Journey Day 79 | PCT Day 79

Haze from fires clouded view as we hiked toward Sonora Pass.

7/4/85

Up from our meadow campsite, I’m first out of camp. Weird haze I later learn came from megafires including 90 San Diego homes, four days ago while I was in the  mountains. Bugs pester us again as we leave. The boys catch me filling water. They pass and I see them again at the foot of a 1,500 foot climb. We climb to the top of this volcanic ridge.

Mystical mountain top. Fog, wind and the top of the world. I hike down behind the rest in a dreamy state. Wind brings me back to reality, along with tough going on the volcanic path. Stop after round ridge to get out of the wind. No boys. After break, I find them just ahead out of sight. Eat bacon bar for lunch, hike on down, up, down, up, through wild mountains.

Cross some snow, pass a still frozen lake. Taking forever. Passing 4th of July hikers. One couple gives me an apricot, providing me some spark. More ridge walking leads to a descent.

Keith catches me, we decide to a trial separation. They’ll head into Bridgeport for the 4th celebration, I’ll hike on and meet up again in Echo Lake. Finally to the highway junction. Quickly I move on after parting salutations with Eric. He did amazingly well. An energetic guy. He gives up his remaining food. We snap like carp for each item.

And then there was one. Walk across the highway to the trailhead. Dumping my trash when a man takes interest. A Marine with him tries my pack. He’s learning mountain warfare in these mountains. They give me a Pepsi which I quickly down.

I’m off, up again on a “torturous” climb which seems average except for two slips and a washed-out trail. After gaining the saddle, crossing the crest, I begin a search for a spot which ends above Wolf Creek Lake.

I camp alone for the first time. Munch, delighted with my added selection, thanks to Eric. We’ll see how this solo hiking goes. So far I like it just fine.