PCT Day 131: Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Daily Miles: 26.4, Total Miles: 2428.6

My son called last night with news on my fantasy football league draft – he’s the league commissioner. I had to put the draft of my Purple Haze team on automatic because I was hiking. The results do not look good – only a few players I recognize as good ones.

Shortly thereafter I had what I think was some kind of food poisoning that kept me close to the bathroom for hours until the wee hours of the morning. What a drag!

Felt better in the morning and left for the trail at 7:30am. I was tested right away by a 2,500 ft climb into the high country of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Lots of colorful, craggy peaks, some still with snow, and sheer cliffs.

Traversed around several alpine lakes and up along Chikamin Ridge to Chikamin Pass.

Next, a 2,000 ft descent crossing Delate Creek and nice waterfall, Lemah Creek with a washed out bridge, and North Fork Lemah Creek.

I started up a 2,200 ft climb to Escondido Ridge and set up camp on a wide switchback on the trail.