Journey Day 69 | PCT Day 69

Up megaearly, we bolt camp.

6/24/85

Up megaearly, we bolt camp. Keith goes ahead, jumpy. I follow, my ankle still hobbling my style. Some wet creeks, trail as creek through fine pine forests. Send Keith ahead of my limping pace. Nice walking alone through woods, up rock ridges.

Do second crossing of creek, tricky, deep wade goes without incident, though I’m up to my waist.

Hike along rocky ridge. Up to pass over and down into valley. On switchbacks horse riders clearing trail block mine. I drop down, getting tired. Meet Matt and Mike, Santa Ana twins. Hike about looking for Keith, hot springs. Find neither.

Twins head down as I go up a trail that leads nowhere. Coming down, Keith shows. We drop to a spot below hot springs he found with a naked girl in it.  We eat, talk with twin Eades boys. Couple camping nearby includes PCT veteran Craig Wilkinson. We talk with him, twins head for Red’s Meadow.

After “hot tub,” talk more with Craig, his girlfriend, then off we go. Shin and ankle swelled, sore and stiff.

Stop and relax, pass a husband and father looking for a campsite so he can run back and get his wife, her pack and their children safely to camp. Find them at the bridge. Cross, Keith catches up, we climb up an unnamed ridge, on a path not described as on PCT in the guidebook. A good climb brings us atop the ridge.

After finding agua, we cross on a point overlooking all the nearby mountains everywhere you look. Another fine camp. We munch, bear bag, although still amateurs; write this and crash.

Note: Somewhat yearning for things of civilization. Missed Mary some today. Think a lot about what is happening in Midland, other places. Mom in Europe while I hike the Sierras. A six-month walking tour of California, Oregon and Washington along the Pacific Crest.