Day 51 – The Last Hurrah
Originally published on Mason Hikes the PCT 2017.
Mileage: 0
As much as I love sleep, I’m so used to walking up early on trail that I woke up at 6AM and had to wait an hour for breakfast. Apparently, I slept through an obnoxious guitar/screaming duet at midnight last night, which woke up just about everybody.
After a delicious and expensive breakfast, we hitched over to Mono Hot Springs to pick up my packages, resupply a bit in the store, and relax in the natural hot tubs. I got both a resupply I sent myself (thanks, past Mason!) and a surprise package from my parents (thanks, parents!), so I have a TON of food now. The vacuum-sealed cookies were a big hit amongst the other hikers, so thanks for the delicious treats, ma!
We met a few locals that pointed out the best hot springs on a map, so we went on a quick hike to get to Old Pedro, the best and hottest natural spring. There used to be bath houses on the springs, but all that is left are concrete basins, which are delightful for soaking in the warm water.
We alternated hot spring, cold river, hot spring, cold river for about an hour before heading back to the store for lunch.
Yes, I ate a delicious town burger and yes, it was amazing, but I can’t seem to get full anymore. The hiker hunger and rationing food has made me a ravenous, calorie-crushing monster that eats everything in sight, which is both inconvenient and expensive. After my burger, I had ice cream with apple pie, more ice cream, a breakfast burrito, some skittles, and some beers (hey, beer has calories too!).
I sat on the Wi-Fi for a bit and FaceTimed with my mom (dubbed Muffin Mom by Hach-P), posted some things on my blob, and caught up on messages that I’ve accrued while in the wilderness. The others had left to hitch back to VVR, but when I was ready to leave, I asked some fishermen for a ride, but they said they were going the other way. Instead, some JMT friends of ours offered to stuff me in the trunk, which I gladly accepted (it was an SUV). We got about halfway up and passed the fishermen I had asked for a ride, who not only were going to VVR, but were also carrying the other four members of the crew. I guess those fishermen just hate me. 🙄
We got back and did our laundry and showered, which is always such a pleasant experience because you’re finally clean. We sat down to our last dinner together and had a lovely time eating and reminiscing about our past adventures, made especially great by Hach-P buying us two milkshakes since he lost one of the “be ready by 5:30” contests. After fish and chips and corn, I needed most of a milkshake, two Snickers, and some Reese’s Cups to feel like I had eaten enough. What am I going to do when I get home? 😬
We spent the rest of the night hanging out and drinking the excessive amount of beers we had bought in Mono. I discovered that Dodger knew of the Dick Smith Challenge and knew the people that started it, which is pretty funny. We hung out at the picnic tables for a while before turning in for the night, anxiously awaiting our last breakfast as a team tomorrow. 😢 Sad.