Mile 134 to 149

Guzzler

On Tuesday Paradise Cafe closes by three. There is no way we can make it. Trail rumor has it the burgers are to die for, so we set our sights on a campsite three miles short. Our hunger attack on Paradise will commence on Wednesday. Yes, we will try to have burgers, even if for breakfast.

Our first objective is Tule Springs. We arrive and filter water for the long up. In a few miles we reach Gussler, a sketchy cistern, with a sign stating there are dead animals in the water. Thirst can make you pretty desperate, but to avoid the guilt of someone having to post a sign that there are dead thru-hikers in the water, we pass. On the way I notice garter snakes in the top of a bush, attempting to mate. It seems way too hot for that to me.

We eventually arrive at a real cache, with racks of bottled water, dedicated to the PCT Class of 2015. Brian also finds powdered protein, which he drinks against my normally sound advice. A rattlesnake drops onto the trail in front of me, making a great opportunity for video. He even displays his coil and rattling skills.

Bri bonks again, so we stop and rest at another cache with picnic tables, hiker box, shade and a library of books in a glass case. The library makes me nervous about how long we will be there. After all, I am a pretty slow reader. But with rest and some electrolytes, Bri storms up the hill to our campsite, where we crash with Florida and others waiting to pounce on Paradise.

Water Cache

Rattle Snake