PCT 68 – Buck’s Lake Wilderness

Daily miles : 19
Total miles : 1280

Great start to the day with a pancake,  egg,  peaches and bacon breakfast.   The William’s had breakfast going by 7am for all of us hikers (there were 16 total that stayed at their place last night).  They had coffee,  tea and OJ out as well.   We got a ride back to the trail,  where we had left off, shortly after 8am from Terry and bid our farewells.   What a true treat it was to stay with them.

We had just over 5 miles of hiking to the other road out of Buck’s Lake.   At that other road,  Copper tone was doing trail magic and we enjoyed a pear as well as the classic Copper tone root beer floats that we have been enjoying so much on the trail.   What a morning!

The hike up from Buck’s Summit was a long up,  but the trail was quite gradual and made for easy walking.   We saw a couple out for a weekend trip with their dog (an Akida) as well as a few day hikers.   We only saw 6 or so other thru hikers all day.   Many of the hikers we saw at the William’s place probably got back on at Buck’s Summit at the start of the day.

Much of the first part of the day was spent hiking in the woods.   Shortly after lunch we started to get some views off to the East of some mountain lakes and other ridglines in the near distance.   At the end of the,  we were walking through an area that was probably burned clean or clear cut some years ago.   The land is largely manzanita and other bushes at this point.   Still pretty in its own way.

We are camped in a tiny camp spot.   It is just bug enough for one tent,  with Sweetpea’s hammock hanging slightly over Mountain Man’s tent.   Beardoh is camped on some sloping ground  a few feet down slope.   Our spot is set tightly within a small switchback near the top of the decent into Belden.   As we write this,  we have a view of the near full moon to one side and pink skies of the sun set to the other side.