Sonora Pass to South Lake Tahoe

DAY 84 (July 24) | Inspiration
To mile 1031
13.8 Miles

I walk towards the road at 9 a.m. to get a ride back to Sonora Pass. It is Sunday and I would expect some cars with day hikers heading to the trailhead but it is pretty quiet for the first 15 minutes and all cars leaving the campground are heading in the opposite direction.

I get a ride with a friendly family from the Bay area who goes fishing. Arriving at the pass they offer me Gatorade and cookies. While standing there at the pass trying to get ready, another car pulls into the parking lot. It is a dad and his daughter who want to go on a day hike. We talk for at least 30 minutes about the PCT and hiking in general before they put on their hiking shoes and start walking right from the pass.

Hiking feels a bit lonely today as I do not meet any familiar faces on the trail. It almost feels like I am walking in the wrong direction. A hiker coming from the opposite direction feels the same way though; he thinks more people are walking in the same direction as I do, saying that he had seen quite a few PCT-ers today already.

DAY 85 (July 25) | No motivation
To Sherald Lake
18.2 miles

Bad morning, no motivation to walk, thoughts about quitting. The battery of my phone is empty so I have no music, no navigation or mileage to see my progress and there is no people on the trail. Not a good combination :( 

I manage to do 10 miles by 12h30 and meet a nice couple at lunch. Furthermore, my battery is finally charged again, so my GPS is up and running again which significantly improves my mood.

The afternoon goes smoothly and I arrive at Shepard Lake at 7 pm.

I continue to have problems with my tent though: one of the zippers of the inner door (mosquito net) has not been working properly for a couple of weeks already and the second one does not close anymore either. Really annoying now that I am in mosquito country…. argh

Once I have set up my tent 2 section hikers arrive which camp at the other side of the lake.

DAY 86 (July 26)| Big miles
To mile 1070 (Lost Lakes)
20.7 miles

Break with 3 young section hikers who share their treats with me and give me some recommendations for camping and a nice site around Lake Tahoe.

10 miles by lunchtime.

I decided to walk another 3 miles at 6.30 pm; quite some uphill but a beautiful view towards a lake that was not visible from below.

I set up camp by the lake where some families are having a barbecue.

Felt save.

DAY 87 (july 27) | Surprise at Carson Pass
To mile 1087
17 miles

Michael from Reno “Your feet will be grateful although they are getting hot.”

Likely that snow in Washington will come late this year; hasn't been raining since May. usually a few thunderstorms in Sierra too at this time of the year.)

DAY 88 (july 28)
Easy hitch to South Lake Tahoe
3 miles

DAY 89 (July 39)
Zero-day at Karen & John's cabin
0 miles

Emerald Bay and hanging out at the Huckleberry House.