Daily Miles: 15.1, Total Miles: 1606.5 One good thing about an early start is a gorgeous sunrise. Red sky in the morning, hiker’s warning? After a short climb, I entered the Russian Wilderness. How did I get in this country? Nice views of sheer granite walls heading down South Russian Creek Canyon. I turned up and hiked over another ridge, passing scenic Payne’s Lake along the way. Good views of Mt Shasta and on into Oregon from the high point….
Daily Miles: 29.5, Total Miles: 1591.4 I heard cows bellowing and cowbells clanging down in the canyon last night. A short climb and headed around Scott Mountain, crossed Highway 3, and entered Trinity Alps Wilderness. I didn’t think cattle were part of the Wilderness Area experience but there they were! Most of the springs and several of the creeks were very suspect water sources due to hoof prints and cow patties everywhere. While I was eating near one spring, a…
Daily Miles: 30.9, Total Miles: 1561.9 I continued climbing to just over 7,000 ft elevation and passed high above several lakes including Toad Lake. Stayed between 6,000 to 7,000 ft elevation all day following the contours around several canyons. A few good views of Mt Shasta, one behind Bull Lake. Craggy Peak was another prominent mountain today. Seemed like I was going in circles today – all directions but north. Somewhat cooler today with cloud cover and by late afternoon…
Daily Miles: 24.5, Total Miles: 1531.0 I had Sylvester from Roadrunner Taxi pick me up and swing by the post office, grab some coffee and head out to the TH. They’ve only been in business for a few months and provide a good service in such a small town. A long, over 4,500 ft vertical climb today and maybe a few degrees cooler than yesterday. The trail entered Castle Crags Wilderness and swung around the southwest base of the pinnacles…
Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 1506.5 A Post office trip and usual hiker chores today but did take a swim in the pool. Otherwise, enjoyed the air-conditioned room. What else does Purple Haze do on the trail besides hike, eat and sleep? I do try to read a few pages every night but sometimes fall asleep on the first page. I have finished a few books I have loaded up on my iPhone. Nice rest today – back to the…
Daily Mileage: 9.7, Total Miles: 1506.5 Stayed hot well into the evening so an uncomfortable night. I have seen bear scat on the trail two days in a row. Or could it be Sasquatch scat? Just can’t tell the difference. Pretty much all downhill with good views of the upcoming Castle Crags. Crossed the Sacramento River and got to the on ramp for I-5 North to Dunsmuir. Not much traffic but got a ride fairly quickly. Staying at the Cave…
Daily Miles: 28.1, Total Miles: 1496.8 I kept heading down, crossing a few gullies and came out at the McCloud River. My family camped, fished and swam on this river years ago when we were living in the Bay Area. In fact, Mrs. Haze was the first to jump off the edge of a waterfall into a plunge pool below. Our boys, 8 or 9 years old at the time were so impressed they talked about it for years. Okay…
Daily Miles: 31.4, Total Miles: 1468.7 I continued the climb started yesterday and broke out of the forest with views of Bald Mountain and Grizzly Peak. Some great views of Mt Shasta but also obvious this is logging country – evidence of clearcut logging, some old, some new. I skirted the edge of Grizzly Peak and started the long descent to Deer Creek. A deer was coming up the trail while I was going down. The doe kept coming at…
Daily Miles: 25.5, Total Miles: 1437.3 I passed the fish hatchery walking along Baum Lake and saw several pelicans and herons fishing for their breakfast. Shortly after crossing Highway 89 was the Wild Bird cache provided by Randy and Kathy. What a fun setup with camp chairs, well-stocked coolers and a radio. All PCT hikers were encouraged to write their trail names on a picnic table. I had a grape soda, small candy bars, and ensured Purple Haze was well…
Daily Miles: 34.0, Total Miles: 1411.8 I left the motel a bit after 5am and hiked a few miles to the Hat Creek visitors center. Just a short detour from the trail, I filled up on water for the long, hot haul. I headed to the Hat Creek Rim and got my first good views of Mt Shasta, my next landmark for a few weeks. Also good views of the Hat Creek valley back towards Lassen Peak. Very little shade…
