Tom hikes the PCT

Trying to squeeze in a trip before Rose and I continue our across the USA adventure. The plan is to travel to Reds Meadow resort (near Bridgeport if that helps), stay at the "resort" (cabin, no water, no ac) park the van there (cause then I can literally walk to the van, just 1/4 mile off the PCT) Then I shuttle to Mammoth lakes and get to stay at a fraternity brothers place there (god bless fraternities, I still have best friends from 40 years ago!)...

July 20,2024 Tuolumne Meadows mile 943 to Reds Meadows resort mile 903 Trying to squeeze in a trip before Rose and I continue our across the USA adventure. The plan is to travel to Reds Meadow resort (near Bridgeport if that helps), stay at the “resort” (c…

Was going to take a zero and rest up in Chester. However, the hiker hostel had no A/C (which would have been difficult during a very hot day), and after a few cold beers and hot pizza at the Pizza factory decided to wake early, hitch to the trail and see if I could get to the Lassen National park boundary in 14 miles....

Chester mile 1332 to Old Station mile 1374 Was going to take a zero and rest up in Chester. However, the hiker hostel had no A/C (which would have been difficult during a very hot day), and after a few cold beers and hot pizza at the Pizza …

The Belden start Perfect view of the power plant. Excellent noise to sleep to. 5 people camped here, all were hiking before I started at 5:40. There were smarter than I. It got hot! Off I go Bridge shot 2 miles in. No real climbing yet. Lots of green which is nice Up up up this canyon for 14 miles. So far nicely graded and little poisen oak, and not much overgrowth....

Belden mile 1287 to Chester mile 1332 The Belden start Perfect view of the power plant. Excellent noise to sleep to. 5 people camped here, all were hiking before I started at 5:40. There were smarter than I. It got hot! Off I go Bridge…

Rose happily agree to get me out of town for a while, and graciously met me and Dora at Old Station then we dropped of a resupply box in Chester and continued the long drive to Bucks Lake road near Quincy. We got here by about 3, the temp was good, so I decided to try and climb the 1700 foot hill, and camp…...

Bucks summit (mile 1269) eventually to Old Station (mile 1377) this post is bucks to belden mile 1287 Rose happily agree to get me out of town for a while, and graciously met me and Dora at Old Station then we dropped of a resupply box in Chester and continued the long drive to Bucks Lake road near…

He Terrible

I apologize to all. This is a bad site. When I put my info on my on my phone it looks perfect. I’m sorry He Terrible

Due to the snow, I decided to fill in a few of my trail gaps this year. This section was 6 hours away, so I went for it My trail Angel for life, Jay Go. Trying to start again after finishing the desert 700 miles is hard. Kennedy Meadows has 200 residents that all hate each other. No bus would even consider that 3k windy road climb....

6/17/24 Kennedy meadows south mile 703 to Lone Pone mile 745 Due to the snow, I decided to fill in a few of my trail gaps this year. This section was 6 hours away, so I went for it My trail Angel for life, Jay Go. Trying to start again after finishing the de…

My return to the PCT will likely be early June 2024. It's an above average snow year so I'm going to late start as possible In the off season, (completed the 700 miles of the south PCT)', Just Mike, Caleb, Louann and myself got to start the Arizona train. It was great. Me and Louann got about 112 miles and the rest of the team went further....

5/9/24 My return to the PCT will likely be early June 2024. It’s an above average snow year so I’m going to late start as possible In the off season, (completed the 700 miles of the south PCT)…

Caleb (Jediah Smith) impressed everyone and was on the trail hiking before 5:00 am. WOW! I was off at 5:05 which is not to bad. The weather and conditions were perfect. We had 1 day of food left, which weighed almost nothing, and water was available everywhere these 22 miles. Conditions ideal for good miles. Sun still sleeping Sunrise finally arrives....

July 3, 2023 mile 1698 to 1720. 22 miles. The horses smelt the barn (and the burgers and the beers) Caleb (Jediah Smith) impressed everyone and was on the trail hiking before 5:00 am. WOW! I was off at 5:05 which is not to bad. The weather and conditions were perfect. We had 1 day of food left, w…

Chief was in the mood for some miles, so we started about 5:15 am and hit the road. Still sleeping great and feeling good. Today we get some uphills, get to the "Donomore" cabin, climb uphill again and hit the snow drifts. This will be the 3rd tough day in a row. We hike an hour before the sun is up....

July 2, 2023 miles 1680 to 1698 17 miles Chief was in the mood for some miles, so we started about 5:15 am and hit the road. Still sleeping great and feeling good. Today we get some uphills, get to the “Donomore” cabin, climb …

Nice camp spot I think we started at 6:00 am today. Everyone we talk to says the 5 miles of blowdowns in the middle of todays hike are brutal. They were correct. They sap your energy and slow you down as you climb over, under and around a seemingly endless array of blown down trees. 1st patch of snow. We just walked around or over these little baby patches....

July 1, 2023 mile 1667 to mile 1680. 289 tree blowdowns. Nice camp spot I think we started at 6:00 am today. Everyone we talk to says the 5 miles of blowdowns in the middle of todays hike are brutal. They were correct. They sap your energy and slow you d…

This is the bring your big boy hiking pants to the trail. At late June, at elevation 1500, you get to hike 4500 elevation gain, mostly exposed, and have to deal with overgrowth so bad that everyone loses the trail. This is the 2nd steepest prolonged assent on the trail. I was able to walk without stops, but barely. Our 1st water was 1 mile in....

6/30/23 Saied Valley mile 1657 to 1667 This is the bring your big boy hiking pants to the trail. At late June, at elevation 1500, you get to hike 4500 elevation gain, mostly exposed, and have to deal with overgrowth so bad that everyone…