August 3 - Shortcut to Trout Lake
I knew I had a couple of packages waiting for me at the post office at Trout Lake. What I didn't anticipate was that I wouldn't get there before Friday at 4pm without a superhuman effort. Something I wasn't prepared to do. See, today was Thursday, and I could not possibly get to the normal PCT pick up point 43 miles away before 6:00 on Friday. I just can't walk that fast. So I started asking southbounders about other ways to get there earlier. A couple hikers mentioned that the road from Horse Crest Campground - 13 miles from my Thursday morning starting point - connected straight to the road into Trout Lake although it was fifteen miles of road walk. That was longer than the road walk from the northern connection to the PCT into Trout Lake, but it also cut out one and one half days and 30 miles of forest walk in what has been described as mosquito hell. I decided to try to hitch a ride.
Karla and Mike were the first to pick me up. They were a fun loving couple playing a little hooky so they could enjoy a little together time on Goose Lake, about six miles down the road. They made room in their standard cab Chevy, which was so high off the ground I could have used a ladder to get in. After explaining what I was doing, Karla and Mike dropped me off at Goose Lake. I helped unload the raft and get them going on their adventure. Karla gave me an awesome tuna sandwich and an ice cold can of peaches for the road. I started walking. Just eight miles to go.
Several cars passed and I made it about three miles before Susie and Earl, a retired couple from Oregon, passed me by, and then backed up to see what I needed. I was so happy to see those backup lights! I explained and told a few stories as Earl drove me straight to the post office. With fifteen minutes to spare I was able to get my packages!
These are two awesome couples that took a chance on an old man walking the back roads with a backpack. Thank you both for the help!
I spent the rest of the day at the store re packing for the next leg and washing clothes. Bev, the store owner, makes hikers feel right at home with access to the back rooms and washing facilities.
Later I had a burger with other hikers at the local cafe. A few of us were headed to the county park to camp for the night, so a local with a guitar joined us to keep us company.
Karla and Mike
Susie and Earl.
Set up
At the park. Sun, Rogue, and the guitar player somewhere in the background.
Hikingsolo (aka Allen)
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