July 13, 2018 It Never Rains in California

Seems it never rains in southern California
Seems I’ve often heard that kind of talk before………

But what about northern California?  Lately, it just doesn’t rain there either, at least not much.  Mission has been thankful, actually, that he hasn’t had to battle severe rain storms on this trip. He navigated the John Muir Trail with nary even one of those famous Sierra afternoon thundershowers.  There was light drizzle at Warner Springs in the early days of his trek and then another hour of light rain along the Feather River but Mission would welcome some serious showers of blessing about now.  After leaving the beautiful Plumas and Lassen National Park Forests, Mission toiled through the dry and barren Hat Creek Rim region of northern California and is now hiking toward Interstate 5 and Mt. Shasta in relentless, humid, 100 + heat.

As promised, Mission did send a photo of the underwhelming Half Way PCT monument but neglected to get a photo with any hikers in it!  He says they forgot to get a group shot as they were all too excited about hitching rides into Chester for Pizza Factory’s $10 All A PCT Hiker Can Eat Pizza and Salad Bar Special.  Granny Hat is sure Mission got his money’s worth!

Granny Hat is happy to lead her followers on her Pictures Paint a 1000 Words Tour through Plumas and Lassen National Forests.  First, the Plumas flowers (Granny does love flowers)…….

 

The scenery has changed since Mission traveled north of Lake Tahoe, more open meadows, no more granite monoliths, and warmer weather.

 

Mission enjoyed his travels in the shadow of volcanic Mt. Lassen.  He described the sultry air at night as smelling like a “big fart” (excuse Granny’s french) and he also said that he fell asleep at night with the “hooting and stomping of deer” enjoying a sock hop 20 feet from his tent.  He was able to swim along the trail which he said “felt wonderful”. Pictured below are Terminal Geyser and some views of Mt. Lassen.

 

Mission said that much of the trail near Lassen had been burned out by a recent wild fire.  Granny Hat remembers some barren lava flow hills in the park  but the intense green of Lassen forests bear witness to the richness of volcanic soil.

While hiking along the Lassen trails, Mission picked up a beautiful hitch-hiker.  Benefits to wandering solo through the woods include chance meetings with delicate creatures that would make themselves scarce if a whole troop of boy scouts came tromping up the trail.

Also in the Lassen wilderness Mission came across Subway Cave and took a little detour to explore it.  He says he  has a new “mission” for the future, SPELUNKING.  Granny Hat is a bit worried about this idea and intends to remind mission that he wouldn’t be the first traveler under the burning sun to flee her scorching heat and plunge into the depths of the earth to hide.

Granny Hat just mailed off the last California Re-supply package to Seiad Valley Store near the Oregon Border.  Mission plans to mail his small jetboil stove home and “cold soak” all his meals from here on.  He will put dehydrated mixes and water into a small light-weight canister, let the “gruel” soak while hiking and then eat his meals cold, like baby food.  This sounds a little… no, A LOT unpleasant to Granny but it reduces weight, saves time and still gets those nutrients and calories where they need to be. He is looking forward to a few more meetings with family trail angels and happily anticipating the Cascades section of the PCT, completely new trails he has never traversed before.

Mission may have to wait for some Oregon rain but Granny would like to bet he will get some.  Meanwhile, may the showers of blessing keep falling on his head. And when the clouds gather may he hear laughter in the rain.

The next goal, distant Mt. Shasta seen here at sunset:

“He covers the sky with clouds;                                                                                                                           he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.”  Psalm 147:8