Journey Day 109 | PCT Day 109

Mt. Shasta loomed ahead as I camped outside Castella.

8/3/85

Up slowly. I wander to hot shower. Pack up gear, say final goodbyes. Head out on trail just off campsite.

Hike up through woods, to road intersection. Uncertain, chose road and climb. Meet sign to trail. Up more. Find trail.

Climbing all the time, make way out of park areas to wilder environs. Walk in front of the Castle Crags.

Pass water options as I count on last one, a tributary that turns out to be dry. Great views of the crags, other landscapes, blue tarp left as if climbing on the crags.

Begin tough climb low on water. With break, make it up to saddle, within hearing distance of creek described in guidebook. Low on agua, thirsty, I hike down to the headwaters through downed grasses, feel wetness. Hear, then find springs. Get capacity, back to trail. Cook, leave note on water for others.

Hike ridges around. Great views again. Turn once to find a close-up of Shasta. Firing away with camera, hiking ‘til dark. Across rocks, through forests.

Hiking ridge near “dry lakelet” when hear a crashing below. See big black bear running through a meadow. Thrilling feeling gets me around the ridge to a great spot on “brushy ridge.”

Drop it in set spot with great view of Shasta. Eat a little, crash under stars despite pestering mosquitoes.