Mile 100
So much happens in one day on the trail that it is hard to remember everything at the end of it as a whole. It’s easier if I try to think of it in sections.
The first 6.7 mile section that we hiked was from our campsite to a water cache a most amazing person or persons has left for hikers. If that cache wasn’t there, hikers would have to carry water to last them over 20 miles. For some hikers that is two or more days and water is heavy. Realy. Really. Heavy. Anyways. During that section I was ahead of K by a few turns. I listened to music for the first time to try and get my mind to think of something other than the heat and the dwindling amount of water in my platypus. We made really good time and made it to the water in between 2 and 2.5 hours and rested a little by the water before heading back to the trail.
This second section of the day was brutal. We climbed during the hottest part of the day and I have to take a break within the first 30 minutes after the water cache. About an hour after that we stopped for lunch in what seemed like the only shade for miles. Ideally we wanted to be able to lay down and maybe take a nap but of course the shade found itself on a slope next to the trail. After eating and cooling off a bit we continued on the ridge only to find another shaded spot. Perfect for napping. Figures. Slightly disappointed, I continued on my way. The ridge was finally starting to begin it’s gradual decline. Yay! But there was still about 6 miles to the next water source. Onwards! At some point K needed a break from the sun but I continued. I passed the two men that we had been leapfrogged a couple times that day and one of them (from Washington as well) told me I would need to hurry if I wanted to make it to Warner Springs by the end of the day. Spoiler alert: K and I made it. After a while of glorious vitamin D intake I gave myself 15 minutes to rest in the shade. Allowed my feet to breath and then continue.
In those 15 minutes a woman (now I know is M) passed me and K caught up. After a couple bends in the ridge we ran into M trying to take a really awkward looking selfie. IT WAS MILE 100! I have walked over 100 miles in the last five days. Wow.
After that we only had one more mile to the water source. It was a pretty long mile. But we made it.
With 16 miles already under our tennies today we stopped to eat dinner and talk to some fellow hikers. I made what I have been making for dinner every night except in a slightly larger portion… Mashed potatoes and veggies. Yum. After we had rested for an hour or two, K and I decided to go a bit further. We ended up feeling so good that we continued all the way to town. 25 miles total. Phew. The views on the way to town weren’t too shabby either. That’s what was my motivation to keep going. That and the fact my feet didn’t hurt that badly yet.
It was my favorite part of the hike, view wise so far. Especially in the afternoon/evening light. I couldn’t stop smiling.
At around 7 the sun began to set for real and we had found ourselves in an area that actually had real trees so it was getting a little dark. I broke out my headlamp for the first time in this adventure and we continued hiking. We finally made it to the Warner Springs community center where campers are able to camp outside and use the restrooms! Running water and soap. Glorious. I tried washing my face for the first time since starting the PCT and let me just say there were many layers of sunscreen that needed to be removed.