Day 5 – Clark Springs

Just before the end of the day yesterday two hikers rolled by my campsite at Rock Creek. These guys were hardcore. Sandman started from Mexico. Ninja started from the Grand Canyon and crossed (illegally at times) over to the PCT. They are one of the first Northbounders (NOBOs) to arrive this far north. The herd is behind them. They had hiked did 38 miles(!). Their method is to hike separately but meet up at night. I was digging their camaraderie. However, the camp sites here at the river are not great for tents, so they moved on. Ninja gave me a couple electrolyte tablets to help with my dehydration. So nice.

Although I will never see them again, I felt enjoyed their brief company. It has seemed kind of lonely with no other hikers to talk to at night.

This enchanted trail

I went to bed at 8:30, but I did not close my eyes. Something beautiful was unfolding, and I wanted to witness it. The raucous creek dominates the soundscape here, plunging over the falls one hundred yards from me. This river is exuberant. It is a puppy galloping downhill, running, tumbling, running, tongue out, racing to its mother – the ocean. Oddly, this calmed me.

In the sky above, gossamer clouds moved slowly south, their color changing from white to rose. The bats appeared, their frenetic flight a counterpoint to the stately clouds above them. I took several photos trying to capture the moment. None succeeded. I finally lowered my arms, rested phone on my chest, and fell asleep. I awoke an hour later. The stars had appeared and the Milky Way was rising – a wreath of stellar Baby’s Breath crowning the mountainous black horizon.

New energy

I get out of camp at 6:12. I dissolve and drink the electrolytes that Ninja gave me. They seem to help. I force down some dry cereal, managing to eat quite a bit. It is cool and the sun is not up so I wear my knit cap. I have a lot of energy. I will need it. The day starts with a climb of 2000 feet.

I realize it is Sunday. I would be in church at this moment in Orlando. It puts me in a meditative mood. I determine to write a hiking song based on Psalms 24:3, 4 – something I read in morning prayer yesterday. I need something to motivate me for the climb and I have always wanted to take a crack at writing a song. Here it is:

Making this song was fun and I hope you enjoy it. Maybe when singing in church is allowed again, we can try it there! (It is currently prohibited due to COVID restrictions.) Talking about my faith is not something I normally press on people. It’s not that I am embarrassed about it, but it does make folks feel awkward. I may bring it up occasionally in this blog, because I do think about it, and like everything else that happens on the trail, it reveals who I am and how I see the world.

Nature far and near

The views are quite amazing today. After walking among the trees all morning, the trail opens up to vistas of the surrounding landscape. Mt. Shasta, as always, is looking spectacular.

I rest at the halfway point and make a surprising discovery. I am a butterfly garden. Butterflies are attracted to my gaiters (ankle coverings). I guess I am a flowering bush of some sort. Here is one of several videos that show just how popular I am here.

Crap!

The pain in my knee returns, but this time sharper. I guess the ibuprofen I took this morning is wearing off. I can’t help but curse a few times when the pain strikes. I am forced to take more ibuprofen. I am not happy about this and hope it is simple inflammation. I don’t want to live on Advil out here. I have to laugh at myself though. Within an hour I go from singing to cursing. I am a real project, right?

Camp buddies

I reach my last water source before I push on another three miles to camp. I am elated to find another hiker. We chat for a while. Her name is Kara. She hiked the southern sections of the PCT in 2013. She is now doing other sections off an on as the desire strikes her. She stops and starts when she wants. And since she lives in California, she can easily go home or to a friend’s house if the weather looks threatening or if she just wants to do something else. She had a trail name when she hiked before but she does not want to keep using it, so it will remain our secret.

There is a weird drumming noise coming from the woods by our campsites. It sounds like “whump , whump , whump , whump ”, but deep and muffled. We don’t think it’s a bear because the cadence is very regular and has been going on for a couple hours. Neither one of us wants to go see what it is though 😟

Food tastes good today for the first time since I started. I have cold ramen with olive oil and tuna. After I eat, Kara asks me if I would like to play cards. We gradually figure out the rules to gin rummy and then play until we lose track of who is ahead. We call it a draw and retire to our beds at 8:30. It was nice to sit and talk with someone for a while.

The drumming noise appears to be birds calling to each other. There is a lot of flapping in the bushes as night falls. The drumming relocates after the flapping stops. The mosquitoes are bad here. I have covered my face and hands with Deet and am hunkered under my quilt. I took more pills for my now-throbbing knee. I hope tonight goes well. I plan to hike 18 miles tomorrow.

Who can ascend the hill of the Lord,

And who can stand in his holy place?

Those who have clean hands and a pure heart,

And have not pledged themselves to falsehood

Nor sworn by what is a fraud

Psalms 24:3,4

• June 6
• Starting mile: 1423
• Ending mile: 1439
• Daily miles: 16
• Total miles: 67
• Notable achievements: I have become the pied piper of butterflies