Journey Day 87 | PCT Day 87

Sunset along the Pacific Crest.

7/12/85

Up slowly, we break camp early. Resolve to meet at Highway 40. Hike up to Tinkers Knob, where I shoot photos. Another tough climb, but great views off the top.

Along ridge to Anderson Peak. I break along the ridge. Then more hiking down across rocks, some good trail. Then up again to ridge with a ski lift. Then down around Mt. Lincoln. Descend after talking with an old couple.

No twins at Highway 40 as I suspected. Man says he saw two hiking toward Soda Springs, so I hike on alone. Across 40, up into rock, I find break spot. It’s nice for the long break I’d promised myself after twins’ departure. But the sun shifts, I’m getting hot as I update this journal. With much regret, I leave my spot between highways. no sign of Keith or the New Hampshire hiker the three equestrian types had talked of.

So I’m alone. It feels nice. The stretch between Old 40 and new Super 80 is a nice anomalous environment. Treed, granite formations create nice atmosphere. On either side are highways, but in this tiny natural island, signs of man are sparse aside from the path I tread. And me.

Some climbing, then down to rest stop. People with Cokes everywhere gawk at the strange hiker. I go inside, call REI. Again civilization throws a wrench into my good time. Susan can’t tell me what I can order and I have no catalog. While she checks, I get water, wash myself and socks despite crowd in the bathroom. Rest stops never sleep!

Phone on the fritz when I call back. After time and tries, give up. Other phone in control of large, upset truck driver type.

So I  hike through the woods back to the trail, then through a culvert to the other side of the highway. Stash pack and run up to the other rest stop. Susan’s out to lunch, so Pam and I do what we can using Susan’s notes. We’ll see what arrives in Castella. As I get back to my pack, Keith calls to me. After exchange, he hikes on to the Sierra Club Peter Grubbs Hut. I’m headed to pass with my 10 pounds of water.

After some stumbling around lost, then a climb, I’m at the top. So’s Keith. We talk, camp on pass. Two dayhikers come up. We exchange, they’re gone. We’re on top of this mountain for the  night. Eat quickly in sack. Mosquitoes, having faked us out by waiting ‘til we’d made camp, attack. But sleep comes quickly.