Pwhyte - Pacific Crest Trail Journal - 2011
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Nice & Steady
City: Cool
State: CA
Country: US
Begins: May 7, 2011
Direction: Northbound
Daily Summary
Date: Wed, Jul 20th, 2011
Start: Humbolt Summit
End: Mrytle Flat
Daily Distance: 20
Trip Distance: 288.9
Journal Stats
Entry Visits: 484
Journal Visits: 29,941
Guestbook Views: 1,585
Guestbook Entrys: 65
Fun on Frog Mountain
Watching the sun rise from our tent we were surprised to see a deer poke its head up from the ledge we were camped on. Deer was not afraid of us and came around the tent to a pee spot and was after the salt I guess. Then made a move for our clothing. Had to keep an eye on her because she was very determined to get to the clothes. All of a sudden she stopped and turned around. Nothing moving except the ears. We kept trying to see what she saw. Finally down in the meadow we saw something gold and low cross. Quite sure it was a mountain lion. Deer continued to follow with her ears until she felt comfortable it was gone and then headed in the opposite direction.
The day started out with great trail until we approached Frog Mountain where the snow began. When the trail ran out we traversed about a third of a mile up the side of Frog Mountain in the snow to the ridge top where we hoped to find the trail. Found the trail but were surprised to find more snow patches on this side. Lost the trail and spread out looking for it when Viper showed up again. Glad to see him because he has a GPS. Turns out Sandy spotted a diamond on the tree and we didn't have real problems navigating the snow after that. We were now starting our long descent down 3,700' towards Beldon. Met continuous thru hikers Dirtmonger and Rhino who we had met in Idylwild and they talked about their journey thru the Sierras. Quite an accomplishment for these young men. Warned us the trail was in very bad shape down to Beldon. BTY if you have not read Rhino's journal about his rescue of Swiss Miss on Mt. Whitney it is an amazing story and he is a true hero. After crossing countless blow downs we came to Chip Creek which was roaring. Viper was there already scoping out the best way to cross. He found the best spot where the creek split and we locked arms with Sandy in the middle and got safely across. It would have been very hard without him. That's what makes the PCT community so special. We camped together that night and watched this man eat the biggest bowl of pasta I have ever seen anyone consume on the trail. Should not have been so surprised as he ate 3 complete dinners the night before at Drakesbad. He has not had junk food since he was 12. Very, very interesting guy. Sleep came easy after a pretty exciting day on the PCT.
