- The Pacific Crest Trail Blog of ‘Tatters’ 2017
- Scout and Frodo ‘A Homely Beginning’ – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [01]
- Am I Really in a Desert? – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [02]
- Scissors Crossing and Julian ‘A First Time for Many Things’ – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [03]
- Early Mornings and Desert Superblooms – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [04]
- Paradise Café & Idyllwild ‘The Motivation for Food and Alcohol Grows!’ – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [05]
- San Jacinto & Fuller Ridge ‘Alpha Mountaineering Crew’ – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [06]
- Trail-names, Burgers & Sleeping in Cyclones – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [07]
- ‘Hippy Hot Springs’ & Big Miles to McDonald’s – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [08]
- Motivation into Wrightwood & Mount Baden Powell – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [09]
- Trail Closures & Reuniting at Hiker Heaven – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [10]
- Trail Family United & Casa de Luna – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [11]
- A Truly Hot and Dry Desert Surrounding Hikertown – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [12]
- Tehachapi Zero and Nero Day Morale Boosting! — PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [13]
- Nearing the End of the Desert? – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [14]
- Lake Isabella & Last Stops Before the Snow and Mountains! – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [15]
- Kennedy Meadows ‘Into the Mountains We Go!’ — PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [16]
- Off to Lone Pine – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [17]
- Badass Mountaineers on Mount Whitney – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [18]
- Forester Pass & the Township of Bishop – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [19]
- Glen Pass & the End of the Family: PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [20]
- Mountaineering on Pinchot Pass & Mather Pass – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [21]
- Muir Pass, Evolution Creek, & Flooded Creek Crossings – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [22]
- Walls of Snow at Mammoth & Donohue Pass — PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [23]
- Solo Hiking to Yosemite Valley – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [24]
- The Waterfalls of Yosemite & Sonora Pass – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [25]
- Truly Alone in the Wild (near Ebbetts Peak) – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [26]
- South Lake Tahoe, Dicks Pass & Frozen Lakes – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [27]
- Desolation Wilderness & Truckin’ to Truckee – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [28]
- A Week Off-trail for 4th July with Rex! – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [29]
- Back on Trail, Sierra City & Out of the High Sierra – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [30]
- New Faces, Middle Feather Fork River and Belden – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [31]
- The PCT Halfway Point and Lassen Volcanic Wilderness – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [32]
- Chilling with Bears, Old Station & Burney Lodge – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [33]
- Burney Falls to Dunsmuir – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [34]
- Deadfall Lakes and Finding the Long Lost Dinosaur – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [35]
- Rockin’ Through the Trinity Alps Wilderness – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [36]
- Sky High Lakes & Grider Creek – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [37]
- Bye Bye California, Hello Oregon! – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [38]
- Rollin’ Along the Meadows to Lake Hyatt – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [39]
- ‘A Hike of Ice and Fire’ – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [40]
- Frustrating Closures & Shelter Cove – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [41]
- ‘Bending’ Past PCT Fire Closures & Homely Trail Angels – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [42]
- Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge & the PCT Days Event- PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [43]
- Preparations for the Final Month in Washington – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [44]
- Mt Adams & Ascending into Eternity – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [45]
- Amazing Goat Rocks Wilderness & Resting in Packwood – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [46]
- White Pass & More Fire Closures! – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [47]
- The Beautiful Deception Lake & Loving the New Trail Family! – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [48]
- The German Town of Leavenworth & Hiking in Beauty – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [49]
- Mica Lake, Suiattle River & the Final Push into Stehekin – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [50]
- All Good Things Come to an End… The PCT Northern Terminus! – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [51]
Sky High Lakes & Grider Creek – PCT 2017: A Hiking Story [37]
Previous Post:
Part 36 ‘Rockin’ Through the Trinity Rocks’
Day 111 (30/07) – Sky High Lakes
This morning, we were all so tired for some reason, and didn’t leave until 7am. Bubbles had a package to collect on Wednesday, and we considered her our hiking buddy – so we decided to slow down our hiking to arrive there then. It meant some small hiking days.
We passed through huge varieties of flowers – so many colours! The walk was great, although there were many exposed burn areas from past fires.
We decided to camp at a lake far off-trail because we wanted to swim. It was getting much hotter, and we decided on Sky High Lake, which was coming up in several miles.
Eventually, we detoured off the PCT and into the valley. We arrived at Lower Sky High Lake where swimming was first! As we swam, both girls were more concerned with the amount of ‘squishy plants‘ under their feet than actually just relaxing- but all having a laugh, enjoying the break. We set up camp in a tight area under some trees and ate dinner whilst conversing.
Distance hiked: 15 miles
Total PCT hiked: 1619.5 miles
Day 112 (31/07) – Paradise Lake
After waking at 6am, and slowly getting ready to leave, we decided to do a super short nero day of 7 miles and get to Paradise Lake.
We continued on the side trail around the lakes and rejoined the PCT at Marble Mountain. The mountain was unique and pretty spectacular. We found some sections where water dissolved huge holes, creating huge ravines.
The day was humid and muggy, and we were pleased to arrive at the lake around midday, where we set up camp and had lunch. The girls attempted to swim, but the lake was shallow and muddy on the bottom, and they settled for a splash bath at the stream. I had a quick swim, it wasn’t as nice as other lakes, but still refreshing.
Relaxing in the tent was pleasant, and not something I was used to doing for so long (during the day). I made use of the spare time to upload my photos to my phone, and catch up with blogging as best I could – with a cup of jasmine tea!
I needed to filter water and whilst I was out, also needed a number two. I ended up digging a cat hole behind a tree where Rex and Bubbles couldn’t see me, which also appeared to be far enough off-trail. I was only wearing long johns, and I reached to lower them… when suddenly, I heard sounds…. conversation perhaps? And BOOM, three hikers rounded the corner. It became quickly apparent I was much closer to the trail than I had previously thought! With cat-like reflexes, I hid behind a tree and froze as if I was about to be attacked or something. I sucked in a slow… deep breath, and became the tree. It was awkward as fuck, but I sighed a relief as they passed without seeing me! Phew! After, I laughed about imagining hiking past someone taking a dump on the side of the trail whilst waving back.
Distance hiked: 7.5 miles
Total PCT hiked: 1626.5 miles
Day 113 (01/08) – Grider Creek
A 6am start should have been nice and cool, but it was still warm… too warm – today was going to be hot! We sweatily climbed the last few miles to the top of the ridge, seeing another beautiful sunrise and surrounded by flowers.
We then started our long descent to Seiad Valley. It was here where we planned to camp, just before the tiny little town itself. Along the way down were many thimbleberry and blackberry bushes, and we feasted!
The entire stretch was hot as balls! (quoting Rex). After hiking down the long Grider valley, We arrived at a small bridge crossing to the left side of the valley. It was here we swam in Grider Creek, in an awesome waterhole under the bridge. The water was cold but refreshing!
It then grew more hot and intense, and reached a temperature of 40℃ (105℉)! It was not fun to hike in the heat at all, especially since most of the area was part of a burn from several years ago. We eventually arrived at the campsite after another bridge, where we went for a second swim in Grider Creek.
It was so hot just doing nothing, we ended up going for a third swim before the sun went down and finally, could at least function. At 8pm it was still 30℃ (90℉), and laying in the tent to escape the bugs was hot. Such is life!
Distance hiked: 20.5 miles
Total PCT hiked: 1647 miles
Next Post:
Part 38 ‘Bye Bye California, Hello Oregon!’
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