Day 36 - PCT 2024
Miles Hiked: 7.8 PCT, plus 2.5 Cougar Crest Trail
Total Ascent: 430.4 ft. plus 813 ft. (1,243.4)
Total Descent: 1,484.9 ft. plus 14.1 ft. (1,499)
Dr. Jess showed up at 7:30 to give Kathryn and me a ride back to trail. She decided to hike up Couger Crest Trail with us and it was nice having the company. The fresh snow made everything so beautiful but this morning was cold. Today is the first day I wore my fleece hiking. Usually I stick to my sun hoodie because I know as soon as I get my heart rate up I’m going to sweat. I eventually took it off. The elevation gain at the start hit me hard, even though it was gentle. I find my body doesn’t move fast (or well) after I come off a zero. I envy the people who feel rested and reenergized.
Once back on the PCT, Dr. Jess left us to hike back to her car and we were on our way. We wanted to start early to avoid post holing and we were glad we did because the snow was plentiful. We didn’t put our microspikes on but for miles 280-283 we probably should have. The sun was hitting the snow and it was getting slippery. Thankfully I only had a couple post holing incidents and nothing like the other day but I did take a fall. Nothing serious. After mile 283 we started to drop below the snow line. As we neared our camp at Little Bear Springs Camp, mile 285.6, we were entirely out of the snow. We met a guy section hiking for a few days and hiked with him down to camp, but he decided to continue on another 4 miles so we said our goodbyes.
We were the first to arrive at camp. We arrived at camp early in the day. Finally! A day where we picked up speed. I’ve been slow since Idyllwild. A combination of weather, hard terrain, a heavier pack and crappy shoes. I much prefer hitting trail early and getting to camp with the sun still shining for awhile. We knew of a group behind us as Kathryn was hiking with them previously. They started to stroll into camp one by one until we had a big group here. Other hikers arrived as well. I counted 12 tents, but I’m sure there are more spread out, many of them Durston tents. It’s like a field of sage tents. This is probably the most people I’ve encountered at one tent site.
We got spoiled with a picnic bench and an open air privy here. A pile of us spent hours chatting and eating at the bench. What a great way to relax at the end of a day.
