Day 56 – Charge!

I awaken without an alarm at 4:30. I roll over and sleep until 5:30. Oh, the life of leisure I now lead! It is chilly and snuggling in my bed feels good despite the filth. I break camp at 6:25. I only have to hike 16 miles today. This puts me in prime position to snag a good camping spot high up on the Goat Rocks. I can watch the magnificent sunset and sunrise from there.

Wagon train

As I walk toward the trail from my campsite, I notice another hiker passing the falls above. Since I am not warmed up yet, I wait for him to pass by me on the trail. We chat a bit and I fall in behind him as he leads. His name is Pack Mule. He got his name because he continues to carry a bear canister and ice axe even though he no longer needs them. Those items add over three pounds to his pack weight.

A strange thing happens. I am able to keep up with his pace. The conversation is so engaging that I don’t even realize it.

Pack Mule has worked for the Forestry Service. I have so many questions! I mention to him that I ran into my first trail crew yesterday. (Yes, I forgot to mention that.) They carried a two-man cross-cut saw, two axes, wedges and a bunch of other equipment. Pack Mule had worked in a trail crew for a few years. I ask him about the policy for trail clearing priority. He confirmed what I suspected – that trails that are used the most get top priority. Funding does come into play if a grant is involved. Otherwise, trails are placed on a “brush-up” rotation for clearing and general maintenance.

Pack Mule also expressed his sadness for all the burned areas we have seen. He guesses that 1/4 of the PCT travels through burned forests – a number that is way too high, and growing.

We reach our water destination – Lava Springs. Lo and behold we run into someone I know. (No, it’s not the Wander Women.) It’s Road Kill, who I last saw in Shelter Cove. Road Kill had mentioned that he was getting off the trail when he reached Washington so he could hike with his dad. And here they were:

Pack Mule and I roll on. We get into a very “buggy” area so we stay motivated. These lakes are beautiful, but they probably contribute to our bug problem.

I realize that I am coming up in my 4-hour break. I say farewell to Pack Mule. He is going to do close to 30 miles today, and I am only doing 16. As he leaves, I check my map to see how far we have gone. 11 miles in 4 hours that includes a break. That is almost a 3 mph pace! I have never done that. And now I have a big problem. I am going to fast. It is only 5 miles to my goal. I will be there by noon. Is there an opportunity here?

Over excited

If I decide to hike farther than 16 miles, water availability will force me to hike at least 25 miles. I have this idea that I will be in a more perfect position for Goat Rocks. All right, let’s go. I hike like a maniac, trying to emulate the pace I hiked with Pack Mule. It works.

Some things still demand a photo:

Pink AND blue flowers on the same stem. I call them baby shower flowers.

Sheep Lake

I arrive at my new destination (Sheep Lake) at 5 pm. That is exactly what I prefer. And yet, what have I done? I am 7.5 miles from the most scenic section of the Goat Rocks. I will arrive there at the wrong time! I had wanted to be there at the start of the day.

It’s good to know that I can hike fast when I need to, but I didn’t need to. I got carried away. On the positive side: I can really take my time in the most beautiful section on the trail. I may not get those sunrise and sunset shots, but who knows what else I might find instead. The trail surprises me every day. Tomorrow will be no exception.

Sheep Lake is filled with local folks out for a night or two, camping and hiking. I like to talk to them. They make me realize just how extreme my quest really is. There is a group of teenagers here. They hiked in an hour ago. Their voices drifting across the lake are so clear.

The men camping near me think the kids are too loud. But their silliness cheers me. I want to be that happy and carefree, too. But the trail weighs heavily on me at times. Why does it haunt me so? What are those shadows just beyond my sight?

• July 27
• Starting mile: 2245
• Ending mile: 2270
• Daily PCT miles: 25
• Total PCT miles: 898
• Animals: Pack Mule