Pacific Crest Trail: Week Two was Killer

The Pacific Crest Trail is a thru hiking adventure, that stretches 2,600 miles between Mexico and Canada. While my partner has been hiking since March 18 when I dropped him off on the border of Mexico, my adventure started the first week of May, with my good girl Chloe Rue at my side. We had to skip north of the Sierra Nevada Mountains this year, and plan to end with them. Instead, we started where our pets can officially join us: Old Station, California. Follow along for stories, dog tails and things I am learning on the way- about my dog, my partner and life in general.

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Castle Craigs

Our journey back to the trail began after some rest in Mt. Shasta with a degree of trepidation. This is of course, due to some fear related to the snow, knowing we were basically at the “Frontlines” of the trail and knowing we had a vertical climb ahead of us that would plop us RIGHT back in the snow. But after resting, and filling up on delicious food, we were SO entirely ready to continue north.

Castle Craigs State Park is a BEAUTIFUL sight to behold. The massive rock towers jutting into the sky frame waterfalls and flowers magnificently. I liked to imagine how many rock climbers enjoy the views from their ropes above; and how many day hikers liked to explore the waterfalls and easier trails. Unfortunately Castle Craigs is not pet friendly; however our bypass route was very similar as the PCT: Straight. Up. Hill. With fresh legs though, it really didn’t feel bad at all. In fact we made amazing milage on our first day, but wanted at least one snow free day and we found a beautiful camp site- one of my favorites so far. It had a rushing river flowing next to it, and a flat place for the tent with elm trees providing shelter.

Sleeping next to a rushing river truly helps lull the mind to sleep, and knowing snow was coming the next day had both Seth and I anxious, given our recent snow experience. We were grateful for this little spot on the trail. It was like a little pocket of peace.

Snow in the Craigs

The section between Castle Craigs and Highway Three was truly not nearly as bad as we feared. There were steep sections, and segments on the trail where we once again found ourselves using Ice Axes and microspikes. However, we had a few points labeled where we could exit the trail if needed. We also had a few national forest roads marked around higher peak elevations that we used to bypass some of the north facing trail portions; as these were especially dangerous.

Another of my favorite nights, was a night where we did have to snow camp (meaning there was not a dry area to put the tent, and we put it on top of snow). We once again camped near a water source and had the beautiful creek sounds to lull us to sleep. We also caught one of the most magnificent sunsets. The Castle Craigs and Mt Shasta were visible from our spot!

The Good Times

We have had just a couple animal encounters on our journey so far. I think having the dogs, plus being out when there’s still quite a bit of snow contributes to seeing less animals than I initially thought. However, I HAVE seen a rattlesnake on the trail and it quite frankly made me pee.

Typically on the trail, I will leave my pack with Chloe attached to it, and step off trail a small distance to pee. We haven’t seen very many people out here but I prefer to be safe than sorry! As I stepped off the trail I found a spot and did the good ole squat to do my business when I saw a snake slithering its way away from me. I nearly stepped on it! It was TINY absolutely teeny and in the WOODS which was shocking to me! I always imagine snakes on rocks or in warm places, never in holes in the woods. So I did not believe it was a rattlesnake at first, and just continued to do my business, staring at the snake. When it finally did rattle in its TEENY tiny way I realized exactly what it was and quickly (but also watchful of every step in case its mom was near by) scurried back onto the trail, yelling “IT’S A BABY RATTLESNAKE” to Seth. I’ve since learned that baby rattlesnakes are even MORE lethal due to their inability to control venom. Yikes. Who knew that Northern California has these beautiful elm forests that also house rattlesnakes.

Photo Credit to Seth Mayhew on this rattler (definitely not a baby) captured in Southern California.

We were very careful to watch for snakes after that experience; though we have not seen any since then!

Now Chloe Rue is especially careful for snakes when we are on the snow free parts of the trail- but when we are in the snow, I usually let her put her nose in holes and scurry around on her leash at a longer length. She just loves to explore the world SO MUCH and I feel it makes her hiking experience better. However, the squirrels, chipmunks, gophers and lizards we have encountered probably disagree whole heartedly and would beg me to keep her on a tight leash.

One day we were backpacking in an area that was still mostly snow covered. There were occasional rocks and gravel showing through the snow; which made Chloe’s animal explorations all the more interesting. As we were hiking along, she suddenly POUNCED. No pointing, no warning, she lept just like a cat would for a mouse. I looked at her to scold her when I saw quite the gruesome scene. It was a lizard, in her mouth. I will NEVER forget the face Chloe made in response to its wiggling and attempts to escape. I saw a very clear hole through the poor lizard’s entire body made by my doggo’s teeth and told her very sternly to leave it! Of course she obeyed immediately and looked up at me as if I had taken away her favorite piece of candy. Then she turned her nose up in the air and continued marching forward, beyond proud of her lizard kill. My dog is lethal and gruesome and yet somehow also the most sassy and cutest thing on planet earth. She’s also a lizard killer. Adding that to her resume: “Lizard Killer”. Honestly it was probably just as meaningful to her, as getting to the Oregon State line was for me.

What I’ve Learned So Far

We have met some AWESOME people this week. Most of whom were trail angels- giving us rides from Mt Shasta to the trail but also texting us, checking in to make sure we are safe and well taken care of. Hiking the trail is truly restoring my faith in humanity. People will see a couple with two dogs walking along, hoping to hitch a ride and will turn around and come back for us. They are willing to bring us wherever we need to go, just in exchange for stories! How amazing is that. We even get stories in return, which is even more rich. I have loved talking with every person I’ve met, dedicated angel or just an angel to us in a moment. The kindness of others has me flabbergasted.

I have also learned how important it is to get out of my mind and into some music while I’m hiking. Snow has been extremely mentally challenging for me. This is shocking because I normally go out of my way to savor time in the snow. However when it’s an obstacle, keeping us from stepping forward and hurting our milage and making us slip and fall and covering the trail so it disappears- well; it is a hearty obstacle. The psychological challenges we face from the snow remind me of some of the challenges I’ve been facing at work, and in other areas of life that I just haven’t addressed. Now I know in those times when it’s SO hard to face a challenge, those breaks with music can turn a mood around in a second. Allowing yourself to dance with trekking poles, or to sing with the trees- well that’s what is needed sometimes to face the hard stuff. And I’m excited to pull that into my future. Grey’s Anatomy had something figured out with those 30 second dance breaks after all.

Our journey will continue after resting in Etna, California where the food is rich, there is a sauna with a shower and the community is FULL of hiker friendly people. Seriously, the number of people who have waved to us excitedly here is mind blowing. Stay tuned for more wonderful tails with our pet friendly journey north on the Pacific Crest Trail! As always, Happy Tails and Happy Trails to you all.

Check Out Last Week’s Post right here:

Week One was a Thriller

Barking Embarkers