PCT: CA Section P - Highway 5 to Etna Summit
Day 104 - 8/18/25 - Back on trail, Castle Crags
Distance: 7 miles
Weather: Sunny, high of 85°
End Location: Disappearing Creek
Lessons Learned:
Woke up around 7am
Alex and I drove to Redding while Will and Cecilia resumed the trail
Stopped at McDonalds for early lunch and then drove to the Airport to return the car
Ubered to bus station
And got the 1pm bus back to Mt Shasta
We hitched to Dunsmuir, where I mailed 1 pound of unneeded items (Nalgene, leather wallet, Trail Days Shirt, and necklace) back home
Got sandwiches to go at deli across the street
Then hitched to Castle Crags
Started hiking around 4:00pm, very hot
Hiked up a dirt road
Then ate late lunch by a sign for Bob’s Hat
Finally back on the PCT around 5pm
Hiked faster with my lighter gear
The forest here was interesting, instead of dense conifers, it was mainly made up of oaks and and shrub, but a few sugar pines were present as made evident by the giant pine ones on the ground
I saw a bear and two cubs running past the trail but didn’t bother me
After 7 miles, we ended at Disappearing Creek and set up our Cowboy camps
Ate dinner and went to bed, it felt good to be back on trail
Day 105 - 8/19/25 - Castle Crags and Porcupine Lake
Distance: 20 miles
Mile Start / End: 1512.6, 1532.8
Weather: Sunny, high 70s, lovely
End Location: Porcupine Lake
Lessons Learned:
Woke up around 7:30am
Left around 9am
Right off the bat, a 3000ft climb
Trying Alex’s no music for the first hour
It’s nice, gives you time to think about things
Climbed the switchback, felt out of shape after illness and nearly a week off from hiking
Heart raced fast
But the new pack and quilt make such a difference
Dropped nearly 6 pounds from my pack weight
Listened to a podcast then music
Around 12pm, great view of Shasta and Black’s Butte
Trying to make it 6 more miles to Seven Lakes for late lunch and water, that’ll put me at 12 miles for the day
Started listen to “Fellowship of the Ring” narrated by Andy Sorkin
Hobbit gives presents to other on their birthday, I like that
Still 4 miles out from Upper Seven Lake but got too hungry so stopped around 1pm and ate, decide I would swim at camp
Buff tuna tortilla with Asiago cheese, an apple, and a hoho
Had service so texted some friends, I had neglected the people that care about me while on the road trip
Left around 2:50pm
11 miles to camp at Lake Porcupine
Great ridgelines after lunch
Started with music but went back to LOTR
Passed Upper Seven Lake around 4pm
Saw Alex, he said he crossed off one of the bingo spot
Kept hiking
Trail Magic from “The Owl” near Picayune Spring
Gave me a coke and a cookie with whipped cream
Told me about the Lemorians, the tunnel people of Mt Shasta that live in the lava tubes, the city under the volcano is called Telos
Packed out another coke, who needs water when you have soda😅
Hiked along another beautiful ridgeline
Filled up water at White Ridge Soring, just enough to get to lake and boil water upon arrival
Amazing view of Shasta with some camp spots at the top of ridgeline
Made it to Porcupine Lake a little after sundown
Boiled water for MH Chicken and Dumplings, set up tent, then went swimming in the dark
Showgirl was already in his warm clothes and did not join me
Water was warm but I had a hard time finding my stuff again without a light lol
Went back up and changed into warm clothes
Ate dinner and drank tea
Went to bed just before 11pm
A good day, felt good to be back in the the swing of things properly
Day 106 - 8/20/25 - Trinity Mountains
Distance: 22.5 miles
Mile Start / End: 1532.8, 1554.3
Weather: Sunny with light rain in the afternoon, high 70; low 51°
End Location: saddle by an old dirt road
Lessons Learned:
Showgirl woke me up around 6:45 a.m.
Packed up, made coffee, ate a honey bun.
Lake was beautiful and calm in the morning light with beautiful reflections.
Left at 8:25 a.m.
Passed Toad Lake, beautiful view of Shasta.
Ridgeline with a breeze, lovely.
Passed a few hikers, maybe SOBOs.
Shasta View Spring, aptly named.
Walked along orange-reddish rocks towards Trinity Mountains.
Stopped around 11 a.m. for a break at the stunning Deadfall Lake.
Washed off, ate a protein bar and trail mix under Mt. Eddy in the distance, thought about doing a quick side quest but I’ve side-quested enough.
Left at 11:30 a.m.
Shortly after leaving, I met a cowboy named Ralph Dillon and his white horse, Freckles going towards Mt Eddy
Listened to PCT playlist and then switched to LOTR.
“I pity snails and all those that carry their homes on their backs.”
Feel that😅
Crossed forest road 42N17 around 12:40 p.m.
Stopped for lunch at a dribbling creek with pools to fill up in.
Saw a spotted frog and some water skates swimming around.
Ate tuna tortilla with hot sauce and Doritos.
Took off shoes and rolled out feet.
Texted Showgirl and left around 2:45 p.m.
Goal is 10 more miles.
Nice hiking, slightly uphill.
Clouds blocked the sun but never rained even though the forecast called for it.
Passed Bull Lake around 4:45 p.m.
Filled up water around 5 p.m., 5L enough to dry camp and hike far tomorrow
Then ate one of the honeybuns my mom sent me.
New plant unlocked Pitcher Plant.
Talked with some SOBOs.
Left just before 6 p.m.
Hiked 3.3 more miles to a campsite on a ridge.
Set up tent and made dinner while watching the sun set behind the mountains to the west, mountains that I would be in tomorrow most likely.
Instant mashed potatoes with powdered hot sauce, Sriracha, and chicken.
Used an extra tortilla with hot sauce to wipe the Jetboil.
Retreated to the tent and watched an episode of Geordie Shore.
Went to bed around 10 p.m.
Set alarm for 6 a.m.
Day 107 - 8/21/25 - The Trinity Alps
Distance: 21.3 miles
Mile Start / End: 1554.3, 1575.6
Weather: Sunny, H: 78°, L: 55°
End Location: burnt hill near Mavis Lake
Lessons Learned: don’t let other hikers dissuade you from camping at a spot
Alarm at 6am
Snoozed until 6:30ish
Packed up by 7:20am
Breakfast and coffee to go, left around 8am
Lovely morning hiking
No need music for first hour and half, the birds provided that with their chirping
Around 10am, caught another glimpse of grey, granite peaks of the Trinity Alps
Descent to trailhead, bag is so light now I can actually jog down… incredible
Made it down to Scott’s Mountain Campground around 11am (have gone 7.5 miles in 3 hours)
Ate rest of trail mix in form of a burrito and drank rest of coffee
Left 12pm
Want to make it to Boulder Lake for Lunch 8 miles away but may settle for Mosquito Lake 6 miles away
4 mile and 1500ft climb out of campground, listened to podcast on LaCroix
Huge gold rattlesnake slithered across the trail in front of me… they’re back
Ate some wild raspberries near the top of climb
Met SOBO hiker “Forager” and told her about the foraging opportunity up ahead
She knew my name from Showgirl and asked if I knew his phone died
She seemed concerned but we both figured he would be fine
Made it to Mosquito Lake Outlet around 2:15pm, was too hungry to make it to Boulder Lake and there was a good pool to bath in
Filled up water then washed off, the cold water felt wonderful on my sweaty and hot skin
Chugged water and ate lunch, tuna tortilla again
Relaxed next to the creek and enjoyed the sounds of nature
Left just before 4pm
With 4 hours of daylight, I figured I could make it another 8 miles, might camp at Mavis Lake in 7.5 miles
Bit of a steep climb to Boulder Lake Junction
But worth it, amazing ridgelines and views of the Scott’s Mountain, Mt Shasta, and Trinity Alps
Is it better to be in the mountains? Or to have a wonderful view of them?
Big reveal, view of middle alpine ponds and Middle Boulder Lake
Another climb, 500 ft
Top at 6:30pm, now only downhill left for today
Decided not to got down to Mavis Lake to save time tomorrow so filled up water at stream 0.5 away from camp
Reach camp around 7:15pm but a SOBO hiker had taken the best spot… great
He was enjoying his dinner while watching the spectacular sunset
I was enjoying seeing the SOBOs but now I was pretty annoyed with them
Hiked further and tried to find a different spot with a similar view
Found an okay cowboy spot amongst some burnt woods on a hill, I guess this will do
I was exhausted and starving, major brain fog
Made a ramen bomb and felt better after eating
Set up blow up pad and quilt
Watched the sunset
For the first time ever, mosquitoes came out after sunset and annoyed me while I watched some TV
Went to bed around 10pm but was periodically woken up by the sound of mosquitoes buzzing in my ears, didn’t sleep great
Wish I would’ve just made friends with the other hiker and camped near him in my tent… lesson learned
Day 108 - 8/22/25 - Russian for no Reason
Distance: 24 miles
Mile Start / End: 1575.6,
Weather: Sunny, H:88°, L:57° - heat advisory for Callahan
End Location: Payne Lake
Lessons Learned:
Woke up just before 6 a.m.
Packed up, ate breakfast, and drank coffee with the sunrise
Left just before 7 a.m.
That is one of the perks to cowboy camp: you get going early
Hiked through burnt trees on a high route just below peaks
Saw another gorgeous view of the Trinity Alps, the ones in the distance looked as tall and massive as the Sierras
Hiked down and stopped at South Fork Scott River for a snack and water refill before climbing around 9:40 a.m.
Left at 10:15 a.m.
2000ft climb over the next 7 miles
Will try to make it to Bingham Lake for lunch
Climb up was exposed and in the sun
Steep
Listened to music and then LOTR:
“All that is gold, does not glitter; not all those who wander are lost
Took lunch by a trickling spring
Laid down under the shade of some white pines
Tried to nap but the flies put a stop to that again, can’t wait to get some real sleep in my tent tonight, I am exhausted…
9 miles to Payne Lake and the sanctity of slumber amongst lumber and water
Another steep climb after lunch, but awesome views made it worth it
Then down
Filled up water at the last stream before a steep 500ft climb in the hot sun around 4 p.m.
Residual white smoke from the Boulder Creek fire burned in the woods to the west
A rock formation that looked like a middle finger mocked me as I climbed, I returned the favor and flicked it off back
Entered the Russian Wilderness, not sure why they call it that… looks pretty American
1.5 miles out changed socks (sweaty feet and hot spots) before last climb, great view of Shasta
Descent
Made it to camp around 7pm
Weekend backpackers at campsite
More weekend backpackers at back of lake, seems like a rowdy bunch from all the yelling and hollering, but ending up finding a nice little spot across from the first group
Set up water, then tent, then went for a swim
Salamanders in the water, did my best not to step on them
Changed and then dinner with view of lake
Couldn’t see the sunset but caught the colors, great reflections
The evening always seems to make the toils of the day worth it
Day 109 - 8/23/25 - to Etna
Distance: 5.6 miles
Mile Start / End:
Weather: Sunny, heat advisory
End Location: Etna, Blue Bird Inn
Lessons Learned: if the world gives you a sign, pay attention
Woke up just before 6am
Packed up
Breakfast is a new one… instant mash potatoes in my water bottle so I can drink on the go
And electrolytes with collagen protein in the other
It was all I had left😅
Departed around 7am
5.6 miles to Etna Trailhead
Steep climb
Passed Taylor Lake around 8am
Passed Smith Lake, crazy views
Listened to Kill Tony, then TED Talk
Descent
Speaker starts her day by drink coffee and reading obituaries
“Every day is invented”
“Walking solves all problems, walking leads to the enjoyment of sitting or riding a bus
Trueee
Passed some lady hikers going to Paynes Lake, told them they were in for a treat
As I hiked down the last few miles to the trail head, I wondered how I would get down to Etna
I certainly did not want to hike the steep, paved descent of 9 miles
Figured I would just hitch, hoped that someone would be driving by😅
I made it to the trail head around 9am
There was a monk in orange and red robe stand there next to his car as if he were waiting…
We exchanged salutations and I asked what he was doing there
“Just checking it out and taking a pic of the sign” he told me
Interesting hahahah the sign was pretty basic😂
I asked him for a ride, he was going the other way back to The Bay Area but he happily obliged
On the drive down, we had a pretty deep conversation
His name was Legtsok and explained that he was American born but became a Tibetan Buddhist Monk after surviving testicular cancer and traveling the world
Eventually he was ordained by the Dali Lama and brought his wisdom back to the states
We talked about our parents and how funny it is that a child can be so different
We talked about our struggles and I told him a bit about my rough patch
I told him it felt like kismet that he was there, and that I had just been thinking I ought to read up / listen to some Buddhist teachings
He gave me some book recommendations and dropped me off at the Bakery in Etna
If the world gives you a sign, pay attention… lesson learned
Easily my favorite hitch so far 😌
At the bakery, I ordered a focaccia breakfast sandwich, a chocolate danish and a cold brew
Scarf down food and caught up with the would via phone service
Went to store for drinks and to see what they had
Then to backpacking store for a water bottle holder, so I don’t have to stop hiking to drink
Got the CTUG shoulder strap, so happy the had it
Then back to store for actual resupply
Also got steak for dinner tonight, wanted to cook for Showgirl as a way to say thanks for driving the entire road trip
After store, went to Blue Bird Inn and booked a bunk at the Hostel
It was much but there was AC and a cute girl there so I took it
The girl was a SOBO hiker named “Mud Skipper” and we quickly got to chatting
She was taking a break to rest her knee while her partner finished up the Marble Mountain Section, after which, she continue hiking
Another SOBO hiker named Smokey got a bunk, also pretty cute
Then Showgirl booked a bunk, not cute - was so tired of seeing this dude 🙄
Just kidding
We all hung out and joked around and just had a fun time
Told them about PCT Bingo and they wanted to play
They even helped come up with new prompts
I got a text from Ellie saying that she was in town and wanted to meet up later
Steven, the Inn Keeper, let me cook the steaks in the main house and Showgirl and I had a lovely meal
Then rode bikes over to the Distillery to meet up with Ellie, MudSkipper and Smokey joined as well
I was on a sober streak so didn’t drink (it was also a PCT Bingo space)
Got a root beer and a bourbon cheesecake dessert, yum
Caught up with Ellie who had been hiking with Gabe, she seemed exhausted
Rode bikes back to the Hostel and passed out around midnight
I really liked Etna, it was small but lovely and everyone seemed happy to talk and I was happy to talk to them
Day 110 - 8/24/25 - Zero Day in Etna
Breaky at the hostel.
Eggs, sausage, delicious toast and jam, and coffee.
Chatted with some weekend hikers.
Then Hopper, the other hiker staying at the hostel, joined, and we chatted.
He’s retired and has hiked a lot of the long trails.
Then Showgirl, Mudskipper, and Smokey came.
We changed some Bingo prompts and finalized the card (asked ChatGPT for help brainstorming).
One of the prompts we liked was called the potato challenge and required us to carry a potato, draw a face on it, name it, and carry it for 100 miles.
After breakfast, everyone mainly worked on their chores or resupplied.
I got most of mine done yesterday but caught up on the blog. I hadn’t posted in a while.
For lunch, we went to the brewery.
I swung by the store on the way and grabbed a potato. I asked the worker what I should name it.
“Dusty,” he told me. Done deal.
Mudskipper’s partner, Stork, had made it into town and met us at the brewery.
I got the Tri-tip sandwich and a Dr Pepper, still going strong in my sober streak.
I drew an angry face and eye patch on my potato and made him watch me eat my French fries hahahaha.
Then I drew a tux and assless chaps on him.
He would be called Dusty… Dusty Cheeks😂
After the brewery, everyone went to the store, and I joined, getting some stuff for dinner and ice cream.
Saw NOBO hiker Claire for the first time in a while.m and told her about the hostel.
Then I went back to the hostel and relaxed. I planned on popping out later for some dessert.
Claire joined the hostel.
Then Magellan joined.
It was like a big reunion😅
The distillery closed earlier than I anticipated, so I didn’t make it out, but oh well, it was nice to relax.
Went to bed around 11 p.m.
