1681.9 to 1707.0  Daily miles: 25.1 I have left California, feet stained with its dirt and dust so that I think they’ve been tattooed. I’ve already forgotten more rugged beauty than most people have seen in a lifetime.  Forgive me for that, my brain gets overwhelmed sometimes. I’ve been too-hot, too-cold, too-wet, too-dry, too-hungry and … More August 5 (Day 96)

CS1655.9 to CS1681.9 (1655.9 to 1681.9) Daily miles: 26 Today is my last full day in California, and I finished up the last big climb before my mid morning snack.  I could see the tiny village of Seiad Valley getting smaller, likewise the Klamath River, which now both seem insignificant from way up here. I … More August 4 (Day 95)

Buckhorn Spring to CS1655.9 (1632.0 to 1655.9) Daily miles: 23.9  Up on this high plateau, next to the triple-trunk mossy tree, by the spring that’s barely-running on the hillside, the nights stay cool.  A doe might wander through the camp at night, but the sleepers stay asleep because they’re tired and the air is neither … More August 3 (Day 94)

Little Cub Spring to Buckhorn Spring (1604.7 to 1632.0) Daily miles: 27.3 A top 10 day for scenery and a top 5 day for physical challenge.  Just view after view and ranges as far as I could see.  I passed a trail register and signed it: “NorCal is the best Cal.” I stand by that. … More August 2 (Day 93)

South Fork Scott River to Little Cub Spring (1576.5 to 1604.7) Daily miles: 28.2 The creek kept the air nice and cool all night long and when I woke and walked down to it, it was still there.  Little terraces full of water cascading down and the stream-plants spread out over the tumble, fanning the … More August 1 (Day 92)

CS1548.2 to South Fork Scott River (1548.2 to 1576.5) Daily miles: 28.3 Cup of Earl Grey tea and blueberry scones straight away this morning.  Sunlight coming through the early morning trees and the far away mountains looking orange in the dawn hours.  Hit some nice ridges and saddles before I’ve even been walking for 10 … More July 31 (Day 91)

CS1517.4 to CS1548.2 (1517.4 to 1548.2) Daily miles: 30.8 Air cooled, Shasta still in a haze, easy walking and pass up Porcupine Lake and Toad Lake.  Don’t need liter after liter to keep up with my body today.  Enter basin after basin and book it to Dead Falls Lake.  Go for a swim, a nice … More July 30 (Day 90)

Dunsmuir to CS1517.4 (1499.2 to 1517.4) + 1.3 miles on Kettlebelly Trail Daily miles: 19.5 Woke up and realized I could catch an Amtrak train next door and be gone and hiking somewhere else in a couple days. I could fly to Colorado and hike the Colorado Trail, or go up to Glacier National Park, … More July 29 (Day 89)

CS1486.9 to Soda Creek Road (1486.9 to 1398.3) Daily miles: 11.4 This has been a few days coming.  I keep telling myself to take a short day, but I never do.  I sweat all through the night, never cooling down and wake up at 5 to start hiking before it gets hot.  Whenever I start … More July 28 (Day 88)

CS1463.5 to CS1486.9 (1463.5 to 1486.9) Daily miles: 23.4 There’s nothing that ails the tired, achy, hungry, weary thru-hiker that can’t be remedied by a nice soak in a cold backcountry river while eating a blueberry Clif Bar.