Author: Charles Stump

Thursday, August 6. Mid-60s and sunny going up to 99. Smoky from Oregon fires.

Up at 7:00. Light breakfast, finished packing, and waiting for my ride by 8:00. 

I have 1148 miles to go. Exciting and depressing all at the same time.

My trail angel picked me up in Mount Shasta and dropped me off at the trail by I-5 at 8:20. 

Entered the Castle Crag wilderness. 

About noon I stopped at an intersection of the PCT and a local trail that leads back to the Castle Crags State Park. There was surprisingly good cell service on the side trail. 

I sat down for an hour and had a good hard look in the virtual mirror. My left Achilles was hurting a lot. The three-day break did not seem to do any good. I was almost collapsing from the pain every few hundred yards. And now the pain was not just in the back of the ankle where the Achilles attaches. It spread down into the outer left part of the foot. That later part was a constant burning pain and the Achilles pain was a bad stabbing pain. I stared at the map on my phone for a long time. If I push on, I move into a remote 5-day stretch of trail with only one sketchy exit point on day 3 or 4. 

I called Pitcrew and we talked for quite a while. I made the very difficult decision to end my PCT thru-hike at this point. My Achilles is just getting worse. Each night it is painful to the touch, let alone walking on it. I am only making 15-17 mile days at best. I should be doing 24+ mile days at this point, but that is not going to happen. I am worried that if I push on I will tear the Achilles and get stranded in a remote area with no good way out. 

Deciding to end my hike at mile 1508.3 was one of the most difficult decisions in my life. I know I will regret this a lot in the short term, but I think it is the right thing / safe thing to do. 

I texted my trail angel from this morning as I can limp back to the state park entrance, which is only about 3.5 miles away and is very close to her home. My plan is to get a rental car in Redding, CA, and then take some time sightseeing in CA and OR before finally making my way home. She was available and could pick me up around 2:00 when I arrived at the trailhead.

As I was hiking the side trail back to the state park entrance, I passed Chinchilla, Niaal, Jacob,  and Bonk. They got on trail late today, headed north to the PCT, and were each about 5-10 minutes apart. I stopped and said goodbye to each of them. I have been hiking with or around these folks since my first few days on trail. 

I reached the Castle Crags Park parking lot at 2:05 and 8.7 miles for the day. My amazing trail angel arrived about 15 minutes later and drove me to the Enterprise car rental in Redding around 3:30. 

I took my time and drove back up to Burney with plans to visit Burney Falls tomorrow. I did not take the side quest to see them last week, and since I am so close, I figured I should check them out. 

I decided to do some sightseeing along the Oregon coast and work my way back over to Reno to catch an Amtrak train back home. This will give me some time to think and to see some nice sights on the way home. I should be back home next Wednesday around noon.

Needless to say, I am emotionally messed up at present and need time to decompress, contemplate life, and come to grips with my abrupt PCT conclusion.

I will have one more post for my travels home (it was an adventure) as well as a post-PCT epilogue once I get home. Thanks to everyone who followed this blog and supported me on my first adventure on the PCT.

Technical Notes:

• Protein Shake (10oz): 330 cal, 19g carb, 13.5g fat, 36g protein 
• Kielbasa 400
• Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per 
• Water liters: 1
• Miles: 8.7
• Time: 5:49
• Up: 1414
• Down: 1506
• Calories consumed: 
• Calories burned: 1733
• iPhone battery used: 40%

Wednesday, August 5. Mid-60s and sunny going up to 93. Smoky from Oregon fires.

Up at 8:30. Lazy morning. Confirmed my trail angel ride back to the trail tomorrow morning. I need to go to the sporting goods store, post office, and grocery store today. They are all within a 3-block walk of my hotel. I chose wisely 🙂

My package might not get to Etna post office in time due to the weekend, so I sent it to Seiad Valley instead. It’s more food than I need to get from Seiad Valley to Ashland, but I don’t want to carry that extra weight and volume.

I ran into Chinchilla, Niaal, Bonk, and Jacob in Shasta. Made my day. They are staying with a trail angel tonight and back on the trail tomorrow morning. Really good to see people from the original bubble on day one!

I also ran into Hell Yeah at the Black Bear Diner while having lunch. Another face from day one. Very cool! Unfortunately, the picture I took was messed up 🙁

Tried to get new toe socks and a CNOC at the local outfitter. No luck on either. I got a pair of knee-length compression toe socks. They are okay. I got a light 3-liter water bag that I can carry without leaking. It can’t support my water filter, but I can use it to fill my leaking CNOC and use that to filter water. Ugly, but will get me to Ashland, OR, where Pitcrew will send me a bunch of gear.

Did a bit more resupply shopping including replacing my nasty smart water bottles. Talked to Pitcrew about my new hiking plan and joined the Kile family Zoom call.

OK, now for the big thru-hike plan update. I’m worried about Washington state in the second half of September and early October. That gets into the rainy season as well as snow at higher altitudes. I have been concerned about this since well before I started my PCT hike. Hence why I thought through a contingency plan long ago.

I am going to flip up to the Oregon-Washington border at Cascade Locks from Ashland, Oregon. I should reach the California-Oregon border near Ashland on or about August 16. From there I will rent a car and drive to Portland, OR. There is a bus and light rail from Portland to Cascade Locks. I should be in Cascade Locks and ready to get on trail by August 18.

Depending on my Achilles, I should reach Canada and hike 2 days back to civilization by September 15. Once I finish Washington, I will flip back south and hike the remainder of Oregon. I should complete Oregon around October 10. 

This plan significantly improves my chances of completing the most northern part of the PCT before bad weather sets in. It also puts me very close behind the bubble of hikers leaving north from the PCT Trail Days Festival on August 16/17. Bonus!

Obviously all this is dependent on wildfires in Washington, Oregon and successful completion of the final 218 miles of NorCal. This new plan has me completing the PCT close to my pre-hike guesstimate of the end of the first week in October. 

For comparison, I started the Application Trail (2,197 miles) on April 15, 2024 and finished on October 6, 2024. Given my April 24 start date for the PCT and the 2,650 miles for the PCT, this all works out logistically and mathematically.

Tuesday, August 4. Mid-60s and sunny going up to 98. Smoky from Oregon fires.

Up at 6:30. Had breakfast at BMGR, finished packing, and contemplated the remainder of my hike. Talked a bit with a guy working at the ranch who’s done the PCT 3 times including a YO-YO. My friends and I, who are slow and running late, are more worried about the weather in northern Washington in late Sept into Oct than we are about wildfires. 

It gets cold and rainy in later September in the northern Cascades with strong chances of snow in the higher passes. I think I have made a decision, but want to sleep on it. More on this topic tomorrow.

Heard from my trail angel in Dunsmuir. I’m picking up 2 packages at her house on the way to Mount Shasta. She can pick me up at 8:00 a.m. Thursday and take me to the trailhead. Nice!

Got dropped off in Burney by the BMGR owner at 11:30. Bus picked up right on time at 11:50. Love the local and regional bus services in California.

Got a shuttle from Redding to Mt Shasta with a stop in Dunsmuir to pick up my packages at a Trail Angel’s house. Thanks much Ken JoAnn. Got to Mt Shasta about 2:40.

Loving my new shoes!

Had a late lunch while waiting to get into my hotel at 4:00. I’m located right in the heart of Mount Shasta. Unpacked, picked up my prescription and turmeric supplement at the smallest CVS I’ve ever seen, picked up some snacks and beverages for the next 2 nights, and relaxed. 

Hoping the anti-inflammatories, turmeric supplements, ice, and not hiking will help a lot in the next 2 days. Lots of icing the Achilles!

Had a late dinner and drinks, then watched TV until 11:00. I’ll do all my other errands tomorrow.

Monday, August 3. Mid-60s and sunny going up to upper-90s.

Up at 6:30. Started my laundry, then meandered to the main building for breakfast at 7:00. Nice post-breakfast conversation with fellow hikers. Hung laundry up to dry and inventoried my food, including the resupply box that Pitcrew sent here.

Signed the water tank and posed with the backpacker Bigfoot.

I can’t find an ortho this week, so

I tried the newish Amazon One Medical Telehealth service. I got to see a nurse within 20 minutes. Had a good conversation. She concurred it’s bad  Achilles Tendonitis. Suggested I take some time off hiking. Sent a prescription for anti-inflammatories (same ones my ortho back home prescribed) to the CVS in Mount Shasta. Also recommended a turmeric-based supplement for inflammation control. Good experience overall.

Last night I read an article from the National Weather Service that the winds will shift from west-to-east to east-to-west for the next several days. Sure enough, we see a lot of smoke from the Oregon fires today. Gonna get worse over the next several days. We have been lucky on this front so far.

This view was crystal clear yesterday afternoon.

Between the smoke, upper 90s temperatures, and the Achilles issue, I’m taking a triple-zero. Resting today at BMGR. The owner will drive me into Burney tomorrow morning. I will take a bus 90 minutes to Redding, CA. I arranged a shuttle service to take me 90 minutes north to the town of Mount Shasta with a quick stop in Dunsmuir to pick up a package at a trail angel’s house.

I have a nice room in Mount Shasta until Thursday morning. I’ll rest and ice my Achilles as best I can. I haven’t decided exactly where or when I’m getting back on the trail yet. Probably Thursday.

Kellie (Armpit) arrived around noon. I have not seen her since before Tuolumne Meadows. She was part of the group that I started with way back on day one!

Finished chores, uploaded blogs, and took a few dips in the pool. Definitely starting to smell the smoke from the wildfires.

Talked to Pitcrew on her way home from work.

Nice dinner at the ranch and some good conversation about Washington in September. About 20 hikers here this evening. Back to room at 7:30 and watched movies until 11:00.

Sunday, August 2. Mid-60s and sunny going up to mid-90s.

Up at 7:00. 

I hung my pack on a tree limb as normal last night, but woke to a pack covered with ANTS! It took me 45 minutes to clean most of them off of my pack. Ugh!

On trail at 8:40. I want to be into BMGR by 3:00 at the latest. 

Walked through very different terrain today. Lava patches throughout the cattle grazing areas.

My daily view of Mount Shasta.

I passed the 1400-mile mark this morning!

Ran into lots of lava fields. They are very nasty to hike on. Sharp and hot in those 95-degree heat with no shade.

Filled up at a water cache at 11:30 and 7.7 miles in. Hot day again. Also had lunch. Back on trail at noon.

Took a quick break by the PG&E Baum Lake Powerhouse.

Moving slow as my Achilles is really bad today. I gotta do something about this.

Finally reached BMGR at 3:00. Limped in and dehydrated. This heat is worse than most of the desert. 

I weighed in at 180 lbs when I first arrived. After 5 hours, rehydrating and a good meal, I weighed in at 190.

Very nice, friendly place. Meals are served home-style to the entire group. Nice to have a home-cooked meal. Talked with several other hikers and relaxed before and after dinner. In bed at 9:00. 

Side note…lightly smacked my Achilles on a chair leg and thought I was going to collapse from the pain.

Technical Notes:

• Protein Shake (10oz): 330 cal, 19g carb, 13.5g fat, 36g protein 
• Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein 
• Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein 
• Tortilla: 140 kcal, 24g carb, 3g fat, 4g protein 
• Tuna: 90 kcal, 4-7g carb, 1g fat, 14-16g protein 
• salami 150
• Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per 
• Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per 
• More town food 
• Water liters: 4
• Miles: 14.9
• Time: 6:52
• Up: 863
• Down: 1919
• Calories consumed: lots
• Calories burned: 1964
• iPhone battery used: 40%

Saturday, August 1. Mid-50s and sunny going up to mid-90s.

Up at 7:00. On trail at 7:40. Stopped at Old Station Fill-up for coffee and used their internet while I drank my coffee. Pleasant morning. Ran into Trapper as I left the gas station. He camped behind the station last night. He will pass me in a few hours.

There is water at mile 8 and at mile 16.5 today. I need to camp at the last water source today as there is a 13-mile dry stretch after that. My goal is to be at Burney Mountain Guest Ranch tomorrow by 2-3:00. I want to get a spot in the bunkhouse and it’s first-come, first-served.

Made a 1-mile round trip visit to Subway Cave. It’s a 20,000-year-old lava tube that goes deep underground. 

Finished my ascent of the day to the Hat Creek Overlook. I get to say goodbye to Mount Lassen after walking around it for almost a week. I also get to say hello to Mount Shasta, which I will now walk around until I reach Oregon in 9-12 days. 

Enough sightseeing. I have 5.5 miles to the next water and 13.5 miles to camp and the last water of the day.

Ran into trail angel OutsideJay about 1/2 a mile later. He had water and was offering slackpacking over the next 15 miles. Trapper took him up on it, but I passed. He told us about two water caches he has a few miles north. Fingers crossed I find them. Will save me a nasty .3-mile descent to a marked water source that I’m not looking forward to.

Found the water cache at 12:30 and 1386 miles. No climbing down and back up that steep climb to Lost Creek in 2 miles. Woo Hoo! Found a little shade and took a break.

It’s hot out here today with very little shade. I’m in an old burn area from probably 20 years ago. Nature is reclaiming it, but there are very few trees taller than me, so not much to provide shade. 

It’s hot with little shade. Reminds me of the desert. Found a tree with decent shade and took another break at 3:30. 

Back on trail again at 4:00. I have either 4 miles or 7.2 miles to go. There is water at 4, but I’d like to push to 7.2. 

Comms array.

Arrived at the water cache (Cache 22) at 6:00. Feet hurting a lot. Filled up with 4 liters of water and decided to push on at least 2 more miles.

Found a campsite at 7:00. Next campsite would get me there after 8:00, so went with this one. 

YouTube of Day 100

Had okay cell service and was able to snag a private room reservation for the next two nights at Burney Mountain Guest Ranch (BMGR). I’ll work on finding a doctor’s appointment and planning my rest break for my Achilles while at MBGR.

Even at 8:30 pm it’s still hot and no air moving. I am so happy that I have my fan and a dedicated power bank for it!

Technical Notes:

• Hostess cupcakes 340
• Coffee 
• Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein 
• Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein 
• Fritos 400
• Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per 
• Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per 
• Salami 350
• Cup noodles Stir Fry Sweet Chili  (8 oz water): 335 Kcal, 55g carb, 13g fat, 8g protein 
• Cup noodles Stir Fry Sweet Chili  (8 oz water): 335 Kcal, 55g carb, 13g fat, 8g protein 
• Spam 210 cal, 9 g protein 
• Skittles 420
• Water liters: 5
• Miles: 21.37
• Time: 11:38
• Up: 2015
• Down: 2231
• Calories consumed: 2860
• Calories burned: 3363
• iPhone battery used: 50%

Friday, July 31. Mid-50s and sunny going up to low-90s.

Up at 7:30. Post office opens at 11:00 and I have a 6-10 mile hike to get there. Perfect timing. On trail at 8:20.

Nice to not be in the burn zone and in some shade from live trees.

Arrived at Old Station and Hat Creek Resort at 10:35. About 6 other hikers here. The camp store doesn’t have much other than expensive snacks and soda. I got an ice cream and moved up the road to Rim Rock Ranch which appears to have a much better store including beer. 

My package was not at the post office. It was only some extra food I bounced from Quincy. I think it got lost in the Quincy Post Office. No big deal.

Road walked to Rim Rock Ranch campground and arrived at 12:30. Can’t check in until 3:00. It’s a bit hot out here on the road with no shade. 

Rim Rock has a nice camp store. Decently stocked for hikers and campers. Much better than the Hat Creek Resort store. And they have beer and a nice food truck. Open until 8:00 on weekends. Friendly staff and there is a small general store 1/2 a mile up the road.

Walked to the Old Station Fillup. Gas station and store with emphasis on RV camping. Nice place with good selection. And they have a Verizon signal booster. Decent internet service using my Verizon hotspot. Got some snacks, a cold sandwich, and a big fountain drink.

They also have a small laundromat and coin-op showers next door. I paid $5 for a 7-minute shower. Fortunately, I have that lightweight pack towel! The shower was very nice given all that burn area I’ve been hiking in.

Hung out at the gas station for a couple of hours to use their fast Verizon. Talked to Pitcrew and joined Jon’s Friday Zoom Happy Hour. 

Checked in at the campground and got access to their WiFi. I’m staying in the sleeper compartment of an 18 wheeler. They have 3 of them sitting on the ground for $24 a night. No electricity, but nice coolness factor!

Hung out on the shade at the camp store all evening. Met Skittles, the only other PCT hiker here, and chatted for a few hours with her. She is headed to Burney Mountain Guest Ranch tomorrow also. Had a pair of yummy and expensive microwave burritos for dinner. Headed back to my truck sleeper at 8:30.

Technical Notes:

• Protein Shake (10oz): 330 cal, 19g carb, 13.5g fat, 36g protein 
• Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein 
• Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein 
• Ice cream 500
• Root beer 270
• Sandwich 500
• More town food 
• Water liters: 1
• Miles: 10
• Time: 4:0
• Up: 131
• Down: 1247
• Calories consumed: lots
• Calories burned: 1156
• iPhone battery used: 20%

Thursday, July 30. Mid-50s and sunny going up to low-80s.

Up at 7:00. Mostly packed up and walked to the Guest Ranch for a big breakfast. I won’t need lunch today. Packed and on trail at 9:45. Late start but nice morning.

Had breakfast company.

Very steep 1.5-mile climb up out of the Warner Valley! Looking back across the valley. I came down through that saddle on the right yesterday.

More white thorn and burn area today. Thank god I have long pants. It still gets through sometimes.

River crossing on a log jumble.

Boardwalk through a marsh.

More burn area.

Passed by Lower Twin Lake at 1:30 and 8 miles. Several hikers were here enjoying a swim.

Took the cutoff to Cluster Lakes trail. It’s 4.6 miles before reconnecting with the PCT. Saves .4 miles. The real reason is that there is water (lakes) on this alternate but none on the PCT. I want to camp not far after Cluster Lakes Trail rejoins the PCT, so this is my only water option. I’ll fill up and carry 4.5 liters to my camp for tonight.

Feather Lake surrounded by burnt trees.

Silver Lake and Mount Lassen. The water is amazingly clear, but very warm. Grabbed 1.5 liters of water here. Not another soul on this side trail today.

Cluster Lakes. My last water of the day. Carried an extra 2 liters away for dinner and tonight.

Hot and barren afternoon.

Left Lassen at 5:05

 Nice final views of Mount Lassen.

YouTube Video of Day 98

Made camp at 5:50. Six other hikers nearby. No cell. We are on the edge of the burn area. Some live trees.

Technical Notes:

• Scrambled eggs 130
• Bacon 400
• Sausage 500
• Juice 400
• Coffee 
• Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein 
• Banana Chips (18p, 30g): 150 kcal, 20g carb, 8g fat, 1g protein 
• Fritos 320
• Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per 
• Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per 
• Salami: 150
• White chicken chili: 760 cal, 41g protein 
• Fritos: 400
• Hostess mini chocolate donuts 300
• Skittles 250
• Water liters: 4
• Miles: 17.13
• Time: 8:11
• Up: 1946
• Down: 2142
• Calories consumed: 4100
• Calories burned: 2329
• iPhone battery used: 40%

Wednesday, July 29. Mid-60s and sunny going up to mid-80s.

Up at 7:00. Still no solid response on my requests to trail angels for a ride back to the trail. Two possibilities, but radio silence. Bummed out. 

Got a ride from a trail angel with Lipstick and 2 others at 8:30. On the trail at 8:45. Awesome!!

Lots of thorns and blowdowns.

Road walk 4 miles to avoid the thorns and blowdowns with Lipstick and our other two hitchhikers from this morning.

Mount Lassen in the distance. 

Stopped for lunch in a nice shady spot at 11:40 and 7.5 miles in. Making good time and I feel good this morning. I usually feel energized the first day back on the trail from a town stop. 

Back into the burn area apparently.

Interesting note. People make a big deal about camping in the burn area due to widowmakers. I was up on a ridge looking down into a heavy burn area when the wind gusted hard for about 90 seconds. I watched 2 full trees and a bunch of limbs go down. 

Nasty trail with a variety of things that stick, poke, scratch, and otherwise hurt you.

Entered Lassen Volcanic National Park at 4:30.

Lots of burn in the park as well.

I keep losing the damn trail! And these damn things hurt a LOT.

Sulphur smell around mile 16.5 onward. It’s coming from Boiling Springs Lake. You can hear the lake bubbling from here.

Took the side trail to Drakesbad Guest Ranch. Arrived at 6:20. About 15 hikers having dinner and/or drinks. Things you don’t expect to find in the middle of the wilderness!

I could get an expensive room and dinner, but I prefer my tent as I already booked a $21 campsite. I also need to eat some of my food to lower my pack weight. I’m having a few beers before walking half a mile to Warner Valley Campground to set up my tent. I’ll come back here for breakfast. Good WiFi at the lodge.

Setup camp at 7:30 at Warner Valley Campground. Small National Park campground. About 15 other hikers here too.

Good day overall. Something made me have a minor anxiety moment at lunch. Started thinking about being alone days from civilization. I hate that.

Stopping at the Guest Ranch with other people and a touch of civilization felt good. I’m having breakfast there tomorrow before getting back on trail.

I only have 23 miles to get to Old Station and Hat Creek Campground on Friday. The campground is private and has a restaurant and store. I booked a site so I can pick up my package at the post office and have a chill afternoon. 

I wanted to do about 14 miles tomorrow, but there is a 12-mile water carry that’s gonna force me to do 19 miles. That sucks. There is an alternative route that passes a couple of lakes. I may take that trail for the water. It will be a game-time call based on water.

Technical Notes:

• Hostess mini chocolate donuts 300
• Coffee 
• Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per 
• Ben’s Rice Cold Soak: 250 kcal, 54g carb, 1g fat, 6g protein 
• Spam 230 cal, 9g protein 
• Mango (3-4p, 30g): 100 kcal, 25g carb, 0g fat, 0g protein per 
• Beer 250
• Beer 250
• Salami: 150
• Cup noodles Stir Fry Sweet Chili  (8 oz water): 370 Kcal, 55g carb, 13g fat, 8g protein 
• Cup noodles Stir Fry Sweet Chili  (8 oz water): 370 Kcal, 55g carb, 13g fat, 8g protein 
• Tuna: 90 kcal, 4-7g carb, 1g fat, 14-16g protein 
• Fritos: 400
• Skittles 250
• Water liters: 4
• Miles: 19.7
• Time: 10:48
• Up: 3350
• Down: 2807
• Calories consumed: 3110
• Calories burned: 3445
• iPhone battery used: 40%

Tuesday, July 28. Mid-60s and sunny going up to mid-80s.

Up at 7:15. 

I’m considering going to an orthopedist to look at my Achilles. The closest is in Redding, CA which is not close. Need to research and ponder this some more.

Walked a block to Lola’s Restaurant for a leisurely breakfast. Walked about half a mile to a very nice RV park that has a nice clean laundry service. Washed my clothes as best as possible. Those socks and shirt are never going to look clean again. At least they smell clean.

Picked up some shoe goo to try to fix the leak in my water bag. Fingers crossed. Picked up my resupply box at the post office and headed back to the hotel.

I sent myself too much breakfast food. Repaired my water bag but won’t know until tomorrow if it will hold. Reviewed my food and itinerary. Walked back to the post office and shipped some food about 10 days ahead on trail. Stopped at the grocery store for the few things I still needed on the way back home.

Ordered a spare CNOC water bag and some toe socks to be delivered to home. Will have Pitcrew ship them as needed. 

Got mostly packed for trail tomorrow and started looking for a ride to trail in the morning.

Looked into an orthopedist. The closest  is in Redding, CA. Called them and they only take messages and will call back in 1-2 days. They also want a referral even though my insurance does not require it. Left my primary care doctor a message asking for a referral. I don’t have high hopes that this will all work out.

Did more research and planning for the next 5 days or so and made a reservation for the campground in Lassen National Park for tomorrow night. If I don’t stay there I will have to hike through the park without camping as I don’t have a bear can. It’s 20 miles to get there, so I’m hoping to get on trail early tomorrow.

Had a video call with Pitcrew then headed out to find dinner at the Kopper Kettle Cafe around 6:30. My kind of place. Has an old school diner feel. Almost got liver and onions, but the pork chops were calling my name tonight.

Feeling a bit anxious this evening for two reasons. First, I don’t have transportation to trail nailed down yet, which I hate. Second, I’m not wild about the 5-day, 4-night section coming up early next week. It’s very remote and very overgrown. Plus I lose my good option to get to an orthopedist if I get into that section. I hate feeling like this. It’s starting to remind me of the issues that I had on far northern section of the Appalachian Trail back in 2024.