Soda Springs, Donner Pass Road

Dave is safe in Soda Springs, Calfornia today, Monday October 11th, at PCT mile 1155.5. He got off the trail and almost immediately got a hitch into Soda Springs and was dropped off at the Post Office. What we forgot was that today is Colombus Day and the Post Office is closed. Check PCT Half Mile map California Section K page 9.

http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/mapdl.html

There was a choice of hiking into Truckee which is a 12 mile hike, camping somewhere, or asking if there was any other option.

Dave went into the little store in Soda Springs where he got a phone number of a place to stay. When he placed the call he found out that it was a rent by the month location. The lady he talked to there told him of a Sierra Club location near him. He gave the Sierra Club Lodge, called Clari Tappaan Lodge, and they gave him a room for $25. The place is set up as a Dorm, full of bunkbeds. He is the only one staying in one wing. There is another wing where a Sierra Club member is staying. The staff was leaving, but offered Dave free range of the kitchen, including a large walk in freezer filled with food. His first comment was that it is spooky. Check ouot the web site for this lodge.

http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/lodges/ctl/

On the last part of the trail this morning, before he made his way into town, Dave had another experience with a knife edge mountain ridge and gusting wind. He was up almost 9000 feet and had winds around 50 mph. Clouds were blowing in, but the weather was still perfect for hiking.

This area gets the most snowfall of all the Sierra's, and is well known for skiing. Dave mentioned that there was a ski resort, Sugar Bowl, near where he got off the trail. There is a highschool which is just for kids who want to be skiiers.

Dave will spend the afternoon reading a book from the Lodge's library. He is looking forward to a quiet evening.

Trail Angel Jane