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PCT Day 29 – Eating Pizza at Silverwood Lake

Last updated Mar 24, 2020 | Published on May 21, 2017

We awoke early this morning. The hot springs are supposed to be a day use area and we had heard of rangers showing up at 6:00 am and handing out $175 tickets. I left camp at 6:00 am and I was the last of our group to leave. As I left I was able to get a good picture of the hot springs as no one was in the water yet.

The Hot Springs Minus Naked People

The moon was still visible on the horizon as I hiked out of the canyon where the hot springs were located. Pretty cool.

La Luna

After a couple of miles, we crossed a bridge spanning the river that was painted RAINBOW! How cool is that? Rainbow *is* my favorite color.

Rainbow Bridge!

Today I was hiking with a small group of folks which was unusual for me. I typically hike solo and then meet up with fellow hikers at breaks and at the end of the day. Anyway, I was mid-conversion with Halfway about some dumb thing or another when I was stung by a bee on the neck. He turned around to see me flailing about and screaming and just about falling off the edge of trail, not understanding what was wrong. When I stopped screaming I told him about the bee and he pulled the stinger out of my neck. I’m not allergic so after the initial shock wore off, I only had a small mark that looked like a mosquito bite and even that went away in a couple of hours.

The First Dam

Speaking of insect bites, I sat on something during our lunch break today and that’s hurting me a lot more. I’m not sure what got me but it’s in on the back of my upper thigh (ok – my butt) and it itches and hurts. I think it might have been some sort of biting ant. Blerg!

Elise, Halfway and Sevie taking a Break

We eventually hiked out of the Cold Creek Day Use Area and past an old dam. By this point we had gone 5 miles in 2 hours! My fastest day yet so far. I’m getting faster which is encouraging.

Another Dam

The Power Station Benefitting from the Dams

Throughout the afternoon we passed 2 more dams. Eventually we hiked up and over a berm and there was Silverwood Lake suddenly visible directly below us! The wind was whipping around us and I had a hard time waking in a straight line.

Elise and Sevie

Sevie, Halfway, Me and Katrine. It’s Windy!

A View of the Dam from the Other Side of the Lake

The Path Along the Lake

The remaining 3 miles followed the Lake and had fantastic views.  We hiked quickly and soon made it to the Cleghorn Picnic Area.  We were inspired to hike fast because word had it that you could order pizza to be delivered here.  And the rumor was true!  A flyer was weighed down to a picnic table with a rock and soon everyone had ordered a pizza.   To be clear we all ordered our own individual pizzas – mostly larges (although I ordered a Medium).

My first official 20 mile day on the PCT.  Yay!

From Left to Right: Sunshine, Bottom, Halfway, Katrine, Niels, Taco, Elise, Sevie

From Left to Right: MacGyver, Cougar Bait, Hot Coffee

PCT 2017 Stats

PCT Day 29 – Friday May 12
Deep Creek Hot Springs Mile 307.9 to Cleghorn Picnic Area Mile 328.1

PCT Miles Hiked Today: 20.2
Feet Ascended Today: 2457
Feet Descended Today: 2574
Current Elevation: 3365
Steps: 56407

For more on my experience hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, visit my Pacific Crest Trail 2017 page:

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Hi, I'm Unicorn!

I am an avid hiker, traveler, and adventurer who is on the mission to explore hiking trails around the world.  I’m also obsessed with National Parks, long-distance trails and other outdoorsy things.

I hope to share this knowledge with you and inspire you to explore new hiking trails too!

3 Comments

  1. John Nolte

    Hi Katy, I’ve been enjoying your blogs. When you come across one of the stores, maybe you should get some meat tenderizer. If you make a paste of it, it will dissolve bee/wasp stingers and also draw the venom out. Also, maybe get some benadryl in case of a reaction. Good hiking to you!!

    Reply
    • Unicorn

      Thanks John! I definitely have Benadryl in my first aid kit in case I or someone else gets stung. Hadn’t thought of tenderizer though!

      Reply
      • Brian Lotze

        As someone who got a lot of stings growing up, a little baking soda and water works as well to counter the acidic poison of the stings.

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