Week five; mile 396 to 516.
A month into hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and week five brings big milestones like hiking a marathon in a day and reaching the 500 mile marker!
The unexpected joy of stopping at a stream for water and having trail friends Pellegrino, Cowboy, Butter, and Mighty Mouse all randomly show up for the first time in days. Heading up tiny side quests like Mount Gleason to indulge my peakbagger ways. Stringing together three nero days as recovery days and enjoying towns without fully stopping. Getting a hitch in the back of a pick up truck and feeling like classic hiker trash. Going to a grocery store and getting a salad, an apple, a Dr. Pepper, and a pint of ice cream and eating it all in the parking lot like classic hiker trash.
Walking through Vasquez Rocks and wanting to climb absolutely everything. Spending a night at the Serenity Oasis in Agua Dulce and eating a million snow cones to stay cool. Getting a visit from Carl and Chelsea (and Pogo!), the strange delight of seeing Squamish friends in their home state. Spotting a baby bobcat and staring at each other through the brush, easily one of my top three wildlife encounters ever.
Walking into trail magic at a trailhead and getting to eat burgers and vegetables. Catching up with a group of friends and deciding to hike a marathon. Reaching the 500 mile marker and celebrating with Lexi and Stella.
Marveling at 500 miles hiked already - with 2,150 more miles of memories yet to come.