The forest has stayed lush with massive old growth fir mixed in with young green trees as we said our final goodbyes to Mt Shasta.  The weather has stayed warm and dry for several days. This is hiker heaven. 

It is also nice we picked the dates we did. The huge flood of hikers are still in the Sierras. (There were almost 4,000 permits issued this year)  We see maybe 2-6 people a day on the trail, which is wonderful. No fighting for campsites!  

On Friday as we neared Castella we noticed several logging operations actively harvesting trees. One right next to the trail! Here is one with Mt Shasta in the background:

Here is the one on trail. Note the cables crossing the trail!

During this six day journey we climbed down into and out of two river valleys: McCloud River and Squaw Valley Creek. The additional loss and gain has put stress on my already sore knee and it has become clear I cannot continue the hike; I must go home and see a doctor. 

Like the man said: “Eating ibuprofen like candy ain’t the way to live your life, son”

Still, in the almost 30 days since we started at Donner Pass, Turtle and I have hiked over 340 miles!  Added to last year, I will have hiked 2,140 miles of the PCT. 

The professor has to go back home to his family as planned, so the professor and I will hop Amtrak in Dunsmure; he to Sacramento and I to Stockton.  Turtle will continue by himself on the PCT for the final 600 miles, and has my blessings. 

Sadly, this blog won’t continue to cover his progress. 

Pictures!

Here is the professor making a Hiker Burrito: a Nature Valley bar covered in peanut butter. One of 7 zillion variations. 

I’ll miss water from springs:

Good travels, My friend!  May the trail be good. At least one of us will finish the trail this year!