The (Not) NorCal Blues

After leaving the Sierra Nevada mountains, it is known that many thru hikers struggle with the “NorCal Blues.” A time on trail when you still have months of hiking to go, where you have left the most beautiful mountains and entered the green tunnel, where the mental game to keep putting one foot in front of the other gets harder with every step. On day 99 of my thru hike, I sat at camp discussing with two other hikers what our favorite parts of trail have been. And I was surprised to find myself saying that NorCal had been my favorite so far. I think I have the opposite of the NorCal blues. 

Stunning views in NorCal

Paws, Monochrome, and I left our hotel at Lake Tahoe, planning on connecting bike paths, trails, and roads, to walk to Truckee. I was excited about getting to see Lake Tahoe and decided to take this route instead of the red line PCT. We walked along the shore of the lake, enjoying all the views along the way.

Walking along Lake Tahoe

That night at a campground, we all cowboy camped (slept without a tent) side by side. I woke up at 10pm to the sound of rustling around me, looked up, and saw a bear 10 feet away from me standing on a tree. I quickly woke Paws and Monochrome up and then promptly screamed at the top of my lungs at the bear, scaring it away. It scampered off, but none of us slept well for the rest of the night.

The next two days, we continued to follow the shore of Lake Tahoe and make our way to Truckee. A quick resupply, and I was back on trail. The next couple of days were amazing, walking through green forests of NorCal. I was so excited to get to Sierra City, where my dad was visiting me.

As I walked towards to road, I saw my Dad sitting on a rock waiting for me. I headed towards him, giving him a huge hug. I hadn’t seen him since December. We spent the afternoon hanging out in Sierra City, and he got to meet Paws and Monochrome which was so fun for me to share part of my trail life with my dad.

The next day he hiked with us for the first 12 miles out of Sierra City. We shared some amazing conversations and time on trail. This will definitely be one of the days on trail that I will remember forever.

Hiking with my dad was a highlight of my time on trail so far

After parting ways with my dad, the following day I hiked 28 miles, a little sneak peak into the future of the rest of my hike. I felt strong, capable, and excited to crush some big mile days.

But before it was time to crush miles, Monochrome’s friend was coming to visit. I decided to slow down for a couple days to hang out with them, because I have been really enjoying spending time with Paws and Monochrome. The hike into Beldon was challenging for me. My feet have been hurting because my shoes are getting old, and my toes cramped up with every step into town. But with the promise of a shower and laundry, I pushed on and finally made it.

As I climbed back out of Beldon, I crossed over from the Sierra Nevada mountains to the Cascade mountains, which we would walk along until Canada. These little milestones always lift the spirit. 

Paws and Mr. Quack entering the Cascades

The Dixie fire burned over 900,000 acres in 2022, and the PCT goes through much of that area. So we spent multiple days walking through an ash field of dead trees. With every step, fine pieces of ash are thrown into the air, covering everything in soot. There are also lots of trees down in this area, and climbing over them slows me down and covers me in even more ash. I have never been so dirty in my entire life, and although I tried to embrace it, the idea of laundry and a shower has never been so exciting. 

Lots of down trees to climb over in the burn scar

Slowing down for a couple days was everything I wanted and needed. Slowing down on trail is so important to me, it gives me time to really live in the present moment. As I walked through 60 miles of the Dixie fire burn zone, the contrast of dead trees surrounding me to the live ones from weeks prior forced me to reflect on my PCT journey so far. Fully living in the moment, enjoying the time with the people around me, being able to continue my journey of finding my truest self, and taking it one mile at a time are some of the priorities I have continued to walk towards.

I soon reached the halfway marker, mile 1325 on day 101 of my PCT thru hike. Being able to get to this marker with Paws and Monochrome, who I started hiking with at mile 77 was a truly special moment. Now, with every step north I take, I will be closer to Canada than Mexico.

Paws, Monochrome, and I at the halfway marker

I am so excited to continue the last 300 miles of NorCal, and I am sure that I will not have to experience the NorCal blues.