Pacific Crest Trail - Day 49

Start: Mile 485.6 - Backcountry campsite
End: Mile 505.8 - Bear Campground

Damn, these 20 mile days are becoming a regular occurrence.

We woke up early to beat the heat of the day. Made it out of camp at a respectable 6:45 am with 12 miles of uninterrupted climbing ahead of us.

I’m not sure what’s down there to burn. I’m guessing the sun lit the dirt on fire.

The Poodle Dog Bush in the back is an opportunistic poisonous plant that spreads following wildfire. There was a reforestation crew planting pine trees and using mattocks to clear circles of brush around them. Whatever they were being paid wasn’t enough.

Views from the ridge. Time for a siesta!

We were expecting a similarly sun-exposed stretch walking out of the campground where we killed 4 hours in the shade, but found a beautiful shaded green forest instead. Expectations are constantly upended in the best way on Pacific Crest Trail, mile-by-mile, minute-by-minute. I’m learning to drop them altogether and my legs are strong enough now that it doesn’t really matter what climb/water carry/obstacles lay ahead.

Self portrait.

500 marker with a newly planted pine tree surrounded by Poodle Dog Brush. Appropriate for this section!

500!