PCT: Day 111

Blue Lizard and I got up early for her to drive me to the trail junction at Sonora Pass.  As soon as we pull in a group of hikers descends on us hoping for a ride to Kennedy Meadows North.  Lucky for them we have a mostly empty minivan for them to pile into.  Once they’re all loaded I say goodbye to Blue Lizard and head onto trail.  It doesn’t sink in yet that I’ll be on trail without the family for at least the next few weeks.

The trail starts climbing immediately, and I can tell I haven’t hiked or been much above 5000ft elevation for a while.  I’m breathing harder than normal but continue up to the top of the first climb.  Looking south I can see the Sierra, still holding onto snow in the higher areas.  Looking north is mostly green forests with only some smaller snow patches here and there.  The first mile of descent consists of an unpleasant steep and rocky trail.  There’s lots of water running along the trail in places, but I only cross one small patch of snow.  A little further on the trail transitions to a mostly dirt path and starts to leave the rocks behind.

I push on until noon and the 10 mile mark and eat lunch by a gushing creek.  I’ve only seen a couple people by this point, including one couple that had at least 5 barking dogs.  I pass much of the afternoon listening to music.  I see a few more people along the way, and end up at a campsite by myself for tonight.  I think others were going further, but being my first day on trail in over a week I’m more than happy to call it a day after 21 miles.

I setup camp, eat dinner, and filter water before getting into the tent to relax.  There are a few mosquitoes that would love to join me, but nowhere near the hordes people have encountered elsewhere.  It’s strange being here by myself after being with the family every day for over three months.