Exploring Northern CA - Days 57 - 63

Day 57

Mile 1424.7 to mile 1409.7 ~ 15 Miles

Today I got bit by a tick! This was a little startling because I have heard horror stories about hikers getting Lyme disease from ticks. Sometimes you can’t feel the bite but luckily I felt this sharp pain of the bite on my lower leg. I looked down and realized it was a tick. I pulled over and took out some antiseptic and tweezers. I pulled the pick out and I’m 99.9% sure I got the whole thing. So I’ll keep an eye on it in the upcoming days to make sure its ok.

I got to stop off on a side trail that took me to Burney Falls. This was the most beautiful and spectacular waterfall I have ever seen. There is water falling from all over the place and there was a small rainbow reflecting off the crashing water below. I stood in awe for about 15 minutes and headed back to the trail.

Later I got to a ranch call Burney Mountain Guest Ranch. This place was a hikers Paradise. Linda, the owner of the ranch greeted me with some homemade orange sherbet ice cream. I was able to eat lunch and dinner, take a shower, do laundry and get some extra food for the next few days. It was a lovely spot to stop for a bit.

Day 58

Mile 1409.7 to mile 1384.7 ~ 25 Miles

Today was the day of wildlife! The first 5 miles of the day I was swarmed by mosquitoes. Despite my efforts of wearing a head net and rain jacket I got bitten to shreds. I have 20-30 bites all over that I'm sure will be so itchy the next couple days.

I also saw 2 rattlesnakes which makes 3 during the 5 days of hiking in Northern California. I saw 2 during the whole 700 miles of desert. Both of the rattlers that I saw today gave me plenty of warning and I was able to enjoy them slither off. I always love seeing these snakes but the next few miles I’m always on high alert with every step I take.

One of the other hikers I’ve been with also saw a bear today! I’m hopeful I can get to see one eventually.

Day 59

Mile 1384.7 to mile 1367.2 ~ 17.5 Miles

There is a section of the trail that goes through the Lassen National Park. The importance of this is that in this park I need to carry a bear canister if I want to sleep in the park. I do not have my bear canister with me because I sent it to Lake Tahoe for the Sierras. So this means I need to walk all the way through the 20 miles park in one day. So because of this I had to cut the day short and camp just outside the parks boundaries.

Because of this short day I did get to stop by a 3000ft long cave. I thought it would be fun and interesting but it was very boring. It was like walking though a long dark tunnel in which you could not see ANYTHING.

Overall it was a good day and I am starting to feel really good physically. My knee feels great and my shin splints are finally going away!!!

Day 60

Mile 1367.2 to mile 1340.7 ~ 26.5 Miles

Today I got to walk through Lassen National Park today. There were some parts that were really beautiful! I was kind of hoping to see a bear because I heard that there were a few in the park. I didn’t get lucky.

Tonight at camp 8-Ball and I made our first campfire on trail. Not sure if we were allowed to but oh well. It was so nice to sit around a warm campfire and enjoy the end of a great day!

Day 61

Mile 1340.7 to Chester ~ 9.4 Miles

Today I had an easy morning stroll into town. I had walked the 9 or so miles to the road and was hitching by 10am. A man named Gene picked me up in a small white suv and took me into town! He was a really sweet older man who told me stories about him and his wife hiking together.

While in town myself and 6 other hikers stayed at a church that allows hikers to camp in the back grass. First we went to a motel and asked for the rates and how many people we could keep in one room. The rude gentleman behind the counter said if we are hikers it’s only 2 to a room... pretty sure that’s discrimination but whatever. The owners of the church were so welcoming and supportive. They offered us food and drinks and visited with us. I am so glad we ended up staying at the church!

Day 62

Chester to Mile 1318.0 ~ 13.3 Miles

After a few drinks last night with the group I was feeling a little groggy this morning. I took my time getting out of my tent and enjoyed the warm sun coming through my tent. After I mustered up the energy I headed to breakfast and enjoyed some french toast and eggs. Prince, who is from London, told me they call french toast eggy bread back home. I love it and am going to start calling it that from now on! After breakfast I hit the grocery store I did my resupply.

A few days ago I got a Facebook message from my Uncle Chris who lives in Texas. He asked if I was going to be near Chester on Sunday because he had to drive through the area for business. Ummm yeah!!! It worked out so perfectly that I happened to be in the town that he was going to drive right through! He took me out to lunch and we got to catch up on life and I got to tell him about my hike so far. It was so much fun and I was so happy to be able to hangout with my Uncle!

After lunch he drove myself and 8-Ball back to the trailhead. We started hiking at about 2:30 and were able to get some good miles in before it got dark.

Day 63

Mile 1318.0 to Belden ~ 31.3 Miles

I have been reflecting on how amazing it is to just be able to think. Yes I know it seems simple, but with everything grabbing our attention in everyday life it’s not simple. In the mornings I have nothing taking my attention, I’m just walking. I listen to my footsteps below, my trekking poles on either side of me striking the surface, and my breath. During this time I let my mind wonder. I listen to my body and what it is trying to tell me. I think about my dreams the night before, I think about my future, my past, my family and friends. I think about what I want for lunch and maybe when my next poop break will be. It’s literally anything and everything. I am really thankful for this time and I really hope I can bring this mentality home with me.

Towards the end of my day my RIGHT shin started to bother me... just a few days after my left shin felt back to normal. I’m afraid it’s the same issue, shin splints. I’m hopeful that tomorrow I will wake up and it will feel better but I’m not holding my breath.