2 Bears, 2 Rattle Snakes & 2 Black-tail Deer

Approximately Trail mile 1289, traveling south.  Elevation1286.8 ft in Belden

Packing up to go, just before bear encounter.

I camp a few miles outside of Belden Town, CA.  I had planned to get to town the night before, but a hiker going north told me that there was a big festival in town with loud music and nowhere to stay.  I found a nice camp site, knowing the hike the next day would all be downhill, dropping in elevation by nearly 4000 feet.  I woke up about 6:30 am and retrieved my food bag from the tree.  I took some ibuprofen, ate a little and not feeling well, decided to lay down for a bit before hitting the trail.  Stupidly, I left my food bag against the tree, thinking I would only rest for a few minutes.  I fell back asleep for two hours.  When I awoke, I quickly packed up.  Just as I was getting ready to hoist my pack, I look up to see two bears loping toward me, about 60 feet away.  I hurriedly flip the safety off of my bear spray (it will shoot 30 feet).  I grab my trekking poles, stand up on a rock that is about 2 feet tall (so I look bigger) and clack my poles together.  The front bear spots me and quickly turns up the hill, with the second bear right behind.  I sit down on the rock and shake violently for at least 10 minutes, especially when I realize that I'd been sleeping for 2 hours with my open food bag leaning on a tree, 3 feet from me.  Stupid, stupid, stupid!
After gaining my composure, I start hiking. Within a couple of miles, I encounter two rattlesnakes.  One was very small and scooted quickly across the trail.  The other was bigger, coiled under a bush at the side of the trail and rattling.  I back up and wait until it feels safe from me, uncoils and slithers away.  I then stop at Rattlesnake Spring for water.  How appropriate!

Ankle-twisting trail down to Belden.

Rattlesnake Spring

A bit later, I finally see two things that don't terrify me, a mommy deer and her little one dart across the trail and up the hill.  I am hiking almost exclusively downhill.  Much of the trail is of the ankle- twisting type, like hiking down an old creek bed or runoff channel. I have to pay special attention to foot placement.

River winding into Belden

The last couple of miles is smoother trail, but I'm now on a hot, exposed ridge.  The temps are over 90 degrees.  I can hear music coming from the valley below.  There is a beautiful river that looks inviting.

More pretty flowers

As I enter town and cross the bridge over the river, I'm greeted by event information persons.  I don't have to pay to enter, but they give me a pink wrist band, identifying me as a PCT hiker.  They show me on a map that there is an area reserved for PCT hikers to camp about 1/2 mile down the river.  The distance is to get us far enough away from the all night music to be able to sleep.
The first thing I do is shower with tokens from the Belden Town Resort.  I buy a $12 handkerchief dress to change into while I put all my hiking clothes in the laundry.  While they wash, I go across the street and order a huge burger at the resort.  The food is delicious, large portions and for a resort, the prices aren't bad.  Despite the yummy food, I'm having trouble making myself eat.  I force myself to eat slowly as I know I need the nutrition.  I'm hoping it will make me feel better.

Coming down the trail into Belden

Tent area along the river, reserved for PCT hikers, although we find other festival-goers putting larger tents up here as well.

Downtown Belden and Resort.

A couple of hours later, I am finally in my tent.  Camped next to me are some musicians who will perform later in town.  Although they are not to be camped with the hikers, the two young men are practicing their set for their later performance on stage.  As it turns out, I love the music and they are exceptionally good.  I lean out of my tent, clapping and tell them that I'm really enjoying my own private concert.

I then call Marv to tell him that I'm not feeling well and that my pack is absolutely killing me.  I'm having nervy pain in one shoulder and my back is in constant spasm.  These are problems I never experienced with my old pack, even if it didn't fit exactly right.  After some discussion, we decide that he will order me a pack just like I had before, except a smaller torso size.  He will come pick me up, I will practice hiking around the campground where he is staying with the new pack.  If the problem is resolved, I will again get back to the trail.