Checkerboarding the snowy Northern Sierras

Checkerboarding the snowy Northern Sierras.

Sorry so long between posts.  We haven't had internet for a long time.  Kevin hooked up with us in Reno.  We shopped for some gear then headed to Old Station where the Heitmans let us leave our car for the month.  We headed North from Old Station hiking the Hat Creek rim.  I promised Kevin 10 mile days but the first day was more like 15 and the second more like 17, then came the first blisters.  The hike on this rim was dry of snow and you had the great views of both Mt. Lassen behind us and Mt Shasata in front.  Both mountains covered with thewhite stuff.

Kevin and Jay looking toward the distant Mt. Shasta.

Volcano, to Volcano, the Hat creek rim is from volcanic activity in the area.

When we descended the rocks were so sharp.  Utahs paws seemed fine though.

Burny Falls!  Kevin has finished his first PCT leg! 

Me and Jay just past Halfway

Burny Falls

Mountain Magnolia

From Burny Falls we were signing up for the hiker campsite when a thruhiker lookin fella walks up and introduces himself as Moonbeam.  He is hiking with and supporting Yekceb, who has had to bail because of snow and hooked up with two lovely ladies named Square Peg and Vagabond.  Moonbeam offered to take us to Ash Camp around the snowy trinity and Marble mountains.  From there we slack packed 2 days to Seiad Vally.  Moonbeam heroically shuttling people and packs all over the place.

The Seiad Valley Post Office

Hiking out of Seiad Valley

Up on top of the world

Looking back at Shasta as we are turned around by snow near Cook and Green pass.  We decided to hike out on a jeep road to Ashland.

Kevin ascending a rotten cornice to re locate the trail

Waterfalls on the road to Medford.

As we were walking along a pick up truck pulls up and Bucky offers us a ride! Bucky is finishing up a few sections using a scooter and a pick up to do his own  shuttles.  He drove us to Medford where we rented a car and headed to Old Station to pick up our car.  We stayed the night in Yreka.  As I was downloading these photos, a woman says to me "Are you a thru hiker?" as it turned out Spelling Bee and Neil were bailing on the PCT as they had harrowing experiences in the Marbles.  They are heading to the AT.  We gave them a ride to Medfordas we returned the rental. 

For the last week we have been backpacking the Lost Coast Trail and exploring the giant seqouia and Redwood forests on the Pacific Coast.   I can't download pictures right now.  More to come!  We are off for another 5 or 6 day backpack into the six rivers national forest.  Then down we go to Truckee and Lone Pine.  Mt. Whitney bound!