July 13, 2008 Pacific Crest Trail

Destination: Seasonal Phipps Creek
Miles: 20

Adrian:
Billy, Stephen, Kirsten and I went to the coffee shop to get some breakfast while we waited for Chuck Norris to pick us up. Chuck and Tigger are two hikers come trail angels who are helping PCTers get around the fires and deal with harder hitches. They are from Florida and their red minivan is already legendary amongst the PCT clan.

The hike started on Echo Lake and we passed some wonderful lake cabins on our way into the Desolation Wilderness, so named for the barren granite that exists everywhere. The multitude of lakes adds to the beauty (and adds mosquitoes).

We hiked together and talked about old times and new, family, and the future. These are my best friends and having them here for a 61-mile stretch is real pleasure. Thank you boys!

Tomorrow we continue through the Desolation Wilderness and head into the Granite Chief Wilderness. We are hiking just west of Lake Tahoe and catch a glimpse of it ever now and again. Smoke clouds the view but it's not so bad today. We hope our luck continues as California burns around us...

Kirsten:
Remember when I mentioned throwing a rock into our friends' packs? This will be totally unnecessary because I'm pretty sure there's a small person hidden in each of their bags. Or at least that's what it feels like.

Stephen has some whiskey and about 30 pounds of sweets including peanut brittle and toffee with him. Billy also packed in a flask of whiskey and a six-pound sleeping pad.

Chuck Norris and Tigger picked us up at our hotel and dropped us off at the trailhead. I'm pretty sure these thru-hiker/trail angels have carted around every PCTer on the trail this year. Their generosity and willingness to drive hikers seems to be limitless. And it's not like gas is $1 a gallon.

The four of us hiked at a decent clip throughout the day, stopping only for photos, snacks and the occasional rest of the feet. As I mentioned before, these guys are in good shape so we've been able to maintain our pace. If they have any problems over the next few days I expect it will be related to their packs or feet.

Our campsite tonight is less than perfect. It's inundated with mosquitoes and doesn't have a view. I was hoping to produce some magnificent campsite equipped with water, a view and sans mosquitoes. Instead, we're scattered about some granite rocks about a quarter mile from a muddy, sluggish stream.

We have to find a better spot tomorrow if only to provide Billy with a few hours sleep. Stephen brought a bug bivy. Billy did not. And right now as I climb into my mosquito-free zone, I'm thinking about Billy sleeping in his bag with only a headnet for protection. Sleep well, my friend.