Mile 2073 to 2092

Not Singing In The Rain

We wake surprised that our wet tents have dried in the night, thanks to a warm gentle breeze. We down granola and powdered milk and re-enter the green tunnel, which is getting a bit old. We are passing the huge Timothy Lake yet we can never really see it. I guess you can’t see the lakes for the trees either.

We filter water at a very cold and clear stream. Our planned campsite has a seasonal spring but we are not sure what season, so we load up with too much. We pass a trail split to Little Crater Lake but decide to pass, fearing we may re-encounter first-ever-PCT man and I am just too tired to shake his hand repeatedly.

As we hike we begin hearing the strangest, loudest and most persistent screeching I have ever heard. I pride myself on being able to identify a wide variety of forest birds and animals, but frankly I got nothing. Kevin declares it Sasquatch mating calls and we move on. Sure science may have benefited if we stayed and solved the mystery, but there is a buffet north of us and priorities are priorities.

My Watery Soda

We climb up and down Wapinitia Pass, ending up at Highway 26 where we find trail magic. The sodas are on ice, so refreshingly cold. I feel great about my selection until I realize mine has 160 calories and Kevin’s has 190. Suddenly mine feels as weak as water.

We press up and over Barlow Pass and the magic-less Highway 35. Our goal is to be within striking distance of the Timberline buffet. As we are on the final climb to camp it begins to rain, and does so off and on the rest of the way. We set up camp in the rain. We cook and eat in the rain. We climb into bed and sleep in the rain. But rain or shine, tomorrow we will be gorging at the buffet and life will be good.