Sometime after dark last I heard a bear tearing up a log again. It was downhill from the campsite and did not come up, at least as far as I know.
I was awoken by the loud banging noise of a woodpecker on a big hollow tree.
Today’s hike is down off the shoulder Mt. McLaughlin and then up to Devil’s Peak and down to a stream on the other side of the pass. There are only a few spots to collect water along the way.
Not long after hiking I ran into a cute toad that blends in well with his surroundings.
The natural spring for my refill for the day was absolutely infested with mosquitoes. I used my warm gloves to keep my hands safe. Another hiker in tights (typical PCT hiking clothes) had a heck of a time getting and filtering water while constantly swatting mosquitoes.
The day warmed up quite a bit. Although I had filled up my water containers in anticipation of the long dry day, I was pleased to find a water cache and celebrated with a big cup of water.
On my way up to Devils Peak, I hiked through some burn areas
And looked back at where I spent the previous night: Mt McLaughlin
I also found the first snow of the trip
There were lots of flowers today
The Backside of the pass at Devils Peak was steep and snow covered
I decided to don my Microspikes
I hiked to the stream and drank my fill of clean fresh snowmelt water. My campsite had a view of the snow specked pass I had just descended
And here’s my tent inviting me to bed
Dale's Pacific Crest Trail hike -- 2019 