Day 76 – From Small Sherrold Lake to Tentsite, mile 1073

July 5.

Started a bit earlier at 6.45 – the time where late starts were ok due to the cold mornings in the Sierras is over…

Cactass went first, wanting to be early at the road where her boyfriend Tim would pick her up for some zero days in South Lake Tahoe. I caught up with Tinkle first and Cactass short before lunch.

Amazing beauty was waiting again… The landscape keeps changing so much during these days. I did not expect this section Northern California to be this beautiful! I took about 70 photos just today…

Lunch at 12pm at mile 1062 – already more than 12 miles done. Satisfied with the progress…

Cactass left us as planned at the Blue Lake road, we pushed on to finish the remaining miles to South Lake Tahoe as quick as possible – Keen to have a zero day there as well.

In the afternoon, the landscape continued changing and the wind picked up significantly on the exposed hills…

Yes, this mountain is really called like this… 😂

In the evening, we pushed on until after 7pm in search for tentsites protected from the wind – with an amazing view.

Pitched tents at mile 1073. Nearly 24 miles. A good day.

Day 75 – From Tentsite to Small Sherrold Lake, mile 1049

July 4.

Started hiking at 7.20am.

Short break for an energy bar in a meadow full of flowers around 10.30am.

Lunch break at 12pm with Tinkle but without Cactass – she wants to push further. Wolf Creek at mile 1039.

Plan is to camp at mile 1049 Small Sherrold Lake – that would make it a 21 miles day – the first 20+ since entering the Sierra about a month ago. But I start feeling the pressure… Nearly three months on trail, but the midpoint still is 200+ miles out. Still believing in the Oregon wonder… 😉 After the midpoint at 1325 miles, many hikers increased their mileage significantly due to the flat land in Northern California and Oregon…

Caught up with Cactass. We heard about trail magic at Ebbots pass. Made it there around 5.30pm. And what a trail magic! Despite of July 4th, a nice couple offered hot dogs, sodas, beer, fruit, snacks…. Best trail magic I had on trail!

With the trail angels – Thank you so much!

They also had some magic like energy bars, gear, even new socks sponsored by SNAC – thanks for the merino socks!

Had two beers there and another one to go.. our planned camp site was just another half mile out.

A nice evening with bellies full of magic, beers and sparklers for July 4th!

Day 74 – From Bridgeport via Sonora pass highway 108 crossing to tentsite, mile 1027

July 3.

Even before our breakfast in the Bridgeport Inn, we checked out a sporting goods shop next to the general store. I got a simple nylon drysack for less than 5 dollars! They had just one size, but it it just what I wanted to replace my bear can as food storage. Looks even a bit retro…

The breakfast was delicious and had an adequate big size – three scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns and a cinnamon roll.

Finished packing our packs, last blog updates… Then to the post office just behind the motel to send the bear canisters away.

We walked to the end of town to find a hitch… And met Colin already trying his luck there.

Split up. Colin and Cactass first, Tinkle and myself maybe 20 min later.

Chris, a nice guy working in South Lake Tahoe gave us a ride. He works in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino! We were considering to stay there… Now knowing a guy working at the bar… For sure!

Got out at the Highway 395/108 crossing, Cactass and Colin standing there… Later a nice guy returning from his fishing trip fisherman took all four of us into his truck.

The hike started well… Trail magic! First magic since the Sierras!

Shortly after also Husk and Queso joined!

Started hiking around 3pm.

We wanted to make miles even with the late start, so we pushed on until 7pm.

The plan is 20+ miles every day until South Lake Tahoe…

Day 73 – From tentsite via highway 108 crossing to Bridgeport, mile 1017 – Video Journal

July 2.

Today just about 10 miles were planned… We discussed whether to go to Kennedy Meadows North or Bridgeport for resupply. For both destinations, hitchhiking from mile 1017 is needed. While Kenney Meadows North is just a pack station/resort, Bridgeport is a real town with general store, post office etc. We opted for Bridgeport.

I took several video clips today to show you a typical day on trail for me. Hope you find this interesting.

Some more impressions of the day coming to Sonora pass…

Song of the day:

Dreaming free – Bora York

One of the best days on trail. At the crest, we walked into clouds with thousands of butterflies… Seems they were migrating. I never experienced anything like this before – so much beauty in nature. Check out the video.

I am so thankful for experiencing this. And the whole trail. It took quite some courage to take the time for this. Days like today make it worth it.

Day 72 – From tentsite to tentsite, mile 1006

July 1. With May and June two calendar months spent on trail. 😊 A special day in many regards…

Started hiking 7.15am as usual. Mile 1000 at 1pm!!!

We celebrated the milestone with a very long (too long) lunch break.
In the afternoon, the scenery changed… Really looks different to the high Sierra. Different trees, different mountains. Also water is gonna be more scarce. I am so excited about the change to come.

Since weeks if not months it is the first day we saw clouds in the sky.

Pitching tents early at 6pm at mile 1006. Tomorrow is the day we will come to town again to resupply.

I plan to take videos tomorrow to document a bit a typical day on trail. Let’s see.

We had another camp fire and dinner.