Aug 3 – PCT 1557 to 1574

So I start out a new week by skipping a few miles more out of convenience than anything else.  Hwy 3 PCT crossing is easy to get to and we have been there doing trail magic stuff.  As it turns out it was an excellent decision because of happenings later in the week.

Right after being dropped off a Hwy 3 I enter the Trinity Alps Wilderness
Right after being dropped off a Hwy 3 I enter the Trinity Alps Wilderness

Some info on the Trinity Alps from wiki


The Trinity Alps Wilderness is a 525,627-acre (2,130 km2) designated wilderness located in northern California, roughly between Eureka and Redding. It is jointly administered by Shasta-Trinity, Klamath, and Six Rivers National Forests. About 4,623 acres (18.71 km2) are administered by the Bureau of Land Management. The wilderness is located in the Salmon and Scott Mountains, subranges of the Klamath Mountains region. The high, granitic and ultramafic peaks of the eastern half of the wilderness area are known as the Trinity Alps. Granite peaks at the core of the area are known as the White Trinities, reddish ultramafic peaks in the southeast are known as the Red Trinities, and the forested mountains in the western half of the wilderness are known as the Green Trinities.
The botanical diversity of the Trinity Alps is quite unique. The region has intrigued botanists for many years because of the predominance of the Sierran flora only 60 miles (97 km) from the Pacific Ocean. Conifers common in the Sierra Nevada such as foxtail pines, lodgepole pines, western white pines, whitebark pines, ponderosa pines, red firs, and white firs are also common in the Alps alongside the endemic Brewer spruce.[3] Large wildfires swept through the western forests in recent years.

Wildlife species include black bear, black-tailed deer, mountain lion, coyote, and bobcat. Bears are common in the wilderness, so use a bear bag or bear canister.
Glacial cirques dominate the high country. The highest point is Thompson Peak at 9,001 ft (2,744 m).


The trail starts out with an ascent but it is rather calm and the weather is good for hiking.  Still hot but not TOO hot and the views are just spectacular.  The fire up at Crater Lake in Oregon is still going and will hear later that the fire jumped the ridge and both trails in that area have been closed.  As it currently stands you have to take a 40 mile ride around the fire OR walk on a roadway for 40 miles without water.  But I won’t get to Crater Lake soon and things can change.

Beautiful view to get going
Beautiful view to get going
Still a bit smokey in the valleys. Fire still going up in Oregon (not that far away as the crow flies)
Still a bit smokey in the valleys. Fire still going up in Oregon (not that far away as the crow flies)

This area reminds me of the High Sierra for beauty.  Just amazing views.  It is being a very quiet day.  I have seen nobody on the trail all day and will not see anyone.

Gave it a moments thought but too far down. Reminds me of High Sierra's
Gave it a moments thought but too far down. Reminds me of High Sierra’s

My cough is still pretty bad and each time I cough I get a sense (taste or smell not sure which actually) that there is infection.  But without the heat I can manage and feel good.

Must be feeling better. Wildflowers catching my attention again
Must be feeling better. Wildflowers catching my attention again

The habitat changes a bit as I go up in elevation and turns rather rocky.  This shot does not do it justice and the rocks seemed much more reddish that is shown.

Little habitat change. Getting more rocky but the rocks are beautiful
Little habitat change. Getting more rocky but the rocks are beautiful

SIgh… Mt. Shasta.

Sigh.... Mt. Shasta but if I ignore that it is a nice view :)
Sigh…. Mt. Shasta but if I ignore that it is a nice view 🙂
Just pretty
Just pretty

Reach a point on the ridge where there is a nice view on both sides.  Don’t those lakes look like they would be worth jumping into?

On a ridge looking down. Again they look inviting but the trail goes on the other side of the ridge
On a ridge looking down. Again they look inviting but the trail goes on the other side of the ridge

Got to get water every now and again and at a small stream these little beauties were growing.

Clumps like this growing by a stream where I stopped for water
Clumps like this growing by a stream where I stopped for water

Get to another ridge point with a great view on either side.  Nice valley on one side and mountains on the other that look to have a fair amount of snow on them.

On another ridge looking right (east)
On another ridge looking right (east)
Same ridge looking left (west). The trail heads west
Same ridge looking left (west). The trail heads west

I stop fairly early after 17 miles.  My camping spot is really small and a little off the trail.  Later that night I hear some other hikers on the trail and they camp pretty close to me but nearer the trail.  I do not have a great night sleeping and I am coughing most the night.  I hope the others are far enough away to not be bothered.  I get a good rest and spend most of the night looking at a beautiful sky that is aflame with stars.   It is a night without a moon and so the stars are brilliant.

The phone says 37000 steps and 35 flights

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