Saturday, July 1, 2023
Start: Ashland/I-5
End: Hyatt Lake Campground
Miles: 24.3
Elevation gain/loss: 4386’/3540′
I started out on the trail at 1:10pm after relatively straightforward flights and a shuttle from the airport to the trail by I-5. It was 95+ degrees actual and 100+ degrees in the sun; I was sweating heavily and water access was limited. Within the first hour or so, I met Quaking Leaf, Dig Gug, Vauter, and one other NOBO thru-hiker; we chatted for a few minutes and then I kept moving.
I got to my final destination by 9:10pm, totally exhausted and depleted after being awake for 20+ hours. I was glad to have a potable water spigot nearby and tried to ingest enough water to offset my dehydrated state. After setting up a cowboy camp, I was just falling asleep when I was woken up by mosquitoes. After 15 minutes of fighting the inevitable, I got out of bed and set up my tent.
Transcending Mountains 