DAY 75, Fri.Jul.11 31.3 mi.day: TOTAL 1,475 miles

Finally got through to my baby - 18 miles out of McArthur-Burney Falls State Park. We talked for a long time catching up on all the news from home and from the trail. Then later, I met two hikers, Free and Easy Going, who later left a note on the trail telling me where they found COLD water - less than 1/2 mile east of the trial at a junction of two roads at Deadman Creek. It was sooooo good. There is nothing better than a drink of COLD water straight from a mountain stream. Hiked on to Ash Camp (Coordinates: N 40 deg.07.018', W 123 deg 03.669') where I bedded down for the night. Today has been a great day for walking.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 73, Weds., Jul 9, 34.5 mi.day: TOTAL 1412.2: DAY 74, Thurs. Jul 10, 32.5 mile day: TOTAL 1444.7

My coordinates Weds. night July 9 were N.40 deg. 45.322', W 121 deg.23.192' at mile 1389. I have tried to call Shirley several times but cell service is one of the challenges of this hike. I found a camp site (although not a real great spot), but fairly comfortable and dry, in a shallow depression near a dry-creek gully. I am still walking on soft, powdery terrain - it's like walking on a sandy beach where you have to lift up your foot before you can take a step. I'm more comfortable walking on snow than this stuff.

Thurs., July 10: Came into Burney Falls State Park where I picked up a mail drop from Shirley and was happy to get the food stuffs she had sent me. This park features the beautiful 129-foot Burney Falls. As so many other water falls in the Cascade mountain range, the water comes from underground springs which flow into a lake (Lake Britton) and then becomes a raging, majestic falls. I've seen and crossed so many lakes you would think they would become mundane - not so. Each one is so beautiful and unique. I am still enjoying the views. Hope to update this post with photos soon. No cell service.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 72: Tues.Jul.8: TOTAL MILES 1,377.7 as of 1:45pm CST

Spent last night (Monday July 7) at a campsite near Summit Lake junction. Coordinates: N40 deg 28.569', W 121 deg 22.759'. Called Shirley at 1:45p CA time today from Old Station, CA where I had a shower and washed out my hiking shirt. It is hot here and the terrain is totally different than what I have enjoyed for the past 7 weeks. I am hiking at lower elevations across swampy meadows and sandy (pain in the neck) ground. There are long, dry stretches through pine forests where the trees are all the same size - commercial-type, good for logging. The terrain is 'flat as a flitter.' I'll be hiking another 8 or 9 miles today before stopping for the evening. Will be getting into Burney Falls State Park tomorrow which is right on the trail.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DON'T FORGET TO SUPPORT THE HOME OF THE INNOCENTS

Just a reminder to everyone that I am walking to raise funds for the Home of the Innocents. As of July 7th, I have walked more than 1,300 miles in 70 days! Nothing would make me happier than to learn that donations and/or pledges are double or triple the number of miles I've covered.

Several of the children at the Home have been following my progress. Some of them have asked about the wildlife that I have seen. It makes me feel good to know that they are reading the blog and enjoying the photos.

I am grateful to have the strength and health to walk this land so freely when others cannot. Your support of the Home will help me to make this journey a real mission for children. Visit the web site at the Home http://www.homeoftheinnocents.org/ and make your pledge today. If you have already given and/or pledged - thank you! Greybeard

DAY 71 - HALF WAY THERE - TOTAL 1335.8

Monday, July 7th: Spent last night here at Chester. This morning I chowed down on a "maximum" breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs and all the fixings; picked up and enjoyed mail from my youngest grandchildren who live in northern Kentucky; then hiked out on my way "north" - making sure I was headed the right way - ha! I called Shirley from atop North Stover Mountain at mile 1342 - Coordinates: N40 deg.18.452', W121deg.13.849'.

Enjoy the photos - I thought they were very unusual and wanted to share them with you.

Keep hiking,

Greybeard

DAY 70: Sunday, July 6. FIRE DETOUR

Due to the raging forest fires, a portion of the trail is closed. We will be hitching a ride from Sierra City to Chester today - missing around 138 miles of the PCT. Will keep you posted.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 69. Sat.Jul.5: 4.2 miles - TOTAL 1197.6

Short hike into Sierra City, CA today. This is a small trail town with a store and post office. I made several calls home and talked with Shirley and my family. It was great to speak with them. We have heard that there are forest fires ahead and will be staying here to catch up on the news to determine if we can hike out tomorrow or if we have to detour around the fires. Will resupply here and get a motel room with the other guys - Slider and Thurst.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 68: July 4th - Friday: 31.3 miles TOTAL 1193.4

Coordinates: N 39 deg 33.369', W 120 deg 34.659': I started hiking in the dark this morning - BIG mistake! I missed the PCT at a junction and 2 hours later I realized I was heading north on a totally different trail - one that paralleled the PCT but with a mountain between the two. I had to decide whether to switch back to the beginning or use my GPS and go over the mountain. I chose to go over the mountain. It costs me a lot of time but I finally caught up with the guys who started out on Tuesday without me - around 6:30 pm. Oh well - a great 4th of July hiking the western U.S.A. This section is rich with views of massive volcanic rocks and beautiful mule-deer yellow flowers.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 67: Thurs., Jul.3: 32.9 miles: TOTAL 1162.1

A day that begins early - around 5:15 am. Coordinates: N 39 deg 21.403', W 120 deg 19.714': I hiked across many ski areas today - with considerable climbs and dry stretches across the top of many smooth areas known as the Sierra Crest. After hiking just over 32 miles, near Donner Pass, the trail crossed a highway and much to my surprise, just 2 minutes down the road was food - hamburgers and fries. It was a great ending to a long day - just what I needed!
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 66, Weds., Jul.2: 34.7 mile day: TOTAL 1129.2

Said good-bye to my baby around 5:50 a.m. Then headed out from Echo Lake trailhead. Coordinates: N 39 deg 05.467', W 120 deg 14.697'. Since I zeroed a second day in South Lake Tahoe, I am hiking alone today. The first three miles the trail followed around the blue, beautiful Echo Lake. The trees here have a distinctive feature - from the ground up to about 8 ft the tree trunks are white and the rest of the way they are covered with green lichen (moss-like substance). I believe the white area marks the snow depth on the trees. I'll post photos as soon as possible.

After leaving Echo Lake the trail traversed lake after lake for about 10 miles. Much of the next 20 miles the terrain was slightly rolling with moderate elevations. Around 7:30 pm I arrive at a saddle near a spring-fed gully and camp for the night. A good day completing 34.7 miles.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard