July 17th, 2009 - Saddle Above Bear Valley to Sierra City

It was a short night. Wok up at 4am in hopes of hiking 25 miles to Sierra City by 4:30pm in order to get to the post office before it closed for the day. It was a tall task, but we were up for the challenge. However, it meant no lolly-gagging for the day.

We kept our breaks short and stopped for a brief lunch break. Tom's shin splints started to rear their ugly head, so he did not think he cold keep up enough speed to make it to Sierra City by 4:30pm. So he sent me off ahead. After all of these weeks of walking together it was weird to be hiking alone. I really missed Tom - eventhough he was just a couple of miles behind me.

I cruised into Sierra City - just 1.5 miles off the trail - about 3:15pm. I was greeted by at least 10 thru hikers sitting on the front porch. Wow. I think we have finally caught up with the herd.

I got our packages at the post office next to the store. I started asking around about lodging and the word was that all the lodging was full. Bummer! We really were looking forward to a a shower and real bed.

I had just sat down on the store porch with a coke and saw Tom walking down the street. He wasn't too far behind me after all. I told him about the rumors of no lodging and he went to work - going up and down the street looking for a place to stay.

10 minutes later he was back with a place to stay - Old Sierra City Hotel. It is an old school boarding house style joint restaurant/tavern below and rooms on the 2nd floor. Our room is tiny - just enough room for a dresser and bed with a private shower. Nothing fancy, but it does the trick.

Dined at the restaurant below our room. We both had chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes, gravy, corn-on-the-cob, salad, bread and watermelon. A perfect fattening meal for 2 hungry hikers!

~Tori