November 1

Distance: 27.9 miles | Ascent: 5550′ | Descent: 1980′

Mile marker: 2370.2

Lunch: J – shepherd’s pie (B), A – jambalaya (A)

Dinner J – mac n cheese (A) and chicken teriyaki (C+), A – mac n cheese (B+)

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With the disappointment of the non-trick-or-treaty Halloween behind us, we marched on. Right away, we came across a spillway. It seemed out of place high above the valley. We learned that it serves as flood control. It’s unbelievable that water could get that high.

We followed Deep Creek all morning. It was a dramatic dichotomy between the harsh desert on the high slopes and the riparian ecosystem below.

There was a great bridge!

The trail passed right through some hot springs, a clothing-optional spot popular with locals. We took the opportunity to soak and stretch in the natural warm water. We got there early, but by the time we left, the pools and trails were filling up with visitors.

We still followed Deep Creek, climbing higher into the mountains. The climb was fairly gradual, usually <300 ft/mile, which is fairly comfortable. The heat and sun, however, wore us down. Even though we followed the creek, it was too far out of reach to easily get water. If we were desperate, we could scale the valley walls, but we planned appropriately for the 15 mile water carry.

Occasionally, the trail was lined with GIANT pinecones. They’re heavy, too. Getting hit by one falling from a tree could actually become a medical situation.

Along the trek following Deep Creek, we passed the 300 mile marker. Only three hundred miles left!

The trail departed from Deep Creek and we climbed over a ridge before joining up with the much more accessible Holcomb Creek. We eagerly got water and rested in the shade. At 4pm and at a much higher altitude, it was starting to cool off, but we were parched.

We readied ourselves for the final push to camp. We hiked on, stopping for water once more at the last source before camp. A dirtbike rider was there flying his drone up and down the creek. He probably got some great videos of the fall colors overhead and floating atop the water.

We had a small climb still after the water, which was welcome as it really started to cool off. Golden hour came and went. Dusk came and went. The sun went down. Despite a fairly full moon, we had to use our headlamps.

Finally, we reached camp and were surprised to find two of our friends sitting by a campfire. From the distance, we thought the fire belonged to some weekend backpackers; surely PCTers don’t have the time or energy to start a fire. We eat and sleep after getting to camp. This duo, however, has a different mentality. We enjoyed the fire and warmth as we ate dinner. Getting into camp a little late isn’t so bad since tonight was daylight savings time. However, we really don’t get to enjoy the extra hour as much as the rest of the daylight-savings-practicing world. Our daily routine is solar-based. We’re like little flowers. The shift in the clocks just meant we set our alarm an hour earlier for tomorrow morning.