Miles today: 19.7
Trail miles sum: 924.6
Trail location: 1599.8
Elevation: 5977
Spinning on the turntable: Boston: Boston
The past few days I’ve been ricocheted up and down the mountains and today was no different.

Guthook July 23
I started the morning with a sharp climb right out of the gate.

Mt Shasta in the distance
This picture is a good example on the challenge of hiking uphill: I’m guessing the angle of the mountain (left to right) was 40-45 degrees. The upward angle of the path (top to bottom) was maybe 10 degrees. I’m leaning forward and to the right as I hike to compensate for the angles. It’s very tiring on the ankles.

Steep trail up
Did I mention the amazing views?

Rocky trail
I’ve noticed two things in the Klamath National Forest so far:
1) Lots of horse poop on the trail
2) Trails that are well maintained. Most trees that have fallen across the path have been cut up with a chainsaw and removed.

Russian Wilderness sign
It may not stay this way but I’m very appreciative at this moment. Log scrambles are not my favorite hiking activity.
There were a few patches of snow to navigate this afternoon but nothing too serious.

Snowy trail
I have no idea what animal this is from. Anyone know?

Animal tracks
How about this one? Noelle’s thinking bear.

Could it be bear tracks
I was again hiking through a burned out section. It’s very quiet and kind of like being imported into a black and white picture.

Burned out section of the PCT
Noelle hiked up to me late this afternoon. It’s been great seeing her every night for the past few days. Tomorrow I’ll head out on a fifty mile stretch. If the ankles and knees are willing I’ll knock it out in two days. If not, three days.
We made an appointment for a tune up on the van next week so we’re now hiking towards a time/date commitment.
Speaking of commitments, we’re also trying to project our hiking locations into late July/August/September on our schedule to see friends and family as we pass through Portland and Seattle. We’re footloose and fancy free but know that everyone else isn’t . If I hike at this pace, with this many zero and nero days, I’ll be at X location on X date. Maybe.
I heard another hiker stressing over the exact same issues we’re stressing over so I know it’s a universal challenge.
Several hikers have expressed concern that I’ll ditch the trail when we get close to family. Guess that happens every year. I’m just working on the hike today and not projecting out too far in the distance. It will be good to see our family.

Pink and white flowers
Looks like bear to me.
My father lived in the town of Mt. Shasta for quite a while. We went car camping with him once not too far from where you are, Bootjack lake I believe. A mama bear and cub broke into the car. We ended up driving to town at 3AM with a broken side window and bear claw marks on the roof and seats.
Bread is pretty aromatic and bears love it.
With the ripening raspberries, thimble berries and blackberry’s I’m keeping my eyes peeled for bears.