PCT: Moosehead Creek to Butcher Knife Creek

PCT Trail Mile 1447.3 - 1467

We got a late start today as we spent over an hour trying to find the leak in Hawkeye’s sleeping pad.  We submerged it in Moosehead Creek, no bubbles seen.   Then he made some soapy water in a ziplock and poured it on the pad (away from the creek!) and still no escaping air bubbles seen.  At this point his pad was very wet so we sat around in the sunshine enjoying another cup of coffee while it dried.  Poor Hawkeye!  He will have a few more nights of blowing up his pad every couple of hours.  

Today’s walk itself took us from deep forest to a cliff edge hike and then back again into an ancient forest full of old growth cedars and fir trees.  We even saw a few patches of snow and  a young, shiny black bear.  The bear was in the brush just off the trail and we could hear it and see it’s black coat.   We introduced ourselves and it ran off briskly in the other direction with a lot of plants  wiggling and shaking. It’s always fun seeing a bear.   They are mostly quite reclusive.  

We also got a view of Mount Shasta today, albeit under the cover of clouds.  We also saw Mount Lassen way off to the south.  When we began this journey it was quite close to us. We are always amazed at how far our feet can take us.  Humans are wonderfully made.

The weather was agreeable and neither hot nor cold.  It made up for yesterday.  Water was plentiful, as were the flowers.  I love seeing wildflowers.  There are the show stoppers like columbine and the fluorescent orange Indian paintbrush, but there are so many others hiding in plain sight doing just what they were intended to do.    I find the degree of similarities and differences in the plant world very satisfying.   I think about how the differences in people are also beautiful and enriching. 

A few of today’s new faces.