Cowboy camp above Buckhorn Spring - RV Park campground in Seiad Valley
Mile 1632 - 1653
Total 21 miles
I have slept comfortably at a cozy cowboy camp site under a large old fir tree and in early morning before sunrise I am fresh for today's walk. 21 miles are remaining until Seiad Valley, the last village on the PCT in California. I hope that for 21 miles my shoes still hold together; In Seiad Valley a package with a new pair of shoes is waiting.
Sunrise appears on the next ridge and then the PCT begins a long gradual downhill descent into the deep valley of the Klamath River.
The forest was burned by a fierce fire in 2014. In some sections, all trees turned to ashes. In other sections, about half of the trees survived. And both in burned and unburned areas there is a rich diversity of plant life in the undergrowth.
As the elevation decreases and the day progresses, heat intensifies especially in the burned forest sections. However, there are numerous springs and little streams as the trail descends into a side valley of Girder Creek.
The trail goes parallel to Girder Creek, crossing it four times. Two of the four bridges were also burned down in the 2014 fire, but the stream can be easily crossed on fallen logs. At the fourth bridge near a closed campground is a small waterfall and a deep swimming hole. The deep area is not big, but the streamflow is about same speed as my swimming speed. I swim against the current while the cold flow is massaging my stiff feet. As I get ready to climb out of the water, I spot a large snake swimming across the stream and gracefully moving between the boulders.
After the closed campground the PCT joins a forest road. Along the road there is a cottage with a big walnut tree and vegetable garden; and huge bushes of ripe blackberries.
The Klamath River is the biggest river crossed by the PCT in California. On the other side I can already see the village of Seiad Valley, but the PCT takes a long four mile road walk detour to a steel bridge on highway 96 where it finally crosses the river.
In the small town of Seiad Valley there is a fire station, post office, store, cafe and a few houses.
Most of the houses are surrounded by Big vegetable gardens and fruit orchards and the people keep lots of domestic animals including horses, cows and a donkey.
There are also lots of hikers hanging out in shade next to the store. Some are staying overnight, most are just having a siesta to wait out the afternoon heat and planning to walk on in the evening. I recognize a few faces that I have last seen many days or weeks ago; then my steps go to the store and ask if they have a package for me. Two weeks ago I used the Amazon gift card from my good friend from Utah to order new shoes and ship them to Seiad Valley store. And the brand new shoes have arrived!
Before trying on the new shoes, I have to thank the old shoes that have carried me here all the way from Tehachapi Pass. Unlike Cheryl Strayed, I still have all my fingernails. When I purchased the shoes at the Runner's Corner store in Provo, the staff told me the estimated lifetime was 600 miles. My shoes have lasted almost double the distance! For those interested in detail, the brand of the shoes is "Pearl Izumi N2". Like most running shoes, they are made in China.
The distance walked in the shoes is estimated as: PCT mile 566 - 1653: 1087 miles on PCT from Tehachapi Pass to Seiad Valley + 16 miles to Mount Whitney and back + 22 miles to Yosemite Valley + 7 miles to Waterwheel falls + 15 miles to Lake Tahoe + 3 miles to Sierra City
Here is a comparison of the old and new shoes ...
I have to change my opinion about "made in China". No other shoes that I had in my life have walked 1150 miles! Probably the hardy "Canada" boots would be able to manage many more miles, but at the cost of losing my fingernails and getting numerous blisters. Like most other PCT hikers I chose comfort of feet over lifetime of shoes. I hope the new pair will last at least until the end of my PCT journey to Washington and maybe all the way to Canada!
I spend rest of the day relaxing, chatting with other hikers, and enjoying a warm meal (spaghetti with onions, tomatoes and black beans) after five days without cooking. Then I have a shower at the RV campground (after 12 days) and setup my tent in soft grass of the campground My feet are looking forward to testing the new shoes tomorrow!
Mile 1632 - 1653
Total 21 miles
I have slept comfortably at a cozy cowboy camp site under a large old fir tree and in early morning before sunrise I am fresh for today's walk. 21 miles are remaining until Seiad Valley, the last village on the PCT in California. I hope that for 21 miles my shoes still hold together; In Seiad Valley a package with a new pair of shoes is waiting.
Sunrise appears on the next ridge and then the PCT begins a long gradual downhill descent into the deep valley of the Klamath River.
The forest was burned by a fierce fire in 2014. In some sections, all trees turned to ashes. In other sections, about half of the trees survived. And both in burned and unburned areas there is a rich diversity of plant life in the undergrowth.
As the elevation decreases and the day progresses, heat intensifies especially in the burned forest sections. However, there are numerous springs and little streams as the trail descends into a side valley of Girder Creek.
The trail goes parallel to Girder Creek, crossing it four times. Two of the four bridges were also burned down in the 2014 fire, but the stream can be easily crossed on fallen logs. At the fourth bridge near a closed campground is a small waterfall and a deep swimming hole. The deep area is not big, but the streamflow is about same speed as my swimming speed. I swim against the current while the cold flow is massaging my stiff feet. As I get ready to climb out of the water, I spot a large snake swimming across the stream and gracefully moving between the boulders.
After the closed campground the PCT joins a forest road. Along the road there is a cottage with a big walnut tree and vegetable garden; and huge bushes of ripe blackberries.
The Klamath River is the biggest river crossed by the PCT in California. On the other side I can already see the village of Seiad Valley, but the PCT takes a long four mile road walk detour to a steel bridge on highway 96 where it finally crosses the river.
In the small town of Seiad Valley there is a fire station, post office, store, cafe and a few houses.
Most of the houses are surrounded by Big vegetable gardens and fruit orchards and the people keep lots of domestic animals including horses, cows and a donkey.
There are also lots of hikers hanging out in shade next to the store. Some are staying overnight, most are just having a siesta to wait out the afternoon heat and planning to walk on in the evening. I recognize a few faces that I have last seen many days or weeks ago; then my steps go to the store and ask if they have a package for me. Two weeks ago I used the Amazon gift card from my good friend from Utah to order new shoes and ship them to Seiad Valley store. And the brand new shoes have arrived!
Before trying on the new shoes, I have to thank the old shoes that have carried me here all the way from Tehachapi Pass. Unlike Cheryl Strayed, I still have all my fingernails. When I purchased the shoes at the Runner's Corner store in Provo, the staff told me the estimated lifetime was 600 miles. My shoes have lasted almost double the distance! For those interested in detail, the brand of the shoes is "Pearl Izumi N2". Like most running shoes, they are made in China.
The distance walked in the shoes is estimated as: PCT mile 566 - 1653: 1087 miles on PCT from Tehachapi Pass to Seiad Valley + 16 miles to Mount Whitney and back + 22 miles to Yosemite Valley + 7 miles to Waterwheel falls + 15 miles to Lake Tahoe + 3 miles to Sierra City
Here is a comparison of the old and new shoes ...
I have to change my opinion about "made in China". No other shoes that I had in my life have walked 1150 miles! Probably the hardy "Canada" boots would be able to manage many more miles, but at the cost of losing my fingernails and getting numerous blisters. Like most other PCT hikers I chose comfort of feet over lifetime of shoes. I hope the new pair will last at least until the end of my PCT journey to Washington and maybe all the way to Canada!
I spend rest of the day relaxing, chatting with other hikers, and enjoying a warm meal (spaghetti with onions, tomatoes and black beans) after five days without cooking. Then I have a shower at the RV campground (after 12 days) and setup my tent in soft grass of the campground My feet are looking forward to testing the new shoes tomorrow!
Good job Jiri! You are my true hero! I think you have made an excellent advertisement of " Made in China" :)
ReplyDeleteHey Jirka-Lumimies,
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that you have all your toenails. Hope the new Pearl Izumi shoes will be kind to your toes during these next miles. Judging from the wear on the soles of the old shoes, you use your Big Toe pretty hard.
Mahtavaa matkaa ! ~R