Day 17: Climb to the Cabin

Date: Fri 5/4

PCT Start Mile: 226.2

PCT End Mile: 246.5

PCT Mileage for Day: 20.3

Off-Trail Hike Mileage: 0

Total Mileage for Day: 20.3

Total PCT Mileage: 246.5

Total Overall Mileage: 259.54

The Highlights:elevation gain and the cabin

The hike today started with a climb out of the valley. For hours we weaved through the valley along, over, and above Mission Creek, the riparian corridor thick with vegetation and saturated in mud. We spent the morning tiptoeing around and over the muddy sections and stone-hopping or jumping across the many stream crossings.

Just under 10 miles in, we stopped under a giant shade tree to eat lunch. Guy 5, another hiker we’ve been leapfrogging with since day one, was also taking his break there. He offered me a quarter of an avocado he wasn’t going to eat and I added it to my tortilla of cheese and a meatstick. Excellent addition, I need to start packing out avocado.

It was after noon by the time the trail climbed out of the valley, the entire day would be climbing, with over 4900 ft of elevation gain.

At our last water stop for the day, a little over 12 miles in, we cameled up, drinking and filling our water bladders and bottles. The next reliable water source wouldn’t be for another 18 miles.

At the creek, we met a hiker named Strange Bird. I inadvertently struck up a very long-winded one-sided conversation when I said to him, “nice tail.” He literally had a tail (see photo above). This compliment launched him into the entire story of the tail and “furry people” (don’t ask), and far more details than I cared about.

Guy 5, Hot Mess, and I all listened to him, expressionless as the tale droned on. Maybe if we don’t prompt him with anymore questions he will stop talking. After telling us his trail name, and where he got it – which involved the fact that he had a row of short streamers running the length of each of his sleeves, matching the yellow of his long sleeve shirt – he asked what our names were.

I was the only one that didn’t have a trail name yet. He said not to worry, someone would definitely try to bestow me with one. I said someone already had tried very hard – on Day 3 – to a level of annoyance. “Oh yeah, he said. “I try not to talk to anyone until at least Warner Springs”, just over 100 miles in. Sitting here around mile 237, regretting having commented on his tail, I was thinking, yeah… maybe would have been a good idea to at least wait until mile 238 to strike up any conversations.

Unprompted, as he began hiking away, he turned around and launched into a story about how he’d hiked three miles in the wrong direction yesterday. Shocker. Finally he hiked on. No more commenting on people’s tails. Strange Bird indeed.

Leaving the creek, we were full up on water and the packs were heavy. Naturally the trail started with a mile or more of steep inclines, which I slogged up like a snail.

Eventually the trail leveled and the ascent was gradual, with several beautiful level sections through the forest and around the mountainsides. It was a beautiful, calm clear day, the air crisp as we climbed to over 8000 ft.

Our stopping point for the day was Coon Creek Cabin. While at one point in time you could reserve the cabin, it is now abandoned. I’m sure there are some critters in there though. My imagination is running wild with questions like… is it haunted? I’ll try not to think of that anymore now that it’s dark and we have our tent pitched right outside of it. The cabin area had several picnic tables and fire pits nearby as well as flat areas to camp. Any time we can eat our meals at a table is a bonus.