Bucks Lake, Plumas County, California

July 5 This was a pretty cool lookout where I took a snack break. 
Bucks Lake Recreation Area
Had a great sleep last night and woke up feeling great. First 5 miles were down to the Feather River. I got there about 9am and was planning on just jumping in... But I jumped in, took a nap, jumped in again, read, jumped in again, read, took another nap, then decided it was time to get going 5 hours later. I started off going down the wrong trail about a quarter mile, but I got some good water out of it. The climb back wasn't all that bad. It was shaded at the time, so I got to go shirtless to keep cool. There were a few creeks and streams on the way up and a little poison oak, but no mega bushes. A Trail Angel put up a sign to come to their house at the road. I was planning on stopping, and I got there and forgot: "Left or right." So, I kept going. Finished my hiking at 8pm and still had plenty of good light left. I gotta try and plan my days to get a good siesta spot since there is so much daylight: 5-11am hike, siesta, and then hike 3-8pm since it's getting pretty hot during the day. Great day! Every day I get to hang out on the Feather River is gonna be a great day. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucks_Lake,_California

Back to the PCT

July 4th!

I got a good breakfast from Greg, then he drove me back to the trailhead. We said our goodbyes and off I went into the hot forest. I wanted to be back on the river so that I could jump in. I was kinda tired from the night before, so I powered through it and hiked till 7pm where I set up camp and am going to get some good sleep. No alarm clock tomorrow. I'm gonna get some quality sleep, then about 5 miles back to the Feather River where I'm sure I'll jump in.

7/1-7/3/13 Vacation with the Family

       Family Camp, Photo by Mark Murray
             Doug's Version
7-1 to 7-3-13
Today Pops and Mark got in their final 12, or so, miles. We got to the La Porte Road at about noon and had a siesta/wait for Greg by the creek. Greg came and swooped us away to our spot that we have been going to since I was a wee lad. It's an amazing spot right on the river with a stream that runs through it for good drinking water. A guy that mined must have lived there because it has a nice campfire and cooking area, benches, a shovel, and all that good stuff. The river has some good fishing and great swimming. There is a spot with a 30 foot jump into a pool. There were 3 nights with my brother Greg, his girlfriend and gf's sister, and our cousin, Cass. I will take Dad and Mark back to Hwy 80, and it's back on the trail for me. A great stop and lots of fun. Thanks all, and thanks Dad and Mark for hiking with me. I had a blast!

                     A Path

Greg's Version
Well, our young cousin (conveniently) got "stung" by a bee about 5 steps from the car and Doug got to carry her backpack the mile to our spot. I'm not sure about you, but she looks kinda ok in the below pic… Since my Dad was feeling good, he took it half the way. Mark was not feeling so good since he dropped his sleeping bag down the hill at some point and had to walk back to find it. Doug saw it when we finally caught up to the old timers, but Mark had already left to go searching for it. Once Mark got back and was given a pint of Newcastle out of the mini keg that Doug hauled in, he loosened up a little. We know it's tough being retarded…especially if you smell almost as bad as Doug.
>> Anyways, we had a good time. If anyone asks, tell them we had fun. All the girls got trail names. Natalie got "Sleepy." Karina was… well, she was also "Sleepy," and Cassidy was "Skit-zo," (pronounced like Skip-Bo) due to her freaking out whenever anything moved. She loved the water tho!

                  Pacman-Pacman, photo by Greg

       Vacation with Family, photo by Greg

Lots of Lakes

6/30/13
They're looking good. I need a haircut!


Mark got us up at about 7am today. We got going and saw lots of nice lakes. Probably about 20 or so today. There were a lot of good lookouts with great views too. At about 8 miles we got to "A Tree Spring." I guess there used to be a tree that looked like an "A." We couldn't find the tree, but the spring was amazing. Cold, good fresh water. Can't complain about that. Also, we met Hooligan, an Irishman. We decided to push on with the hopes of the creek 4 miles away being nice and big enough for a dip. The climb was hot, but those guys (Pops and Mark) are trail hardened by now and did it with ease, it seemed. We got to a small creek where we met the first sobo (southbound) thru hiker and his dog. He was a chatterbox, but in his defense he probably hasn't seen many people the last 3 months. Very nice guy and a cool dog. The conversation was about 2 hours long. It reminded me of the other sobo hiker I ran into who talked my ear off. We headed down the trail to Nelson Creek, where we set up camp a bit off trail next to the creek. We had a good clean since it was big enough to sit in. Dinner, cards, and some good chit chat, then it's beddy bye time. Great day and very familiar looking forest that I grew up camping in and around. 

Deer Lake, photo by Mark Murray

Upper Salmon Lake, photo by Mark Murray

After Sierra City

                 6-29
Brothers on the climb
We got up and going at about 6am to beat the heat. The first 8 miles was a 3000 foot climb with a good amount of switchbacks. Once the sun hit us, the climbing got a little tougher. We made it to our water destination and pretty much the top at about 11am for a good siesta. The water at that spring was amazing too. Cold and clear. The second part of the day was a bit of confusing road, walking through populated trail heads, and lots of people getting ready for 4th of July. We got to our spot and had another amazing Mountain House meal, then played some cards. I think the climb today wore those guys out, so hopefully they get some good sleep. It was a tough climb so they should be tired. Great day!

Hwy 80 to Sierra City to La Porte Road and Beyond

June 26 to July 3, 2013

                            Pacman on the PCT

                             Sierra  Buttes

                             Pacman

                             PCT

                            Pacman

                           PCT

                         Pacman, PacDad, and PacUncle (See switchback on trail on left!)

                            PacFamily on Vacation near La Porte Road. PacUncle taking picture..

Photos by Mark Murray

Mile 1201, Sierra City

6-28-13
Had a good sleep then got going 10 miles to Sierra City. At the shortcut to town we ran across a river we had to jump into. It was very refreshing. We got to town and had a burger and some beers, then took a stroll down to the river for another dip. Then all you can eat ribs!!!!!!!! It was the best meal I've had on the trail. I had quite a few, too. Then Dad and Mark learned how to hang out like hikers and chat. They were good at it, haha. Great day. Got a big climb tomorrow so hitting it early for being in town. And it's very hot out so don't wanna be climbing after 10 or so tomorrow morning. 

I guess I passed mile 1200!