Belden, CA

Dave's Spot came in at 2:20 today, Tuesday October 19th. He's arrived at the city of Belden, on Hwy 70. The Post Office was only open until 1:00. We'll find out later if Dave made it into town in time to get his supplies. He typically hits his Spot after he's run his errands. See PCT Half Mile map California Section M page 11.

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

You can also Google Maps from Dave's Spot.

http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3hwkV/40.00648/\-121.24988

Dave has good weather today, and it should continue that way for the next day or so. By Thursday he could be hiking in scattered showers. The next town Dave will get in to is Chester, at the Drakesbad Guest Ranch which he'll reach Friday or Saturday. By then, it will be warm, but rainy.

If Dave is able to get to get to a phone, I'll add an update later.

Trail Angel Jane

Buck's Lake Road - Meadow Valley

Dave's Spot came in tonight, Monday October 17th at 6:30 pm. He is camping at PCT mile 1272.3, just north of Buck's Lake Road. See the PCT Half Mile map California Section M page 9.

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

You can also look at Dave's Spot on Google Map:

http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3helo/39.90812/\-121.13107

Today, Dave climbed from just over 3000 feet to 6000 feet back down to 5500 feet and then ending back just over 3000 feet. Tomorrow he'll hike up to 7000 feet and then drop down to just over 2000 feet when he gets into the town of Belden.

Trail Angel Jane

Plumes National Forest - Middle Fork Feather River

Dave's Spot came in tonight, Sunday October 17th at 5:50 pm. He is camping at PCT mile 1252 near the Middle Fork Feather River. Take a look at PCT Half Mile map California Section M page 7.

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

You can also look at Dave's Google Map from his Spot.

http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3hIho/39.80862/\-121.04463

Today Dave's hike was fairly flat and then ended downhill. He will most likely have some showers tonight. Dave is coming from Sierra City, which has showers tonight and tomorrow. He is hiking to Belden, which only shows showers tonight and sunny tomorrow. Sierra City is 60 miles behind him, and Belden is only about 30 miles away, so hopefully he'll get the sunnier weather.

One of Dave's resupply packages are already in Belden. Another one will get there tomorrow. Dave is not scheduled to get into Belden until Tuesday mid morning. He's making good miles each day which I'm sure Dave is happy about.

When Dave was home he repaired the two microscopic holes in his air mattress. This has made his nights so very comfortable. These nights of good sleep will surely be helping his hiking.

Trail Angel Jane

Dave's Spot did not come in yet tonight, Saturday October 16th. His goal was to hike 15 to 20 miles. That would put him around PCT mile 1232.

Last night Dave's Spot did come in. He camped at PCT mile 1212. Check out his Spot.

http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3gWP2/39.6605/\-120.67609

You can also check out PCT Half Mile map California Section M page 2 for Friday night camping. Tonight's camping is on page 5, PCT mile 1232.

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

We should hear more from him tomorrow. Rain is expected in the area that he is hiking. That would make Dave's Spot difficult to get. The cloudy weather could also explain why we have not gotten the Spot tonight. Rain should clear up Monday or Tuesday.

Trail Angel Jane

Gold Lake PCT mile 1212

Dave was surprised today, Friday October 15th, to get a cell signal. He only talked briefly because he has no way to keep his phone charged. He was at PCT mile 1212 overlooking Gold Lake. Check out PCT Half Mile map California Section M page 2.

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

When leaving Sierra City, Dave had quite a climb uphill. He went from approximately 4500 feet to 7500 feet. When looking at the PCT Half Mile map, check out page 12 for elevation information. He had to tackle switchbacks. As he was on the 10th switchback, a big blondish gray bear turned onto the trail ahead of him. The bear was about 50 feet away and was not running, but was trotting, moving faster than Dave was comfortable with. Dave took off down the mountain (not on the trail), passing two of the switchbacks. He made lots of noise and that did the trick. After a bit he headed back up the switchbacks and didn't see the bear again. There is a lot of bear scat, but hopefully no more bears. He will be careful tonight to have his food far away from his tent. Safety first!

This afternoon he is going to hike a bit further to see if there is water about three miles ahead. If not, he'll have to head back to Gold Lake which is further off the trail. Water is important, so he's not concerned with having to do a bit of extra walking. His feet are sore because this part of the trail is very rocky. He may need some new shoes before this trip is over. I sent him another package today with headphones (he's carrying an ipod without headphones!), goo, and Powerbars. They will arrive in Belden by Monday afternoon. Energy and music, two of Dave's must haves for the trail!

I should get Dave's Spot later but may not be able to post it until late. Keep watching!

Trail Angel Jane

Sierra City - Buckhorn

Dave is staying at the Buckhorn bar and restaurant tonight, Thursday October 14th, in Sierra City. He is at PCT mile 1197.6 His hike into town today was downhill and rocky, but he was very glad to get that pack off his back once again. Check out the PCT Half Mile map California Section L page 5.

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

The Buckhorn has lodging above the establishment. They've rented it to Dave for the night. He has access to the second and third floor, which has a balcony, free laundry, kitchen, and T.V. One of the first things he did was buy a paper to catch up on what was happening in the world.

Dave saw deer yesterday and mountain bikers. The deer were not afraid of him. There were 5 mountain bikers on the trail (yes, they are not suppose to be on the PCT). He camped on a road which ended up being so very comfortable. He had been hiking for two miles looking for a flat spot to camp. When he ran across the road, he decided to stop, not knowing what else he would find. When he began hiking this morning, he walked into a canyon. At first glance it would have been perfect for camping, but it was very cold. The road location had been really warm. Just pure luck that he picked the right spot.

This afternoon, Dave will do laundry, grab a beer, and relax with some T.V. He describes Sierra City as the "wild, wild, west". The feel of the town is very quaint.

http://www.sierracity.com/Tours/Phototours.html

Trail Angel Jane

Jackson Meadows Resevoir

Tonight, Wednesday October 13th, Dave is camping at PCT mile 1164.5. Check out PCT Half Mile map California Section L page 4.

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

You can also see Dave's Spot at the following:

http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3fj_f/39.48581/\-120.52361

Dave hiked 22 miles today. Sierra City is at PCT mile 1197.5, which is Dave's next resupply location. He'd need to hike a good 33 mile day tomorrow, but since the Post Office would be closed by the time he got into town, he'll probably take it easy and do another 20+ mile day and have a short walk into town Friday.

Today I picked up a Through Hiker, Schroomer. He finished the very last steps of his hike today! It was wonderful to be able to celebrate this with him. Vasquez Rocks in Agua Dulce were some of his last steps. He completed the trail at the corner of Agua Dulce Road and Darling Road. He waited for me at the Saufley's, Hiker Haven. It was great meeting Donna and Jeff. We are hoping that they join us for Dave's end of the hike party. Congrats Schroomer!!!

Trial Angel Jane