Today was all about the wildflowers. You could not walk a single mile this day without constant beauties surrounding you, paired with stunning views! Like being back in the sierras or in the alps (I imagine).

We had some serious elevation gain and loss today (5000 up and down) so we didn’t make it as far as we had hoped, but we forgive ourselves for that at this point.

We ended the day at a tight squeeze campsite with a lovely gentleman called “Steely Dan”, named after the metal plate in his knee. Steely Dan has run tons of ultra marathons in his hay day, and in his 70s is now section hiking the PCT despite his knee surgery. Was a legend!

Today’s trek was 21 miles into Seiad Valley. Started off strong, early wake up in the dark, beautiful sunrise hiking and cool morning air. But then Tim’s stomach turned and it was a struggle getting through the miles.

By mile 14 we hit the infamous 6 mile road walk ? no shoulder, cars passing 40-60 mph next to us, exposed, heat of the day. But we finally made it IN THE NICK OF TIME unknowingly arriving just before the cafe closed! I got a vanilla malt and burger and it made the whole day better.

The store was also an amazing resupply for hikers, essentially only carrying things hikers would need for backpacking (no normal human food).

Seiad valley is known for its interest in becoming the 51st state and we experienced this at essentially every house we walked by, along with stories from the locals about the X X emblem. We heard the Xs represented Oregon and California, or that folks in this area were “double crossed” ha! Who knows.

Then we started the massive daunting climb out, making it 4 miles out of the valley and part way up the hill, on our last stretch to Oregon!