Wednesday, September 19, 2018 – 18.90 miles
Most of the Holman Fire detour was viewless, but the trail emerged from the trees a few times (sunlight! warmth!) before joining the PCT near beautiful Woody Pass.
On Lakeview Ridge, I encountered a hiker who I had first seen all the way back in the Trinity Alps. Wow, that was months ago. I’m terrible at remembering faces, especially guys with beards (all male thru-hikers look identical to me) but this guy was carrying a whippet, so I was able to recognize him. He recognized me too – the power of the hat. I was surprised by how few hikers were wearing wide-brimmed hats on the PCT, especially considering how cool they are.
The trail descended to Hopkins Lake, which had good camping opportunities. Trees followed, then more trees. I was considering camping near the border and crossing early in the morning, but I didn’t see any good spots, so I ended up reaching the border in the late afternoon. A woman waiting for some friends offered to take a picture. She ended up taking a series of photos and directing poses as well. I’m not from the Instagram generation, I’m from the generation that was told we would be murdered if we posted personal information on the 1n73rn37, so I can’t appreciate photos of myself with the hardcore intensity of someone itching to slather them on the ‘gram, but they’re cute(ly awkward).
Feelings upon reaching the end of the trail: good. I have more appreciation for autumn scenery now, but camping has been fricking cold for awhile and the rain is supposed to return tomorrow. I continued to Castle Creek, where Homebound and Hello Darkness were already camped, and I also met Phoenix and her partner (name unknown). Phoenix had just gotten a job at the PCTA, which is exciting. I had met a PCT hiker on this trip who had applied for the same job and been rejected, so it was nice to be able to congratulate someone. When I told the group about my phone mishap, Hello Darkness lent me her external battery and recharging cord so that I could charge my phone. I gave them a Snickers because GET IT AWAY FROM ME, I’M NEVER EATING CHOCOLATE AGAIN.
