PCT Day 15 – La La La La Lola

F sun behind tree on left

Last night was the best sleep of the hike so far. I think I slept five hours straight. I always sleep better with someone else in camp and temps went down to the 50’s where I am at 8000 ft. My legs were only slightly sweaty!

The best morning

I have a special feeling about this morning. The sun and slopes are going to conspire for some beautiful photos. As I start walking, I discover that I am correct. The trail is brilliant. Here are three views that I like a lot.

The trees on these ridge tops are battle hardened survivors of elemental extremes. Most, like the one on the photo, have their tops blown off from a wind storm or a lightning strike. But they persevere.

Notables

There are several peaks in view today. The first that I like is Old Man Mountain. He jealously guards his snow melt in a basin at his feet.

The second mountain is one that I have been seeing now for a few days – Mount Lola. At 9147 feet, it’s one of the tallest mountains in the area. I am going to hike directly towards it and then a follow an opposing ridge that leads around to the west (right) of it. Here is Mount Lola.

And this is what it I see, like looking back from the ridge west of Lola. See the deep valley below. Spectacular.

Bob

I like Bob. Bob is a wonder. Bob is 79. When he learned I was only 63 he said “You’re just a kid! Don’t even talk to me.”

Bob had a long career in the field of dentistry. He retired at 62 and volunteers with the Search and Rescue division in Bend, Oregon. He also works with the local ski patrol in that area. He is an avid Nordic skier and hiker. He just loves being outdoors.

Bob is hard of hearing. On the trail he doesn’t wear his hearing aid. Hikers that pass by us must think we are arguing, because I have to talk pretty loud. But I don’t mind. I enjoy having someone to talk to. And Bob is easy to get along with.

We are splitting up in the morning. I have to go into Truckee for food and Bob has to go to the Donner Ski Ranch to pick up a package. There is no telling how the day May unfold for each of us. We will try to rendezvous if the stars align.

We both plan to take one or two zero days in South Lake Tahoe, so even if we do stay separated, we will see each other in SLT. Bob is hiking as far as Mount Whitney. It would be fun to go with him that far.

Flora

There are some new flowers at lower altitudes.

Silly time

I eat a big lunch. The biggest yet. Hiking on a full stomach can be a challenge. It takes all my concentration to put one foot ahead of another. And then I walk through this boulder farm in the forest. It’s all these big gray round boulders sleeping in the dappled shade. It’s like a herd of forest elephants gently snoozing, heads down, trunks down, legs folded under.

But something else is lurking here. You University of Florida fans might recognize it.

Do you think this sign looks like Moby Dick?

Camp

At the end of the day, Bob and I head for a unique campsite – the Peter Grubb Hut. It’s owned by the local Sierra Club and used during the winter as a shelter for skiers. See that door up above. That is the only workable entrance in the winter when there is 8 feet of snow on the ground!

Unfortunately the doors are locked. We can’t even go in and look around. In past years it has been open to hikers. I wonder what happened. The privy is open. It’s a double decker too!

We find campsites behind the hut and settle in for the night. In the morning I will go into Truckee for resupply. This is the town where Keith would have ended his hike. I wish he had been able to join me. He probably wishes the same. But it has been fun so far, and the best is yet to come.

• August 11
• Starting marker: 1176.7
• Ending marker: 1160.8
• Total miles hiked today: 16
• Total PCT miles hiked: 193
• Biggest regret: giving publicity to a Gator