PCT Day 69: Barker Pass & Granite Chief

Daily Miles: 30.0, Total Miles: 1144.3

After a long walk through a deep forest, I climbed to Barber Pass where the PCT joins the Tahoe Rim Trail. I had a rest and lunch with Lint and Brooks.

Just prior to Barker Pass, I had my second encounter with a bear. She was climbing up the side of a hill and was going to intersect with the trail right in front of me. I yelled “Hey Bear” and she stopped and gave me a long look while I was backing up. Suddenly a cub appeared next to mama bear and bolted down the hill. Mama bear gave me a huff and ran after her cub. She stopped in a clearing at the bottom to check on my location before disappearing.

I soon entered Granite Chief Wilderness with beautiful flowers and good views of Lake Tahoe.

Pushed hard today because Mrs. Haze is picking me up tomorrow from Donner Pass – we’re going back to Lake Tahoe for R&R and to get reacquainted after such a long absence – been too long!