PCT Hikers Approach Mt Shasta on Thru-Hike

A southbound Pacific Crest Trail hiker covered miles in three days while approaching Mt Shasta. The trek included encounters with northbound and section hikers, passage through a burn area, and a missed opportunity at a reportedly premier lakeside campsite due to weekend crowds.

The account, published on The Trek, describes the daily realities of a thru-hike. The writer's mental state varied, questioning the purpose of the hike one moment and loving it the next. Physical challenges included significant dust and variable water availability.

Trail Encounters and Community

The first day saw an increase in people compared to the previous day. The hiker met one northbound thru-hiker (NOBO), four northbound long-ass section hikers (LASHers), and one southbound LASHer. The NOBO hiker believed herself to be the last northbound hiker on the trail, a claim the writer doubted. Lunch was shared with the SOBO LASHer, who was finishing her PCT by hiking sections previously closed by fire. She reportedly only had miles left. Retired, she splits her time between hiking and volunteering in Ukraine, preparing dehydrated food and knitting drone nets. She strongly encouraged the writer and their hiking partner, Meriwether, to consider volunteering as their next adventure.

Terrain and Conditions

The route passed through a small burn area in the Trinity Alps Wilderness, which was noted as less severe than others encountered. The rest of the day featured forest and open meadows with Mt Shasta growing closer but remaining distant. The second day was mostly flat with long, gentle grades that did not change hiking speed. The trail curved around valleys, offering views of the path ahead. The writer noted, "It was fun looking across the valley and seeing where we would be in a couple hours."

A planned stop at a lake famed as "the best on the PCT" was thwarted by crowds, attributed to it being a weekend. The writer estimated everyone within miles was there. After collecting water and washing feet, they hiked on for bonus miles and a view. Water scarcity became an issue by day's end on a dusty stretch.

The Final Push to Town

The third day was described as one of the best since Washington, with breathtaking views of Mt Shasta and the Castle Crags under a blue sky. The terrain was mostly downhill, winding around mountains and valleys. Motivated by Meriwether's goal to reach the town of Mt Shasta, the pair moved quickly, taking breaks for water and photos. The trail widened and smoothed as oak trees began to outnumber pines, allowing them to cover the last miles in under two hours.

The writer reflected on the thick brush lining many recent trail sections, realizing the brush was composed of miniature oak trees with leaves identical to the full-sized trees lower down. Despite the high of a phenomenal day, the writer admitted to crying during the first two hours of the morning and feeling teary in the final miles, underscoring the emotional rollercoaster of the long-distance hike.