PCT: Jackson Reservoir to Sierra City/Highway 49

PCT trail Mile  1183.5 to 1194.5

Lazy morning walk today through forest with a slight elevation gain.  Eventually we come to what we call a rocky goat trail that switch backed down, down, down to Milton Creek and into lowland oak scrub.  We keep our eyes peeled for rattlesnakes but don’t  see any.    I think we cross two or three bridges over this creek that keeps gaining water as we descend.  

Then there they are.  The Sierra Buttes.  Yesterday

these Buttes were in our view most of the day and we knew we were hiking to them because we had our car parked at their base.   Top photo is today and bottom photo is from yesterday. 

It always blows our minds how far our feet can carry us.  Even after all the miles we have hiked, we are still amazed when we visually see the distance we cover with just our feet. 

This little guy was our highlight for the day. 

This ant quickly found a seed Hawkeye dropped and took off with it.  We sat and watched in wonder as he scaled granite rocks and then crossed a log over the creek.  A few times he fell and we thought all was lost, but the little guy persisted. 

Often  in nature persistence is what separates life from death.  We hope he made it home and the queen was pleased.  

After our break, being inspired by an ant,  we hike on to the Yuba River.  Here we go for a swim.  It is very cold water, even for me, and a little scary as there was a waterfall out of our chosen swimming hole.  

The hole we swam in.  

The bigger swimming hole below ours.  

When we get to our car we drive the couple miles to Sierra City and have a wonderful outside lunch at The Red Moose Cafe.  

We then retrieve our truck at Donner Summit and drive to a small, almost empty campground north  on Highway 89.  It is easier than trying to find some wide spot on a forest road and we are both feeling very tired tonight.  

Will we be like the ant and continue on our hiking adventure or will we stop?  The answer is unknown right now as neither one of us feels like going on.  We are pooped out.  Not literally, of course.   You know, just super tired.  All tuckered out.  Bushed.  Knackered. Drained. Exhausted.