The trail was very exposed in this section, and passed through a large burn area – where the poisonous Poodle Dog Bush likes to grow. I didn’t realize, but there was so much PDB that most other hikers were road walking around this section. Although, I was able to make it through without making contact with the bush, yusss!
During the last few miles of my day, the trail entered a shady wooded ridge with several water sources. That’s the PCT for you – barren desert in the morning and lush green forest in the evening!
I wasn’t quite sure where our Kiwi friends were, but I was hoping they would be at Sawmill CG, where we were planning to camp. Sure enough, when I arrived they and another hiker, Pit Stop, were sitting at one of the picnic tables, where I excitedly joined them.
Unfortunately, when Tom went to drive up to our selected campsite he found the gate closed. So when I got to camp I set up my tent in the wind, and threw my backpack inside to weigh it down so it didn’t blow away.
About an hour later, Bianca spotted Ogre coming over the ridge! Tom had gone to check the gate one more time, and miraculously it was open, so he was able to join us.
