NorCal, Bonus Episode: A Day in the Life

I’ve been advised to paint with broad strokes here. Day-to-day recaps aren’t always as interesting as the general impression of a thru-hike. After all, eventually you run out of different ways to say, “I woke up, packed up my gear, walked, and then set up camp.” That’s an average day on the PCT for ya.

But I also know that a lot of you are curious about the details of everyday trail life. This post is for you.

June 13, 2025 | PCT Mile 1191.8

5:00 AM

I wake to the sound of my alarm and deflate my sleeping pad. After changing into hiking clothes, I pack up the rest of my gear, stuff it into my pack, and take down my tent. I’ve set up in a nice spot next to a bridge. It’s 4.6 miles to the road crossing that leads into Sierra City.

5:34 AM

I start munching on a breakfast bar and hit the trail.

6:09 AM

I arrive at a trail junction; continuing straight on the PCT will take me to the road, while turning left will take me on a diagonal route straight into the town. Since it’s probably too early to get a hitch, I opt for the alternate route.

Since I was just in Truckee the day before, I won’t be spending much time in Sierra City. I’ll top off my resupply at the store, grab some breakfast, and then send a few items home at the post office.

7:02 AM

I walk into downtown Sierra City, though “downtown” may be a bit of an overstatement. There’s a small store and a post office, both of which primarily cater to hikers. Neither are open yet, but the public restrooms are. Just as well—I could use a toilet.

These restrooms have charging outlets and WiFi. What more could I want? One of them even has a shower, but after eyeing it for a few minutes and deciding that I don’t need a cold shower on a concrete floor that badly, I decide against it. Instead, I wipe myself down with a soapy towel and feel clean enough.

8:04 AM

The store’s open, so I head inside to resupply. I only need a couple days’ worth of food—a Knorr side, a box of mac and cheese, a bag of chips, some pop tarts, and a few other assorted items. At the picnic tables outside, I sort and repackage my spoils.

8:36 AM

I want some real food while I’m in town, so I walk across the street to the Red Moose Cafe. I ask to be seated next to a power outlet (request granted), for the WiFi password (there is none), and for a breakfast burrito. There are also milkshakes on the menu. I’m hopeful they’ll serve one up this early and I’m not disappointed.

10:03 AM

The post office is finally open, so I perform my final errand—shipping home my waterproof socks and microspikes. The trail is drier up ahead and I won’t be needing them.

Some packing, taping, and paying later, and I’ve shaved nearly a pound and a half off my pack weight.

As I leave, I run into Indy and Tarzan, who are coming into town. We chat for a few minutes.

10:21 AM

I start walking up the road back to trail. Before I can even stick my thumb out, I’m offered a ride by a local. It’s less than two miles to trail, so we’re there in a couple of minutes.

The climb out of Sierra City is notoriously long and difficult, so I’m not looking forward to the miles ahead. But the first bit of the climb is amid some well-shaded and well-graded switchbacks, so I don’t much mind them.

11:38 AM

I reach the top of the switchbacks, but not the top of the climb. From here, the trail is hot, exposed, windy, and overgrown. There’s a side trail to the top of Sierra Buttes. I hear it’s pretty cool, but I don’t have time for this side quest today.

1:23 PM

I hit the top of the climb and start descending. There are some dirt roads and trailheads in the area, so I run into a few day hikers.

2:42 PM

I arrive at Packsaddle Campground. On another day, another itinerary, I would have liked to stop here. It has spacious sites, picnic tables, and most importantly, a pit toilet. Instead, I stop for a late lunch.

Eating a bag of chips, a full-size Snickers bar, and a walking tamale, I look around. Even though it’s a Friday, only a couple of the sites are occupied. The weekenders probably won’t arrive for a few hours. It’s a shame—one of the best ways to get offered free food as a hiker is to simply walk past a busy campground.

2:58 PM

I use the pit toilet, grab my pack, and start the second climb of the day.

4:28 PM

At the top, I start to encounter larger and larger snowfields. They’re frustrating but nothing technical. I don’t really miss the spikes that I sent home earlier in the day.

5:09 PM

I walk into a clearing and find Burrito and Lena, whom I’d met briefly at the store that morning, setting up camp. They invite me to join them.

It’s tempting. They’re good company and it’s a nice spot. But I’ve planned to do another 8 miles and this is just a bit too short for me.

7:13 PM

The snow has lasted now, off and on, for about seven miles. But I hit my stride as I find dry ground on the final descent to camp.

8:02 PM

I arrive in the spot that I’d picked out the night before. This is a late arrival—I’m usually at camp an hour or two earlier. But my three-hour delay in Sierra City set me back in terms of time and I still wanted to make big miles.

I filter some water, start boiling some for my dinner, and begin to set up my tent.

8:13 PM

While setting up, I hear a noise in the bushes and realize there’s another hiker here. It’s Wiki, whom I haven’t seen since Bishop, and he’s cowboy camping. I bring my dinner over and we chat.

It’s a relief to have another hiker around. Earlier, Indy told me that a bear had come into his camp the night before. A little bit of company goes a long way in easing my mind.

9:02 PM

I put my earplugs in and turn in for the night. It’s a little later than usual, but it’s been a productive day.

All in all, about 30 miles and a resupply. In the morning, it’ll be time to do it all over again.

Until next time,

—switchbackjack