7/17/20; mile: 1,184; elevation 6,175 ft.
I’ve noticed a pattern in my behavior. I don’t take a lot of pictures when I’m tired, cold, wet….or in pain. Today was a painful day. During my time off, I didn’t do anything to assist my body to heal or recover. If I wasn’t shopping for food I was sitting at the dining room table updating this blog. No stretching, no focusing on eating well or staying hydrated. And I’m also wearing a new pair of hiking shoes. And now I’m paying for it. My calves and hamstrings are tight. My feet aren’t used to the new shoes. I’m probably dehydrated after all of the pizza and beer for lunch yesterday. Why am I doing this again?
I’m up and out early, enjoying the use of second floor outhouse. The initial hiking is along the edge of a meadow and a gentle climb on the west slope of Basin Peak. After this, I’m back onto virgin ground for me. And as I hike along, I come across a tent not far off the trail. Well, good morning, SOCO! He’s sitting up cutting some cheese for his breakfast (food in the morning…any food…is breakfast). He says he’s been taking siestas in the afternoons again and hiking later in to the night, hence the “sleeping in”. Hey man, whatever works for you. Off I go again.
In trying to keep my pack light, I plan my water stops and carry as little as possible. So, when I get to a good source, I sit and drink a lot. Snowbank Spring is one of these glorious spots. The water is wonderfully cold and clear, coming out of a pipe. I probably don’t need to filter it, but the idea of dealing with any stomach or intestinal bugs sounds debilitating. As I sit and consume, SOCO catches up. He has enough water to continue on, so he doesn’t stop for long. I just continue to drink and eat some snacks and enjoy the view of the meadow.
I next see SOCO at his siesta spot at a dirt road crossing for Meadow Lake Road, which also has a small creek running next to it. It’s a nice tent site except for the dirt road which appears to be a popular route to get out of the city. I guess being Friday it shouldn’t be a surprise. I hate to laugh at other people’s misfortune, but it’s really hard sometimes. As we sat and talked, a large fly landed on SOCO’s sock-covered foot and bit him. From his cries, it sounds like it hurt. But at least it wasn’t a sting. After snacking and drinking water (and trying to do a lot of stretching), off I went. I still have 11 more miles to get in today.
After climbing up and away from the road through the trees, the trail follows a ridge with some viewing opportunities. To the south, more thunder clouds threaten Donner Pass; Meadow Lake comes into view, and hints of Jackson Meadow Reservoir to the north are there, too. That’s today’s destination. And then back into the trees. The trail descends off of the ridge along the east side of the reservoir. I’m hoping to catch a camp spot on the shore of the lake to get water and have a picnic table. Once I reach the road crossing and see the amount of traffic, I’m pretty sure the campgrounds are open (and thus not free), so I give up on that idea. And the hopes of impromptu trail magic from passing vehicles as I road walk don’t pan out, either. I jump off the trail/road at Pass Creek to find a hidden spot to camp. It’s kind of a depressing end to the day. Camping so close to people with their cars, boats, dirt bikes and real food. The spot is kinda dangerous due to the number of widow-makers, but I pick the safest place possible.
Hey, but at least I get a resupply tomorrow near Sierra City! I just have to get there. It’s only 11 miles away.
Savior out.