If you look at the video of my campsite from yesterday you can see that my tent was protected from wind. Perhaps that is why the evening did not seem as cold and I only slept in my normal sleeping clothes rather than 2 layers. However in the morning when I got up I could tell it was actually colder. I got up earlier than I have been because I have a lot of climbing to do and I wanted to do it during the cool part of the day. As it turns out most of the day was pretty cool. I got started about 5:30 in the morning and I have about a 2700 foot ascent to make over about 5 miles. I go up to Glacier Pass and continue up to Grasshopper Pass. I have normal hiking clothes on with the Patagonia jacket and the waterproof gloves. I’m comfortable. By the time I get halfway (which is Glacier Pass) I figure I will rest and perhaps have a snack. However 5 minutes after taking off the gloves, my fingers and particularly my thumbs are hurting from the cold. I cut things short and get the gloves back on and start hiking again to get the blood pumping. After about 30 minutes my hands stop hurting and everything is back to normal. I reach the top about 10:30. So 5 miles in 6 hours. Don’t think I’m getting much faster BUT I did stop a bit just to admire the view rather than to catch my breath (although there was plenty of that as well).

The trail just past Brush Creek was pretty overgrown and sometimes with very tall plants. If it had rained one would be drenched from head to foot just from rubbing against all the plants overgrown on the trail. Pretty though huh?

Have to cross a couple rock fields on the way up. Still this is a nice level path with small rather settled rocks to step on.

The video below was taken about 9am. I am past Glacier Pass and perhaps a little better than halfway up to Grasshopper Pass. I just wanted to capture the view.

Pretty close to the top at this point and was sitting on the trail to capture some breath and rest my back and just staring at the mountain across the valley. This part of the mountain has been in the sun all morning and I’m just starting to get some sun on my part. I figured there would be some melting going on over there but it is not obvious there is any water coming off that snow. You can see where the melt has probably run before but I can’t see anything with the naked eye that is happening now.

This picture below is taken after I reach the top and you see how the trail runs along the side of the mountain up here. When I get over there the trail is as narrow as it gets and slants from left to right and is loose sand and pebbles. I did not have fun walking across that section and many more like it.

A little bit past Grasshopper Pass I met an “old guy” (77 haha). I did not get his name so he is just the old guy. He likes to hike the PCT but only the Washington PCT. Said he was not interested in doing Oregon or California. We talked about the aches and pains of hiking at this age. He said this was probably his last hike because it upsets his wife when he goes out. They use to hike together but she got arthritis and had to give it up. So now when he goes out, she cries. Very sad actually. He suggested my eating problems might because of elevation but I don’t think so. I don’t remember having any elevation problems through the Sierra’s at almost twice the elevation. We had a nice talk from about 20 feet away and he wore a mask. I keep mentioning the masks because I just do not understand!!

I mainly took the photo below because if you look real close and perhaps expand the picture you can see a crescent moon just to the right of the highest peak.

The trail from Grasshopper Pass to Harts Pass is relatively easy. Go up to slightly above 7000 feet at one point but then descend to Harts Pass. I was going to get resupplied at this point but rather I am going off the trail again. About 30 minutes before getting to Harts Pass I had back spasms and had to stop and take of the pack and try to stretch it out. I also neglected to cut my toes nails before starting this hike and my little toe is attacking its neighbor and has gashed it up pretty good. It’s always something 🙂

There have not been any large animals spotted while on the trail. Yesterday just before Brush Creek there was bear scat and a bear track (single) on the trail. So, they are about. Off the trail we have seen many deer, 1 bear, and mountain goats.

I’ll be back to do the 30 miles to the border and the 30 miles back to Harts Pass. The way I am hiking that will take 6 to 8 days. After that it will be back to Rainy Pass and head south.

• Miles: 14.6 (from IPhone. Trail mails only 12.5)
• Steps: 35904
• PCT Mile: 2622.5
• Elevation: 6189
• Location: https://w3w.co/insurer.downsize.imprint

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