PCT Day 16: Whitewater to Mission Creek

Daily Miles: 20.0, Total Miles: 238.6

I awoke early and discovered I was camping next to a telescope that tourists use to gaze into the mountains.

Just a short distance away, I found the water, bathrooms and picnic grounds I should have camped at – just too dark to see last night. Hiked up the Whitewater Creek drainage and then up and over into the Mission Creek drainage. After several creek crossings, stopped and had lunch with my feet in the cold creek – another soothing therapy!

I saw three snakes today including an angry rattler which gave me plenty of warning. Just when I let my guard down, I came about an inch from stepping on a snake and was in the air (no small feat with a backpack) when I realized it was a harmless gopher snake. Adrenaline was flowing!

After much climbing, I got just shy of Mission Creek trail camp and found water. I’m camping tonight near Justin, Turtle and Willow. A cool night at 8,000 ft elevation. Almost 6,000 ft vertical today so legs are weary.