PCT Day 58, Soapstone Trail to Interstate 5 (McCloud) 19 miles
A surplus of effort could overcome a deficit of confidence. – Sonia Sotomayor I’m up before dawn, the wind is playing a song in the trees and Good Luck blasts his headlamp all over the campground, but mostly in my eyes. He says there’s only one setting. Note to self: keep looking for solo camp […]
PCT Day 57, Bull Lake junction to near Soapstone Trail, 28 miles
I don’t care what you think about me. I don’t think about you at all. – Coco Chanel The sun lights the sky a deep reddish orange, a silver sliver of moon still in the crystal clear sky. I forgot to mention that just as I looked out one last time before closing my eyes, […]
PCT Day 56, Saloon Creek junction to Bull Lake junction, 29 miles
I choose to make the rest of my life the best of my life. – Louise Hay What a perfect place to wake up as the sky turns pink, then orange. Huge fallen logs circle my spot; I use one as my seat for breakfast. Packing is routine now and I’m off. A few tents […]
PCT Day 55, Etna Summit trailhead to Saloon Creek junction, 23 miles
Without it (self-respect), one eventually discovers the final turn of the screw: one runs away to find oneself, and finds no one at home. —Joan Didion It was so nice to sleep in a giant bed with air conditioning blasting, though I stayed up far too late, and it’s not easy waking up without a […]
PCT Day 54, seasonal creek to Etna Summit trailhead (Etna) 15 miles
It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody. – Maya Angelou The morning begins pink – and damp. I know this going in. If I sleep on grass next to a stream, my tent will gather moisture and I’ll feel cold. But it’s worth it for the solitude, the […]
PCT Day 53, seasonal creek to seasonal creek, 27 miles
Step out of the history that is holding you back. Step into the new story you are willing to create. – Oprah Winfrey I sleep in a wee bit because I am so cozy comfy warm and I’m letting the sun dry things. Of course, in this deep canyon that will take an eternity, so […]
PCT Day 52, above Darkey Creek Trail to seasonal creek feeding Grider Creek, 21 miles
You can’t give up! If you give up, you’re like everybody else. – Chris Evert The sunrise, of course, is spectacular. All orange and pink, mainly because the sky is cloudy. I wonder if it will rain. I got my fill in Washington, but rain likely helps keep wildfires under control. I had a strange […]
PCT Day 51, Bearground Springs to above Darkey Creek Trail Jct, 25 miles
I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done. – Lucille Ball
PCT Day 50, Mt. Ashland to Bearground Springs, 25 miles
You can waste your lives drawing lines, or you can live your life crossing them. – Shonda Rhimes The morning is so – thankfully – mellow. I have a few tents near me, but the people in them are absolutely chill. We give a thumbs up to each other before I set off, then it’s […]
PCT Day 49, Highway 66 to little tent site above Mount Ashland Inn, 23 miles
The difference between successful people and others is how long they spend time feeling sorry for themselves. – Barbara Corcoran It was a bit of a whirlwind waking up and getting ready to go. I wish we had a week together to talk, make food, take some hikes and even see a few plays, but […]
