Day 1 - Grouse Gap Shelter. Mile 1708.2

My friend Aggie came to visit yesterday and we had a great time. There is nothing like friends from way back... in this case since the 80’s. After a great dinner of ribs we headed off to bed, mindful of an early start. This morning at 8 am, way earlier than I'm sure she wanted to be up and about, she drove me to the trailhead... PCT heading south. Bye Aggie!

It’s always a bit of a shock to put a full pack on for the first time in a season. In this case six days of food, 2.5 liters of water and gear. I think I was probably up at 28 pounds, which is a lot for me. But it doesn’t matter. Food and water are quickly consumed and by the end of today I’d eaten through one day of food. That much lighter!

Today was quite cool and while I did work up a sweat on the climb up from old highway 99, I was rarely hot.  The first bit took me up so I could get a clear view of Mt Shasta. This is looking from the north. When I finish this trip I’ll be seeing Shasta from the south, looking north. Imagine that. 

The trail traversed hills just above roads most of the day, forest service roads mostly. It is odd to be walking along in what looks like the wilderness and see cars blasting by below. It isn’t unpleasant, just strange. 

While I’m early for tons of wild flowers there were a few. 

I finally walked long enough to get 10.5 miles in and when I reached Grouse Gap, about 3 pm, I decided to head downhill off the trail to an old campground with an old shelter. Cleverly called Grouse Gap Shelter. I’m glad I did as the afternoon was getting windy and colder, with ominous clouds covering the sun. I have myself tucked in here as well as possible, mostly out of the wind.

When I checked the long term weather forecast before I left it was for clear and sunny skies, but it sure doesn’t look that way right now. Glad to be tucked into bed and warm. Hope this is just a fluke and tomorrow will be warmer.