Mileage 12.9
Soldier Creek (1331.9) to Feather River (1344.8)
11th June 2015
I could almost smell the bacon and eggs in the morning air. I was only about 3 miles from a highway that could make the dream a reality. I hadn’t really planned to go there.
A combination of timing my arrival further down the trail with my parcel deliveries (camera and trekking poles) and a text message from Teflon saying she would be there sealed the deal. I was heading to the town of Chester.
It’s a short hitch hike into the compact town. Luckily a fellow hiker, Tapatio was there to give me a lift in a borrowed car. Bacon and eggs were a reality. While finishing my meal and coffee I received another text from Teflon.
The text said she was in the same cafe as me ordering breakfast. I exited my secluded booth and peeked around the corner. Hey Teflon. Reunited.
Next business of the day was showers, laundry and charging my electrical stuff. Across the street we go with Recon, another hiker.
We showered and put the laundry on. While waiting for the laundry we had lunch. We are all getting skinny and need to fatten up so a plate of salad followed by Ribs and Sweet potato fries are ordered. Oh and I also tried the local beer, it’s no Alaska Pale Ale but it’s ok.
Our return to the laundromat was a moment of dread. Our clothes were gone. We placed them in the dryer. Gone. Gone. Gone.
I’m standing in the laundromat wearing rain pants, rain jacket and boots with no socks. That’s it. All my other clothing were in the dryer. I was partially angry, partially helpless.
For 15 minutes we discussed options. Just when it was time to report the theft a car pulled up and a lady jumped out with our clothes. The unobservant husband grabbed our hiking clothes out of the dryer instead of his wife’s sleeping garments that were in another dryer! No need to say anything more.
Showered, fed and wearing my clean clothes I hitch hiked back to the trail with Teflon. But I needed a monster sized thick shake first. We hiked about 9 miles into the evening till we reached the North Fork of the Feather River.
Loads of PCT hikers crowded into the few flat spots available next to the babbling river. Great to catch up with Teflon, the others aren’t far behind.
Next : Day 87 The Reunion
The Best information about the Pacific Crest Trail:
Complete Guide to the Pacific Crest Trail
Resupply Guide for the PCT
PCT Gear List
PCT Gear Review
Thx for the Loksak tip. I hadn’t heard about them.
They are fragile and rip, I’m on my 3rd one, so beware!
Hopefully someday you’re be able to laugh about the Case of the Missing Laundry. I’m glad you solved it.
Oh I laughed about it, just not at the time!
Hummingbird has a pic of mr smith riding the shark on her blog… what did you do with the shark.. ? Its ok to post it…
It was a dolphin. I did nothing other than take a photo, rather boring really.
On the trail, are you hanging your food every night or do you just keep it with you in your tent? I’m curious since you have mentioned signs of cougars and spotting bear scat in the past few weeks.
I sleep with my food in a smell proof zip lock bag, I think it’s from Loksak.
You should have just taken the ladies sleeping garments and worn them on the trail.
Ladies PJs on the trail, I think that’s been done before. But I don’t think anybody would have picked me up while I was hitch hiking back to the trail!
HAHA!
While looking at some other blogs, I saw a fellow in a sleeveless dress, believe it or not. Such a freak show on the trail these days, nothing like the old days.
Hey, check out this chubster! https://bikehikesafari.com/2015/04/18/day-1-the-beginning/ :D
You don’t have any photos early on that really outline your body as well as these you posted today, but now comparing day 1 to day 86, it is *really* obvious.
Oh yeah, I’m gettin thin
Do you have more adventures on or off the trails? :-)
On trail are the adventures, coming into town is more of a chore