Outdoor Adventures with Ancient Brit
PCT 2002 - August 18th
Day 117: Sunday 18th August Bobby Lake – NE of Cougar Flat
The trail continued through mature woodland with occasional, mainly shallow lakes. I
met several riders, the first of whom was trailing a pack-mule. The mule took offence on
seeing me, shied away and escaped from its owner. For the two hours, between Charlton
Lake and Taylor Lake, I was walking through an area damaged by a recent (probably two
years ago) large fire. It wasn’t particularly interesting and I kept going, with only short
breaks, until I reached Irish Lake at 1.30pm. I stopped here for lunch and a swim at a
little secluded sandy beach on the north shore. Goldeneye (ducks) were swimming on the
lake. I was surprised how few ducks I had seen on this trip, but I suppose most of them
would be breeding further north. As in Europe, Mallard were the most common duck and
the one I had seen most often. Eventually I was driven away by the appearance of
mosquitoes. Up here they were more aggressive than in California and even bit through
my clothing.
The trail continued past small lakes and in late afternoon I stopped for a quick swim
at Storm Lake, before putting on long trousers and long sleeves to help protect against
the mosquitoes.
Because of the return of the mosquitoes I had intended to camp away from water, but
I ended camping by an unnamed lake near Cougar Flat. As soon as I set up camp the
mosquitoes gathered and I had to shut myself up in the tent.
Day 117: 19.6 miles 8.43 hours Camp: NE of Cougar Flat
The trail continued through mature woodland with occasional, mainly shallow lakes. I
met several riders, the first of whom was trailing a pack-mule. The mule took offence on
seeing me, shied away and escaped from its owner. For the two hours, between Charlton
Lake and Taylor Lake, I was walking through an area damaged by a recent (probably two
years ago) large fire. It wasn’t particularly interesting and I kept going, with only short
breaks, until I reached Irish Lake at 1.30pm. I stopped here for lunch and a swim at a
little secluded sandy beach on the north shore. Goldeneye (ducks) were swimming on the
lake. I was surprised how few ducks I had seen on this trip, but I suppose most of them
would be breeding further north. As in Europe, Mallard were the most common duck and
the one I had seen most often. Eventually I was driven away by the appearance of
mosquitoes. Up here they were more aggressive than in California and even bit through
my clothing.
The trail continued past small lakes and in late afternoon I stopped for a quick swim
at Storm Lake, before putting on long trousers and long sleeves to help protect against
the mosquitoes.
Because of the return of the mosquitoes I had intended to camp away from water, but
I ended camping by an unnamed lake near Cougar Flat. As soon as I set up camp the
mosquitoes gathered and I had to shut myself up in the tent.
Day 117: 19.6 miles 8.43 hours Camp: NE of Cougar Flat
Bobby Lake at dawn
The Twins and
Gerdine Butte from
Charlton Lake
Gerdine Butte from
Charlton Lake
Fire damage on
Charlton Butte
Charlton Butte
Brahma Lake
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