Days 90
Start: Middle Fork Feather River
Finish: Three Lakes
Daily Mileage: 29.2
PCT Mile: 1280
Up and out early to start the big climb that would be the morning. It didn’t cool too much overnight, and it was humid, so I wanted to get as much out of the way as quickly as I could.
The uphill went pretty well in general. The grade was even and great the entire way, and soon enough the 3,000 feet had just disappeared. There were some views of the river valley dropping below me as I ascended, and it is always amazing how quickly you can climb so high without it seeming like a big deal. A good solid climb.
In the two days since Cookie Monster and I parted, I’ve found myself stopping less and for shorter periods. I stopped once for 20-30 minutes at the top of the climb after 11 miles, and my only other pack off break was another 8 miles or so later. I feel more driven to just go, and I will have to figure out a pacing that works for me and my body. I don’t want to burn myself out; however the trail is easier than it has been with no snow yesterday or today.
I made my way quickly across the mostly flat ridge with few views and only a little bit burned. I did find that near my next planned break spot I was getting worn down which was about 20 miles in. Though the ridge was mostly flat, it was still doing some ups and downs, and I was still quickly accumulating elevation gain throughout the day.
I took a break near a road crossing when it was getting warmer. It was also at the foot of a climb with yet more elevation gain. I had started the day at 3,000 feet and was topping out ahead near 7,000, with some additional elevation in between.
I started up the climb which was on a wide old road with full sun. Though the grade was good, it was a hot climb and I had to set my hot weather pace. I did make it to the top in decent time, but my energy was still waning. I ate more food and electrolytes, and they didn’t help much. Though the top was another ridge, there were some bumps along the way that continued to sap my energy.
I did have to take another sit down on top to recharge, which I do think helped me. Maybe I needed my prior longer breaks that I was taking with Cookie Monster. However, I do think that the total elevation for the day was the main contributor to my tiredness. I’ve done more elevation in the past, but out here at higher elevation to begin with and in the context of a long distance hike, I will have to keep an eye on things. There are many more big elevation days ahead of me.
I trudged onward, losing more energy with each small climb that I normally wouldn’t bat an eye at. I kept forward progress though because I wanted to get to camp and sit down and relax.
The views did start to open up at the end of the ridge with some lakes below and more rocky terrain which was nice. If there had been a water source up there I would have been plenty happy to call it then. But I had to head down for that.
Going down, I soon came to the spring I planned to camp near. I got my water for camp, let my phone have another swim after it fell out of my shirt pocket again, and then walked on to the camping area. For the first time on this trail, the campsite was already occupied and full when I got there. I guess it had to happen at some point, but it had to be the day I wanted to be done.
I kept moving forward, and was in a big burn area. There were flat spots, but it was amidst the burned trees on a day with gusty winds. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see all the burned trees on the ground to know that camping in a burn area is dangerous, so I kept moving.
I still had the water I got for camp, since I didn’t know for sure where I would end up. Though I was mostly following water, I didn’t want to dump it and then come across a good spot. I really wanted to camp as soon as I could.
Nothing really came since the whole area was burned, so I ended up going on a side trail to Three Lakes where there is some camping spots near the lake. There were some other hikers there I hadn’t seen for a while and plenty of flat area, so I was finally able to finish my day after 29 miles. I checked the total elevation gain for the day and it was 6,500 feet, which is probably why I was so tired. Not sure I’ve done that yet on this trail.
It was nice to relax with others again for dinner before retiring to our tents.
Though today got exhausting, I wouldn’t do it any other way. Some days will be harder than others, and a thru-hiker has to take all that in stride. There was a lot of good hiking today, so it was still a good day of hiking overall.
