Duo and Solo Hiking

California, Section K: Echo Lake to Highway 80

Section L: Highway 80 to Highway 49

Section M: Highway 49 to Belden

I am now 1286.8 miles down the PCT. Charles went home for a wedding and left the PCT at mile 1268. We just passed a little over three months on the trail and are currently on day ninety-seven.

After a relaxing zero day with the Sheltons, Charles and I took a bus to South Lake Tahoe to do grocery shopping. While at the post office we were offered two rides. One lady offered to drive us back to Echo Lake after errands and a guy drove us from the post office to the grocery store. That evening we hiked six miles to Aloha Lake.

On the Fourth of July we hiked up to Dick’s Pass and passed a few lakes throughout the day. We were hoping to camp on a ridge to see fireworks from Lake Tahoe, but instead had a nice campsite at Richardson Lake.

The next two days were absolutely beautiful with ridge walks, wildflowers, and views of Lake Tahoe. At Highway 40 and Donner Pass we met up with the Sheltons again, just for the evening. They were camping for the Fourth of July near Donner Lake.

Our next two days took us almost to Sierra City. We passed Interstate 80 and were treated to some roaming trail magic. Two women out hiking gave candy and fruit to PCT hikers. Lunch took place at the Peter Grubb Hut, a backcountry hut available skiers and hikers. Charles and I took a short detour right before Sierra City to find a waterhole and rope swing!

The next morning we had a short two mile walk into Sierra City to resupply. From here we both started solo hikes. Charles had a second wedding to attend and needed to arrive in Quincy in two and a half days (seventy-two miles) to hitchhike to Reno airport. I arrived in Quincy the day after him.

The hike out of Sierra City was steep and hot. The two days after leaving Sierra City were long at 24.6 and twenty-seven miles (my longest day!). While a little nervous the first night to be camping by myself, I got used to solo hiking pretty quickly.

Northern California is much drier than the Sierra, but there are pockets of plants colored a lush green around the springs and seasonal streams. I also crossed the middle fork of the Feather River, a National Wild and Scenic River.

I spent the night in Quincy and enjoyed pizza, ice cream, and a Farmer’s Market. I hitchhiked back to the trail the next day and hiked a little over thirteen miles in the afternoon. I had a beautiful view and sunset at my tent site, but a very unrestful night.

The wind (while not as strong compared to what we’ve encountered) caused my tent to flap too loudly to sleep, so I took it down a little before midnight. Though I checked the weather report, a little after 1:00AM it started to rain hard enough to warrant putting my tent back up.

The next morning I hiked a little less than six miles to Belden, where I will spend the rest of the day. From here it is on to Chester (just after the half-way point) to wait for Charles.