Day 97 – Chester to Warner Valley Campground – 1352.1

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%