Friday July 3, 19.0mi/30.6kmMeadow by South Russian Creek (192.8/5320ft) to Lady Gulch trail jct (211.8/6150ft) (CA)Since I was camped at the base of the climb, I got warmed up quickly on all the switchbacks.The trail climbed up 2000ft first to Russian Lake, and then Waterdog Lake, which was still very calm at 9am.
I meandered in an out of the Russian Wilderness as I traversed the ridge above the lakes. In Russian Wilderness, trail hikes you!
At the end of the ridge was Siphon Lake, and I took a nice long Nutella break there.
The trail had turned into a two-track when it reached an open meadow with views to the next ridge.
The junction with the PCT was a little haphazardly signed.
I turned off onto the Trail Creek trail, which dropped steeply down 2000ft to a campground. With picnic tables! Time for lunch.
I also got too excited about the trash cans. I can lighten my pack and get rid of all the food wrappers from the last 4 days!
After lunch, I followed a dirt road for a couple of miles to a trailhead. There was just one at parked there, not surprisingly a Subaru. And another Massachusetts export!
I climbed back up 2000ft to a ridge above Fish Lake, and I could see snowy Mt Shasta in the distance.
I think this was Long Gulch Lake.
The trail quality was great all day, until right after I took this photo.
I think the snowy mountain in the distance is Thompson Peak, a glaciated summit in the Trinity Alps.
As I walked around Rush Lake, the trail meandered thru nice open meadows.
I climbed my final ridge for the day, and on the other side of the ridge, the trail became much more obscure. I worked hard to follow it, using clues such as candlestick blazes, waterbars, switchbacks, and cut logs. It was just so covered in fallen sticks & branches.I did pretty well, and only lost the trail for 200m before I found it again. I got to a saddle/pass at 6pm, and decided it was a nice flat area to camp. There is a trail junction nearby, down to Lady Gulch. Today was 5500ft of elevation gain, tomorrow should be similar since I climb the highest point of the trail.