Outdoor Adventures with Ancient Brit
PCT 2002 - July 8th
Day 83: Monday 8th July Three Lakes – Myrtle Flat Camp
In the morning a Chipmunk came around my tent expecting to be fed. No chance! It
obviously didn’t recognise the difference between a thru-hiker and a car-camper.
Today the route dropped down 4,000ft to cross the North Fork, Feather River at
Belden, before ascending 4000ft up the other side of the canyon. The descent was mainly
through pre-1950 clear-cut, which had been taken over by chaparral and further
damaged by fire. The guidebook writers and environmentalists decry this degradation of
the natural woodland. It does leave the hiker exposed to the hot sun, but without these
areas the PCT in Northern California would be almost solely in viewless forest, which
could get rather boring. It took me three hours to get to Belden Town, which was a small
dying resort. At one time Highway 70 had come past the store, but now it was on the
other side of the River and the railroad now just carried freight and not passengers. The
store used to contain the Post Office, but now that had also moved across the river. I was
at the store five minutes before the girls running it came in to serve me. When I asked
if the Restaurant, which was part of the store, would open today I was told, “They weren’
t sure”. All this at the height of the tourist season! I picked up my package from the
store, bought some extra food and sorted out my pack. While I was doing this “Mags”
turned up and also “Purboy”, who had been to the Post Office and found that his package
had not yet arrived. He had posted his last package from Sierra City, but had not
realised that the Post Office was closed for 4 days following Independence Day. He
decided to go into Quincy for a couple of days to await his supplies in comfort. Todd and
Randy had been at the Post Office early and were now well on their way.
I walked down the main road to the Post Office to post home some films and my
journal. There were photographs of the floods of 1997. On 1st January 1997 torrential
warm rain (caused by El Ninjo) had melted the snow up in the mountains and caused
catastrophic floods in Belden Valley and many other valleys in Northern California.
The PCT from Belden was temporarily diverted away from Chips Creek Canyon
because of washouts on the trail, but Tim had come down the official trail and suggested
it was the best route. The trail crossed Indian Creek before starting the long climb up
Chips Creek. The climb was extremely hot and there was no shade because of a fire
about 5 years ago. I stopped for a break when I found some shade, but it was still over
100ºF, and stripped off again to let my sweaty clothes dry. I had hoped to spend the night
in Williams Cabin, but it was in the area of fire damage and since I couldn’t find it I
assume it had been burnt down. I eventually camped at Myrtle Flat Camp, a grand name
for a flattish area with a fire-ring and a few logs for seating, and a small spring. I think I
had got myself a little dehydrated as I managed a couple of litres of drinks and was still
in need of more. I managed to put my pan on the stove, but forgot to put in any water! It
was a good job I was carrying a titanium pan otherwise it would have been completely
ruined.
Day 83: 15.3 miles 6.52 hours Camp: Myrtle Flat Camp
In the morning a Chipmunk came around my tent expecting to be fed. No chance! It
obviously didn’t recognise the difference between a thru-hiker and a car-camper.
Today the route dropped down 4,000ft to cross the North Fork, Feather River at
Belden, before ascending 4000ft up the other side of the canyon. The descent was mainly
through pre-1950 clear-cut, which had been taken over by chaparral and further
damaged by fire. The guidebook writers and environmentalists decry this degradation of
the natural woodland. It does leave the hiker exposed to the hot sun, but without these
areas the PCT in Northern California would be almost solely in viewless forest, which
could get rather boring. It took me three hours to get to Belden Town, which was a small
dying resort. At one time Highway 70 had come past the store, but now it was on the
other side of the River and the railroad now just carried freight and not passengers. The
store used to contain the Post Office, but now that had also moved across the river. I was
at the store five minutes before the girls running it came in to serve me. When I asked
if the Restaurant, which was part of the store, would open today I was told, “They weren’
t sure”. All this at the height of the tourist season! I picked up my package from the
store, bought some extra food and sorted out my pack. While I was doing this “Mags”
turned up and also “Purboy”, who had been to the Post Office and found that his package
had not yet arrived. He had posted his last package from Sierra City, but had not
realised that the Post Office was closed for 4 days following Independence Day. He
decided to go into Quincy for a couple of days to await his supplies in comfort. Todd and
Randy had been at the Post Office early and were now well on their way.
I walked down the main road to the Post Office to post home some films and my
journal. There were photographs of the floods of 1997. On 1st January 1997 torrential
warm rain (caused by El Ninjo) had melted the snow up in the mountains and caused
catastrophic floods in Belden Valley and many other valleys in Northern California.
The PCT from Belden was temporarily diverted away from Chips Creek Canyon
because of washouts on the trail, but Tim had come down the official trail and suggested
it was the best route. The trail crossed Indian Creek before starting the long climb up
Chips Creek. The climb was extremely hot and there was no shade because of a fire
about 5 years ago. I stopped for a break when I found some shade, but it was still over
100ºF, and stripped off again to let my sweaty clothes dry. I had hoped to spend the night
in Williams Cabin, but it was in the area of fire damage and since I couldn’t find it I
assume it had been burnt down. I eventually camped at Myrtle Flat Camp, a grand name
for a flattish area with a fire-ring and a few logs for seating, and a small spring. I think I
had got myself a little dehydrated as I managed a couple of litres of drinks and was still
in need of more. I managed to put my pan on the stove, but forgot to put in any water! It
was a good job I was carrying a titanium pan otherwise it would have been completely
ruined.
Day 83: 15.3 miles 6.52 hours Camp: Myrtle Flat Camp
Tors on Peak 6295
Desert Lily
Belden Store
North Fork
Feather River
Feather River
Indian Creek
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