Thursday, July 29, 2010

Hidin in the Hiker-Hidaway

This'll be a short a post, because not much has happened since i left the Williams at Honker Pass. I've still been hiking with Train and Sunseeker, and we survived the drop-in and climb-out of Belden, which is not really a town so much as a trailer park with a bar(with karaoke). On the positive side we did cruise through the half-way point for the whole trail the following day.

Since Honker Pass we've been in a bigger group of about 10 people always within a few hours of each other. Tuesday night we were all at Drakesbad Ranch, which is a hot springs and horse riding ranch in the Lassen Volcanic NP right on the trail. We were treated with halfprice food and free showers and laundry and use of the hot springs pool because the owner is very enthusiastic about the PCT. Last night we all made it in to Old Station where we're staying the Hietmans Hiker Hideaway, trail angels who fed us and housed us. Dennis H is a solid guy, he used to do sound for the Filmore theater in the 60s and 70s, so i talked to him at length about what it was like to work closely with the Allman Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, The Stones, Sly and the Fam, Grateful Dead ect. Just awesome.

We're staring at a 30 miles waterless desert stretch upon leaving here and i believe were gonna night hike it out this evening or afternoon to avoid the brutal sun. After this though should end the PCT desert experience. I'm several days ahead of schedule, because we've been moving at a good pace... but my left Achilles has began acting up over the last day or two, i'm hoping nothing comes of it... We'll see. I should be in Burney Falls state park by Saturday, which is supposed to be a hiker highlight.

Mail? Absolutely! ha
General Delivery
Hold for PCT Hiker James Church
Ashland, Oregon 97520

should be there in 2 weeks.

3 comments:

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  2. Caleb, I hope all is well in the world of trail wandering. Sounds like a good experience so far. I just wanted to put your mind at ease and let you know that fantasy football talks have officially began. And it was decided we will finally change to 1 QB this year. Start planning.

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  3. Great pictures! I just took a look at the newest ones on Picasa.

    I don't remember any Honker Pass. Surely there's been a reroute. How could you ever forget a name like that?

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