It is not unusual for groups of hikers to for trail “families” or “tramilies”. This normally happens quite spontaneously over days and weeks. Strangers become friends. Despite different resupply strategies and trail town visits, tramilies will find a way to get back together. Last night was a good example. When I got in my tent I was the only one in the camp. When I left this morning there were five other tents. The first one arrived at 9pm. The last one at 1:30am. My guess is that these hikers went to great lengths to coordinate this gathering. At this stage of the hike, northbounders (nobos) know every one hiking around them and what kind of tent they use.
Back to it
Amazingly I sleep through my 4:45 alarm, or I unconsciously turn it off. It is 5:10 when I jolt awake. I manage to be ready to hike in 50 minutes. I am planning to hike 18 miles today. I need to start early for success.
At the top of the first ridge I find that I have cell service. I give Patti a quick call. Then I see that my daughter has sent two more original Butt Mountain jokes. First one: “Is it dark there, thick foliage?” Second one: “I heard you shouldn’t eat the berries.” I replied: “It was warm with occasional gust of hot air!” She replied: “Stinky air?” I shot back: “Butt of course!”
What does this have to do with hiking? Well I said I wanted to enjoy myself, and the middle school side of my personality is loving Butt Mountain.
Early trail
I think that early morning offers the best light for photos. Here are three I like.
And here are some of the first flowers of the trail. It’s not the greatest photo, but later in the day I see a three-inch green hummingbird drinking from similar flowers.
Others
I am not as sick today. I am getting food down and drinking when I can. I happen to pass these two folks relaxing on a log. They are Bob and Wendy, collectively know as the Blue Sky Hikers. That seems to be Bob’s term for them. Wendy confides, “Bob never accepted a trail name but mine is Snake Charmer”. Wendy always walks in front, so she is the one to deal with snakes, spider webs, and such. Hence, her trail name.
Anyway, they thru-hiked the PCT in 2010. In 2023, Wendy was nearly killed when she slipped on snow across the trail and slid down the mountain uncontrollably. Only because her leg was impaled by a branch did she not plunge over a cliff to her death.
They are taking their time, hiking only 10 to 12 miles a day. “We don’t have to do more, so why should we?” They will exit the trail at Bishop Pass in the Sierras.
The Hiking
It’s burn and more burn all day. It’s not terrible. They maintain a stark beauty. Also, these tall dead trees remind me to support sustainable forest management. Fire is normal, but it is usually not this destructive. It takes hikers a week to walk through the destructive caused by a single forest fire.
A few areas were not burned. They are a joy.
Closing
Trails in the burn are incredibly dusty. At one point the wind is behind me and the dust cloud I kick up stays with me billows around my legs. I swear, I looked like Pig Pen of Peanuts. This is what your legs look like at the end of the day. And I wear pants!
Near the end of the day I pass a familiar sign.
The Sierras are a massive rock formation. These rocks are an example of what pervades the Sierra Nevada. The layers are vertical. One of these days I need to hike this section with a geologist.
I find an exposed campsite at my destination. It is 11 miles down to Belden – a quirky little resort in the middle of nowhere. I learned that there is a festival going on. I am excited for the possibility of food trucks. A passing hiker says “It’s not that kind of festival.” I say, “I thought it was bluegrass.” “Nope, but you might still like it if you want an expanded experience!” I say, “Don’t tell me it’s a bunch of stoners!” He smiled and nodded.
Starting location: campground at Little Cub Spring
Ending location: 11 miles from a peaceful easy feeling
Miles hiked: 18.1