DAYs 64 & 65: Mon. & Tues. Jun 30, Jul 1: ZERO days with Shirley

Shirley and I have enjoyed two days together at South Lake Tahoe. I got my laundry done, packed up three mail drops of food for the next 200 miles or so, and got caught up on my email and blog postings. I will be back on the trail early Wednesday morning. I'll be "making miles while the sun shines." The next milestone will be the half way mark near Carson, CA.

By the way, I will not have the luxury of being close to towns and libraries to upload photos for a while, but will update this blog with text via the telephone as often as possible.

Here are some photos for your enjoyment. Photo 1: getting ready to chow down on one-dish pasta; #2 Slider the cook; #3 the three bearded amigos: Greybeard, Gordon and NimbleWillNomad.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 63, Sun., Jun. 29; 27.9 mile day: TOTAL 1094.5

Hiked 11 miles (slacked with just water and snacks) into the first road crossing at Echo Lakes Summit just out from South Lake Tahoe. This was a easy hike through many beautiful meadows. When I reached the parking lot at the summit, Shirley was there as expected. She brought me two Quarter Pounders and an Apple Pie from McDs. Sooooo good!

After a quick break we hiked out to cover 16.9 miles to Echo Lakes Resort, a store, sandwich shop and post office right on Echo Lake. Hiking this section was moderate and very pleasant. However the last mile was a steep down and would have been more difficult for a southbound hiker.

This is my last support stop until the finish in Canada. Shirley has been following me for the past 6 weeks with a carload of food, cold drinks, and breakfast pastries. She will be heading back to Bakersfield on Wednesday and home on Friday. Hopefully, she will be able to join me again a week or two before I finish the PCT miles in Manning Park, Canada.

Photos: (1) caught this dragon fly coming out of his cocoon; (2) wild Iris in one of the large meadows.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 62: June 28: 24.5 miles: TOTAL 1067.6

Left camp at 0600 this morning and hiked into Ebbett's Pass and met Shirley at 8:30 am. This was only 6 1/2 miles over dramatic canyons with terrific volcanic formations and Bonzi-like Cedar and Pine trees. There were many passes over rolling rock strewn landscapes with the only vegetation being wildflowers. After a short break we took off again, slack packing for another 18 miles. The afternoon was blessed with hillside ridges and large pine forests. Sometimes you could see each other 1/2 mile or more away on opposite ridges. We arrived at Blue Lakes Road trailhead where Shirley and Gordon were waiting. We camped for the night here.

Photo #1 shows the Bonzi-like, weather-worn cedars; #2 are the Blue Lakes seen from above; #3 Canada - here I come.

Keep hiking,

Greybeard

DAY 61, June 27 - heading toward Ebbetts Pass

Spent the night camped out at Sonoro Pass (Coordinates: N38 deg 19.776', W119 deg 38.101') after enjoying a great supper in the town of Bridgeport, doing laundry and enjoying a refreshing shower - see description below.

Another experience of great American generosity. A local man who lives in Bridgeport met two hikers at the post office and simply asked if they needed anything. Chickadee answered we sure could use a shower. He told them to come on over to their home and they could use their facilities. Then he and his wife opened up their home to at least 4 other hikers. We all enjoyed a great shower and some homemade brownies. Thank you Mollie & Steve.

Shirley and Gordon drove us up to the trailhead and we enjoyed hanging out until nightfall. This morning Hank's Sonora Pass Cafe was open again this morning and as usual, Shirley had pastries for all of us.

Will report on this hike today later.

DAY 60: Jun 26. 10 mi day: TOTAL Miles 1018.3

We had an easy 10 miles hike to Sonora Pass over 10,880 elevation. We will not reach this elevation again on the PCT. We came up to the pass and were greeted by Hank from Alto Palo who had a delicious layout of fruit and desserts. He calls his trail magic Sonora Pass Cafe. Also, Meadow Mary served up Chili and my baby had lots of cold drinks ready.

Photo #1 Slider, Gopher, Greybeard and Thrust on one of several ridges we passed over today; #2 Greybeard at 10,880 ft. elevation - the last time we will see elevation this high on the PCT; #3 Hank of Sonora Pass Cafe; #4 Cruisin, Billy Goat and Meadow Mary; #5 all of us enjoying the spread.

Keep hiking,

Greybeard

DAY 59 Reached 1,000 mile milestone: Total 1007

N 38deg 15.191, W 119 deg 35.980. Today's hike was as easy as yesterday's was hard. We have passed many beautiful (mosquito infested) meadows with big blue lakes. We finally climbed out of the last deep canyon and left the mosquitoes behind. WE HAVE REACHED A MILESTONE - 1000+ miles. Photo #1 me at the 1,000 mile marker laid down by another hiker. Photo #2 is Slider approaching my first cairn. This is just a marker in rocky areas helpful in locating the trail.
Keep hiking,

Greybeard

DAY 58, Jun.24, 20 miles: TOTAL 982.7

Today's hike was one of the most difficult with several passages and long, steep ups and downs and hordes of mosquitoes. The swampy area kept our feet soaked all day long. Shirley suggested I take Deet - and I am glad I did. We camped in Stubblefield Canyon Creek which was pleasant except for the MOSQUITOES. JZ and Gopher joined us. Coordinates N38 deg 03.566, W119 deg 35.432.

Photo #1 shows where we hike on snow-covered trail; #2 is Thrust fording a stream; #3 is me at another beautiful setting - there are so many.

Keep hiking

Greybeard