Day 45 - PCT 2024
Miles Hiked: 7.6
Total Ascent: 980 ft.
Total Descent: 1,755.9 ft.
I barely slept. Off and on. I awoke exhausted at 4:30am. But as I laid in my tent, I watched the sunrise peak over the horizon. It was beautiful. One of my most favourite sunrises ever. Totally worth being awake for. I was still feeling sick. Coughing and trying to hold it in so I didn’t wake the others but being unsuccessful. Two hikers woke up very early and hiked out. I was the third to leave. I wanted to tackle the snow as early as possible but still leave myself enough time to take breaks if I could.
I had a bad fall on the snow and ice. My snow baskets on my poles wouldn’t stay on. I took them off. Why bother when I have to keep finding them buried deep in the snow. I was trying to follow a parallel dirt road that followed the trail. It was easier, comments on FarOut read. I guess so. Except when it intercepted the trail. Tracks were everywhere. I got lost. Again, and again. This section of trail was hard. I was feeling so sick too which didn’t help. My cough was bad. My headache was bad. I was tired. I finally found the road again. I’d just follow the road to Highway 2. My knee started to act up as I descended. Following others' snow tracks didn’t help. I touched it out as best I could.
The road led right into a ski resort and onto a ski hill. I was confused. Where’s the road? Do I walk across this ski run? Am I in the right place? Did I miss something? I kept checking my Garmin maps and the FarOut map. I was on the road. Thankfully, the ski resort was closed. Imagine being here 2 weeks ago with skiers coming down the mountain?! This experience was fun. It was unique. I walked across the hill and found the road pick up on the other side. It happened again and this time I was prepared. A guy on a bike road by carrying his snowboard on his back. I’d follow his bike track down, I thought to myself. Eventually I found myself nearing Highway 2 and the snow tapered off.
I was thrilled to make it to the road! I decided I’d get to Wrightwood and find accommodation and take a zero to recover. Highway 2 is closed beyond Inspiration Point. I was able to hitch a ride from a couple of day hikers and their adorable large dog. They were excited to pick up a real PCT hiker. Especially having just day hiked part of the trail. They asked a pile of questions and I happily answered but was thrilled to get into Wrightwood so I could stop suppressing my cough.
I called the Cedar Lodge and booked a room. $179 USD a night. Yikes. At least I’d have a warm bed.
