PCT Miles 1160.9 to 1181.8
Miles Hiked = 20.9
Today was another beautiful morning as I again hit the trail by 7am – there were a few high clouds but the skies were essentially blue and clear.
When I’m home I follow other hikers blogs on the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) website. If interested go to http://www.pcta.org and then click on Blog and then Journalist.
As I hiked this morning I thought about the “purpose” of my current blog. When Donna and I started at the Southern Terminus last year, the purpose was to keep a journal of our experience and share it with family and friends and others who may be interested. I guess that is still the main purpose. But as I experience more and more of the PCT, my blog is really about sharing The Trail with family and friends and interested others. The PCT is so amazing, so diverse, so unique and so beautiful. So, it’s really All About The Trail!
Today was an easier hiking day mainly because there was not as much elevation gain.
As you can see from the above screen shot of today’s elevation profile, I had more downhill than uphill. Thank you Trail.
As I hiked this morning I passed through these fields of blooming Woolly Mules Ears.
I’ve actually been passing through a lot of these colorful fields. They are usually on hillsides with lots of sunshine.
I passed this large tree on a hillside next to a field of Mules Ears.
I took a mid-morning rest/snack break and enjoyed the following view of the surrounding forest
A little later I filled up at Snowbank Spring which was only 25 feet off the trail – this may be the best water I’ve had along the PCT. It was clear and ice cold!
This wasn’t a stream – it was a spring bubbling up out of the ground about five feet above the trough in the above photo.
Before I stopped for lunch I enjoyed more views of the surrounding landscapes
Later in the afternoon, I was up on a ridge with great 360 degree views, so shot the following video.Even later in the afternoon, I passed through more Wooly Mule Ear fields.
I ended up camping at a campground that was a little off the PCT (3/4 mile) but it was worth it to have a picnic table, water spigot, trash can and a restroom. Yippee!
Thanks for reading.
Hello Dr. Miller! I’ve been following your adventures with great interest and fascination. I felt compelled to comment on your post today.These posts are certainly about the trail, but also much more… For a reader like me, they are also about how you are navigating the trail, exploring it, reacting to it, interacting with it, and being part of it, how you fit into it as you pass through it. Happy trails, keep walking, keep writing!
Ece Batchelder
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Hi Ece – very good to hear from you – thanks for your nice comments – hope you and your family are doing well!
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Amazing part of the trail. Truly gorgeous. Look forward to all your posts.
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Thanks Mark! Hi to Dede!
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I love the Woolley Mule Ears….so many of them. All the wild flowers in Atascadero have been gone since June. It is just too hot here. I think your blog will be very helpful for other hikers on the trail. They will know what to expect. Great pics again.
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I think this is one of my favorite posts you have done. Love the different landscapes and flowers. So happy that you share this. Wish Donna was with you but she probably enjoyed National Beach Day with your pup
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Thanks Val!
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So glad you are having great weather, here in FL, we’re prepping for a hurricane!😳. Love learning about all plants you’re seeing, never heard of some of them! Continue to be safe and I look forward to your future posts!
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Thanks Jerri – good luck with Dorian!
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Todd, I cannot believe the mileage and elevations you are putting in. That’s amazing! I walked 8.78 miles today with an elevation gain of 100 feet and it took me over 2 hours. I suck! AndI don’t even have any pictures to share of my walk. I double suck!! Tomorrow is a federal holiday. Will you be taking the day off?
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Thanks for the nice comments Bizzy – I’m off the trail for a rest now – hope to return for another segment before it gets too cold
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Most of us will never have a chance to hike these trails, it is so wonderful that you can share these photos and your experiences with us. Thank you Todd!
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Thanks Carrie!
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