PCT Day 40 Bears in the Desert

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bears in the desert

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26th May 2015

Mileage 20.6

25% Camp (665.1) to Bush Camp (685.7)

Bears in the Desert

I drank the last of my water overnight and had a little over 4 miles to make it to Spanish Needle Creek. It made for a cool shady place for breakfast. Several other hikers later joined me in eating and filling water bottles. A little time later I made the long but steady climb over yet another desert mountain and made the long descent to the water below.

On route a Fox joined me on the trail. Obvious to my presence it hiked the trail, stopping regularly to urinate on bushes in the same way a dog would do. I tried to approach closer to him. He stopped, urinated on a bush then slipped off the side of the trail. I was unable to hear or see him again.

I made an error in judgement today. I misread the water report. This could have been a serious problem in another circumstance but in this case I made a several mile detour to a creepy looking campground seeking a mysterious water faucet.

It existed but it was a long, unnecessary detour. I did wash myself, my clothes and cooked a large meal. I was starving hungry. There was nobody at Chimney Creek Campground. The error in judgement I made to come here was repeated by 3 more hikers, they too did not read the water report correctly. The reality was there was water in a dry creek on the trail, it was 10 seconds walk from the trail crossing.

While at the campground another hiker, now called Bearly, sighted a Bear. It was a Cinnamon coloured Black Bear, large and healthy. He sighted it just 1 mile from Spannish Needle Creek. It was walking along the PCT on route to the water. Bearly took his camera, took some photos them scared the Bear away. A Bear in the desert. Who would have thought it.

I continued another couple of hours uphill until I found a secluded flat section to pitch my tent. I had expansive views of several valleys and a great sunset.

10am
A Fox ising the trail

Next : Day 41 Californian Deserts

The Best information about the Pacific Crest Trail:
Complete Guide to the Pacific Crest Trail
Resupply Guide for the PCT
PCT Gear List

PCT Gear Review

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About the Author:
Brad is an Australian who has completed the hiking Triple Crown after he hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail and Appalachian Trail. He has hiked on every continent (except Antarctica) and has cycled from Alaska to Ecuador. He is an expert on outdoor gear currently living in Chile.

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6 thoughts on “PCT Day 40 Bears in the Desert”

  1. It’s hard to imagine how a bear could survive in the desert, isn’t it? Glad to be getting some updates on your adventures again!

    Reply
    • I had heard of bears in this area in previous years but until now I don’t think anybody had seen them here this year

      Reply

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