Walking from California to Bend-Day 3-PCT mile 1758-1781

Day 3 was long and hot, but gorgeous. It afforded one last view of Mt. Shasta.

On Brown Mountain, lay the gray remains of a conifer. I love thinking about how long ago that tree fell and how many years it took for it to be in this current state.

Decomposition

Mt. McLoughlin

Brown Mountain Shelter

A long reach without water was rewarded by the pump and well at Brown Mountain Shelter. 

Brown Mountain was very difficult to get around. The base is wide and the trail is hours on volcanic rock and without shade. It was super hot today and it felt like the volcano was still active. The hike was grueling, but the view of Mt. McLoughlin was the reward. This meant we were almost at Fish Lake where food and brews awaited.

Fish Lake meant resort camping. We did a quick overnight at a car camping campsite. I got up early to get rolling on and left Max behind.

Walking from California to Bend-Day 2-PCT mile 1732-1758

Mt. Shasta from the Oregon border

East of Pilot Rock looking south to Mt. Shasta

Alone and towering 14,179 feet, Mt. Shasta is an active volcano that, although being far south and in California, is part of the Cascades Range that reaches to Canada.

Fir forest in Southern Oregon. I love how the light plays in here.

Crazy inside of a tree

I'm now at Howard Prairie Lake m1758 with 33 miles into the journey. I met up with a guy from Moraga named Max. He's hiking from Shasta to Washington. Tomorrow we are headed to Hwy 140 and Fish Lake m1781.

Walking from California to Bend-The start-PCT mile 1758

Sunday at 4 I hop on the trail in California. It's is so dry. Hot and dry. I drove a rent-a-car from Bend and took a taxi across the border.

Just after being dropped off by the taxi in California

The first steps toward home

The oak trees are beautiful as they pepper the grassy hillside.

Pilot Rock from the California/Oregon border

I walk NE to Pilot Rock to meet up with the PCT. Pilot Rock is a volcanic plug meaning it was once an active vent full of magma. The formation is 25 million years old (one of the oldest in the Cascades) and rises 500+ feet above the surrounding ridges. I managed to get some miles behind me that I hadn't planned on. Eagles, deer, and signs of bear.

It was such a relief to reach the PCT. The thick brush off trail hike for 3 miles took hours and was pretty difficult and hot.

Dry and gorgeous-California Oaks

Maps-California to Home in Bend-Charlton Lake (m1932) to Home

Maps-California to Home in Bend-Thielsen Creek Trail (m1861) to Charlton Lake (m1932)

Maps-California to Home in Bend-Sky Lakes Trail (m1798) to Thielsen Creek Trail (m1861)

Maps-California to Home in Bend-LIttle Hyatt Reservoir (m1748) to Sky Lakes Trail (m1798)