiking-the-pct.com) today that he's gone home and will try to finish the trail next year. I met him on the last mile of the very first day as we hiked in to Kickoff together, and I enjoyed hiking with him for several hundred miles with the Usual Suspects. I wish him the best.