Cowboy camp on ridge NE of Devil's Peaks- camp spot under fir tree near Sheep Camp Spring
Mile 1673 - 1695
Total 22 miles
The rising sun lights up the dark green canopy of firs and pines as my walk continues along the Siskyiou mountain ridges in the Cascade Mountain range. The Cascades consist of numerous ridges of volcanic origin stretching all the way from northern California to western Canada. The most prominent landmarks of the Cascades are isolated volcanoes, some of them active, including Lassen Peak, Mount Shasta, Mount Hood and Mount Rainier. All of these volcanoes, especially Shasta, display a spiritual presence in the landscape. The native Americans have recognized Shasta as sacred and even today she displays the radiance of a higher power, stronger and more powerful than all human technology. The PCT does not dare to walk across the isolated volcano peak summits of the Cascades. Just like a hiker carefully tiptoes around a rattlesnake resting on the trail, the PCT takes a long detour around Mount Shasta as if Shasta were not to be disturbed, but only quietly observed from a distance.
The immediate surroundings of the PCT on the Siskyiou ridge crest are a colorful mosaic of rocky ground, forest and meadows.
There are uphills and downhills, but only a few hundred feet up or down. The trail switches between south and north sides of the ridge, giving the hiker views of vast expanses of forests of Northern California and Oregon.
Across forests, cow pastures and thick manzanita bushes, the trail reached a crossing of six forest roads. Here I meet up with a Swiss hiker "E.T." who encourages me to enjoy the last two miles of California. Oregon is nearby!
After traversing shady forest, crossing more cow pastures and entering forest again, a little sign "Welcome to Oregon" appears on one of the trees.
During last five years in the USA I have crossed many state borders in metal cages of cars, busses, trains and planes. Now for the first time I have crossed a border between two U.S. states on foot. There is a trail register with names of hikers some of them going from Canada and even more of us who started from Mexico. And many names of hikers that I met on my journey. It is encouraging to see they are still on the trail!
In Oregon I am greeted by tall trees and a ground squirrel, watching hikers from her cozy hideout.
A few miles past the boundary flows an abundant spring. Cows graze on meadows below the spring as evening approaches.
I fill up plenty of water in the spring and before it gets dark, find a spot to sleep in soft pine needles, for the first time sleeping on the soil of Oregon. Crater Lake, which seemed unreachable a few months ago, is now only one week's walk away!
Mile 1673 - 1695
Total 22 miles
The rising sun lights up the dark green canopy of firs and pines as my walk continues along the Siskyiou mountain ridges in the Cascade Mountain range. The Cascades consist of numerous ridges of volcanic origin stretching all the way from northern California to western Canada. The most prominent landmarks of the Cascades are isolated volcanoes, some of them active, including Lassen Peak, Mount Shasta, Mount Hood and Mount Rainier. All of these volcanoes, especially Shasta, display a spiritual presence in the landscape. The native Americans have recognized Shasta as sacred and even today she displays the radiance of a higher power, stronger and more powerful than all human technology. The PCT does not dare to walk across the isolated volcano peak summits of the Cascades. Just like a hiker carefully tiptoes around a rattlesnake resting on the trail, the PCT takes a long detour around Mount Shasta as if Shasta were not to be disturbed, but only quietly observed from a distance.
The immediate surroundings of the PCT on the Siskyiou ridge crest are a colorful mosaic of rocky ground, forest and meadows.
There are uphills and downhills, but only a few hundred feet up or down. The trail switches between south and north sides of the ridge, giving the hiker views of vast expanses of forests of Northern California and Oregon.
Across forests, cow pastures and thick manzanita bushes, the trail reached a crossing of six forest roads. Here I meet up with a Swiss hiker "E.T." who encourages me to enjoy the last two miles of California. Oregon is nearby!
After traversing shady forest, crossing more cow pastures and entering forest again, a little sign "Welcome to Oregon" appears on one of the trees.
During last five years in the USA I have crossed many state borders in metal cages of cars, busses, trains and planes. Now for the first time I have crossed a border between two U.S. states on foot. There is a trail register with names of hikers some of them going from Canada and even more of us who started from Mexico. And many names of hikers that I met on my journey. It is encouraging to see they are still on the trail!
In Oregon I am greeted by tall trees and a ground squirrel, watching hikers from her cozy hideout.
A few miles past the boundary flows an abundant spring. Cows graze on meadows below the spring as evening approaches.
I fill up plenty of water in the spring and before it gets dark, find a spot to sleep in soft pine needles, for the first time sleeping on the soil of Oregon. Crater Lake, which seemed unreachable a few months ago, is now only one week's walk away!
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