Casa de Luna - Sawmill Campground
2 miles from Green Valley to trail + 12 miles fire detour + mile 493 - 498 of PCT
Total 19 miles
Taking off from the peaceful and hospitable home of Casa de Luna in Green Valley, I follow directions of the road walk detour. Part of the PCT has been closed in this area since a big fire in 2013. The road goes through villages of Lake Elizabeth and Lake Huges. The lakes are dry, only one little pond remaining - another sign of the ongoing severe southern California drought.
In Lake Huges I send some of my oats and rice onwards to Kennedy Meadows. Then I stop at the little store to buy avocados and meet two hikers "111" and "HG" at the Rock Inn bar. The bar has cold beer and great food including veggie burgers, and there's shade to wait out the biggest heat. I also got a postcard and sent it to Ziggy and Bear, to let Ziggy know that I made it through the Lake Fire detour and I'm safe.
Trees burned by the fire and dead apricot orchards can be seen on both sides of the valley. Finally I reach a place where a side trail leaves the road and heads back towards the PCT.
There is a spring with cold water; beautiful old trees; and millions of bugs wanting to eat me alive! At Upper Shake campground I meet Simba and Meerkat and other hikers who started earlier. We try some dance moves and it chases some of the bugs away. Shortly after the campground the side trail joins the PCT. We're done with the fire detour. Unfortunately it looks like a new fire started burning yesterday at Chimney creek, between Walker Pass and Kennedy Meadows (150 miles up the trail). Hope all hikers and firefighters are safe and hope there's more info how to get around that fire as we get closer to the area ...
The PCT goes through a thick old forest of oak, pine and fir trees. It's one of the most beautiful forest sections on the trail so far and resembles some of the old mixed woodlands of Central Europe. Including the flies and all kinds of other nasty bugs biting everywhere.
With evening approaching and sun hiding, a little breeze starts. A side trail leads to the top of Sawmill Mountain with a nice campground under oak trees. I build a tent to keep away the bugs, and join the other hikers camping here.
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