Day 71 – 73, Reno to Donner Pass to Sierra City, mile 1195

Song of the post – “Reno” by Bruce Springsteen

After making it to Reno, we ran some errands. Since we were out of the Sierras we were able to get rid of our bear canisters. This was a relief not so much because of the added weight of the canisters, but because of the added bulk.

After a quick trip to REI, getting haircuts, visiting the Reno art museum, and quick scooter rides around the city center, we bedded down at Circus Circus.




Before catching our ride to Donner Pass, we got a quick bite of breakfast at the Whitney Hotel in central Reno. Now, I don’t know about their rooms but the breakfast is out of this world. Highly recommend. Granted we both are use to Cliff bars, jerky and Fritos for out morning meals, so there you go.

They call this Avocado Toast. I call it art.
A lb of breakfast burrito.

We decided to forgo the train and hitching plan to get to Donner, and took an Uber instead. We didn’t realize it was so close. Also the Amtrak was 8 hrs late.

Donner Pass was cool, sunny and absolutely beautiful. And it wasn’t Mammoth Lakes. Started our hike feeling good.

We had given ourselves 3 days to get to Sierra City, which is 40 miles of hiking. We essentially are hiking along a ridge line most of the way, so getting great views, coming across interesting cabins here and there. Not the dramatic peaks of the high Sierras, but I’m enjoying the hike more. Also, at least right now, the bugs have lightened up.

A Sierra Club cabin


We’re kind of cruising on the hike, and make it to Sierra city a day early, Day 1-15.5 miles, Day 2-25 miles. Sierra City is not on the PCT, but only 1.5 miles down a paved road. It appears to be something of a regular stop for PCT hikers to resupply, but somewhat limiting in what you can get.

We ended up spending a Zero here, as the next section would be 5 days of hiking to get to Belden. In Belden we will get off trail. Char Char will meet us to shuttle to our nephew, Mike Ketcham’s wedding.

Also, Cliff’s injury is not causing much pain. He’s doing great.

The next few photos are of the area around Sierra City. It’s truly a nature lovers paradise.

Russ, a friendly local who gave us a tour,
called this Valentines Falls…I think thats what he called it
Saw this when we made it to the highway.
And we got a ride from a man from, of all places, Hood River, OR
We are climbing the front side of this range tomorrow.
Russ brought us around to the back side to see the lakes.
Russ, wherever you are, thanks for the tour

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