Today reminded me of the hot, dry desert of Southern California. While it wouldn't take me too terribly long to arrive at my next water source, it was hot enough that by the time I arrived at the small stream, I had drank all of my water.

It was not the most interesting of days on the trail. I walk over a lot of rocky trail and I passed by a couple of water reservoirs which contained fish hatcheries, but the coolest stop along the trail was Burney Falls Guest Ranch. Run by a couple of nice women who had recently purchased the place and were working to get it back on the map for weekend vacations and the like. This time of year, the only people showing up were PCT Hikers, and the ladies were happy to help us. There was ice cream!!! sandwiches, soda, cookies, and all the other snacks a hiker could wish for while being in the middle of nowhere, or rather the PCT.

I was in a serious debate over where to camp this evening. I had a resupply box 5 miles ahead at Burney Falls State Park (SP) and Butterfingers was there, who I hadn't seen since Day 66 when she, Early Bird and The Worm went into the Yosemite Valley from Tuolumne Meadows.

After debating over staying at the Ranch or hiking an additional 5 miles, all while eating my second and third ice cream cone, I decided to continue hiking to meet up with Butterfingers. While I had enjoyed walking solo for a little over a week, I was looking forward to seeing her familiar face.

Along the last 5 miles of trail, I walked across countless roads, some larger (leading into the town of Burney) and others... just simple dirt roads. Only a couple miles before tonight's campsite, I was walking along listening to some music when, what do you know, trail magic! All of the candy was gone, but there were still a couple cans of soda. It was nearing sunset, so I took a soda to-go. It did recharge me for the last bit of the day, which allowed me to push it and arrive in camp with just enough daylight to setup camp and hang out with Butterfingers.

Butterfingers knew I was coming to camp with her tonight, so without me knowing it, she picked up my resupply box from Burney Falls SP (a little over 1 mile ahead on the trail) and then carried it back to camp with her! I was rather delighted and impressed. She had carried it in her arms for the 1 mile walk back to camp because her pack was already full from her own resupply. Thanks Butterfingers!

I was pretty tired and was lights out fairly quickly after catching up with Butterfingers and eating dinner. Organizing my resupply box would have to wait until the morning. We plan on going to Burney Falls (the actual water fall) and hanging out there for the morning.

In about 30 days I will meet my family at Mazama Village, a resupply point at Crater Lake in Oregon. I crunched the numbers, figuring out that I needed to hike 18.4 miles per day to be at Mazama Village on time. 18.4 miles per day doesn't seem too difficult. But I must remember, that number doesn't allow for any zero days... or rather I must hike extra miles (18.4 to be exact) if I am to take a zero day and not fall behind.

At the end of each day on-trail, I would tally up the extra miles I had hiked and added it to the previous day. It became a ritual that helped me greatly getting through some of the more tedious miles of Northern California as well as helped me with my longing to see my family.

Passing through mile 1300 was a great feeling. Knowing that a short distance beyond would be the PCT Halfway Point. At the top of today's major climb (the one I started yesterday evening) I had an incredible view of Mount Lassen. It is the first in line (hiking northbound) of the many volcanic peaks the PCT passes. I also called my dad, with limited cell service I could stand in one particular spot for good reception, but 2 feet away would cause the call to be inaudible.

Traversing back down the hillside, I was looking to stop at Cold Springs for lunch. There I would find Strapless, Vertigo and one other hiker refilling water and eating lunch. I remember this spring was correctly named, being ice cold in 90+ degree weather, it was welcomed with open arms, until I dumped a liter of it over my head. Then all I wanted was to stand in the warm Noon sunlight.

I had hiked about half the distance for the day and after leaving this very memorable lunch spot the trail was mine. Not seeing a single soul until camp, I found myself in a rhythm where the miles passed like a hot knife through butter. There were a few good view points of the surrounding area and even fewer glimpses of Mt. Lassen, but those always brought a smile to my face.

Camp tonight was with Strapless and Vertigo, but there were very few sites by the spring, so I ventured a little ways away from them to find flatter ground in which to pitch my tent. Throughout the night, the deer in the area ran up, down and all around my selected campsite. I would hear stories tomorrow of hikers encountering, not so shy bears. I have fully entered the area known for its unafraid, no good, food eating and midnight sleep interupting Black Bears.

Day 91 - Catching Up To Butterfingers. 1415.9 (23.9)

Day 86 - Thirteen Hundred Miles. 1313.3 (23.1)