Day 115
Start: Bear Campground, near mile marker 2151.5
Finish: Green Valley, outside mile marker 2177.6
Miles driven: 26.1 miles
I woke up with the sunrise as usual and in less than an hour I was on my way. I had to make a special stop today, so I sorted out the logistics before finishing my first mile. I felt very lucky and excited to be able to make this legendary and special stop on the PCT.
As I walked along the dirt road that intersected with the trail, I noticed some strange markings. A closer look revealed a pile of droppings and the claw marks of whoever it belonged to. I looked around, hoping he or she wasn’t lurking in the bushes.
My walk this morning was pretty cold. Now that I was in the desert, much of the trail was exposed, making for a hot hike. Still, from time to time a pleasant breeze blew to cool me down. I took my lunch break under a tree that so generously offered me shade.
The rest of the day passed quite calmly. I went in and out of the mountain’s nooks and crannies, going up and down. The winding trail was a little frustrating because it added many miles to what could have been a more direct route if it had taken us up and over the mountains. However, I tried to be grateful for the trade-off between miles and elevation, as I knew what a more direct trail would entail (looking at you, AT).
I enjoyed the panoramic views of the hidden lakes and small communities nestled among the mountains. It really seemed like an idyllic place to live. The bigger cities weren’t too far away and you could still enjoy the small town feel and have room to relax. What more could you ask for?
I had estimated that I would end my day of hiking around 6 pm, but I was surprised and ended up at the road junction at 4:45. Just as I was covering the last 0.1 kilometer of the trail, I saw my vehicle stop. Perfect moment!
Do any of you remember who I met in Oregon at Timberline Lodge? It was Papa Joe, the owner of the retired Casa de Luna and a tracking angel for more than 20 years. Well, I had his number and it turned out he was home and happy to help a hiker.
It was great to find him again so far down the road. When we arrived at his house, Cool Ranch, another former PCT hiker, was there along with Papa Joe’s two dogs. After a quick shower, we headed out to dinner and chatted about trail and camping adventures. They had just returned from a few days in Death Valley and were preparing to make another trip in a few days.
Back at Casa de Luna, we sat and talked until well past the hiker’s midnight. I was Papa Joe’s only hiker for the season (a big change from the thousands they used to host), but the warmth of their hospitality was just as great. Thank you, Papa Joe, for opening Casa de Luna for a solo SOBO!
And that’s a day in the life of a PCT SOBO hiker!
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