Our Hike is a Flop

cbabiarz1
Jun 6, 2023
3 min read

A Flip Flop to be exact. This is what hikers call a thru hike in which they cover the trail segments out of order. The approach has traditionally been to go "Nobo" or "Sobo." That is, to hike in one direction going either north or south from end to end. The motivation for a flip flop is often weather and trail conditions, which is exactly the case with us this year.

In the 2022/2023 winter the Sierras were socked with a record amount of the white stuff. As a result, the PCT is covered by a continuous tract of snow extending for hundreds of miles through the high mountains. This brings several difficulties.

As the snow melts, it forms into a gridwork of valleys that look like the snow was scooped out by a car-tire sized mellon baller. As the snow warms in the afternoon it softens and traction becomes tough as the ground slides with each step.

Sun cups in Lassen Volcanic NP

High mountain creeks become engorged as the rapid snowmelt raises the level high above the banks. Crossings deeper than knee high are treacherous as the current knocks you off balance. People have fallen in and died in past years in the PCT.

Hat Creek north of Lassen Volcanic NP. Thankfully we didn't have to ford this one.

Kings Creek in Lassen Bcanic NP. Thank God for that log

Steep mountain passes require ice axes and sometimes crampins to safely climb, as the best way up is often straight up a 40 deg slope that is icy in the morning and soft by noon.

Given these conditions, we opted to flip up to Chester, CA and bypass the worst of the snow. We'll hike to the Canadian border then return to Chester and finish our hike south through the Sierras. You'll notice I said "the worst of the snow," as long sections of snow remain in NorCal. These are generally less consequential in terms of slope and the river crossings are less severe.

Our plan was to take a series of 5 busses over 2 days to get from Inyokern to Chester. As we were hitching from Walker Pass to Ridgecrest to get a mail drop, something unexpected happened. We had taken to 2 hitches to get from Walker Pass to 395 and were trying for a third to get us through the last leg. As we stuck our thumbs out a truck passed us and stopped. The conversation went something like this.

"Where you guys trying to get to?"

"Ridgecrest to get a mail drop, then to the bus stop to get a bus to Chester."

"I'm going to Oregon. You guys want a ride all the way?"

"Uh.... Yeah! That would be great!"

We were dumbfounded. We accidentally secured a ride for what would have been 450 miles on the bus. The rest of the day we spent with John and his lovely dog Zoey zipping north on 395 along the Eastern side of the Sierras. We shared lots of good conversation and some good food along the way. Thanks again, John, for the amazing trail magic!