July 3, 2017
VVR to Fish Creek, past Goodale Pass
Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hike: Day 60
Started the day with a pile of bacon and hot-chocolate-maple-coconut-oatmeal. Damn I know how to cook a trail meal. Finishing the day with Pad Thai and two Founder’s All Day IPAs. The pass today (Goodale) was long and exhausting and it’s insanely mosquitoey out here, but what I care about is that we’re together, having fun (it’s like a giant obstacle course!), and making progress!
We don’t know yet if the Red’s Meadow bus is operating or if Red’s Meadow is even open, so even if we got there tomorrow I’m not sure how we’d get to Mammoth. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Met Gabe this morning, talked to him about Goodale Pass. He didn’t know anything about it. On the Goodale Pass trail we had some pretty big creek crossings and I was really proud of myself for just taking them on. I do think shortening trekking poles helps.
The view from the top of Goodale had 3 or 4 different mountain range sections in it and was BEAUTIFUL! We still haven’t had service, and I’m hoping I can get to Mammoth before my parents start to worry.
We’re camping RIGHT next to Fish Creek and also right next to the trail. It was one of the few spots that wasn’t sopping wet or covered in snow, and the only spot of those that was flat.
We only did about 14 miles today according to Alex, and are 17 from Red’s Meadow. I’m getting better at snow slides, but my knee is still bugging me. Other than that I’m looking forward to food and beer in Mammoth! And I want to send more letters and packages! Oh, and we’re 1/3 done with he trail! Cheers!
Alex at the top of Gooddale Pass looking south toward the ascent
Cedar on top of Gooddale Pass looking toward the descent