Tag: PCT2014

Day 150-151: August 30-31st

Mile 2225 to Mile 2237.5

I awoke to a light rain that continued most of the morning. I only hiked 12.5 miles to Forest Road 23 where I met Deb and we went into the small town of Trout Lake where we took a zero day and will resupply for the next section of the hike.

Mileage: 12.5

Day 149: August 29th

Mile 2201.7 to Mile 2225

The day started sunny but became cloudy and cool in afternoon. Washington has lots of trees and the Pacific Crest Trail meanders through the forest. Less up and down today and my leg continues to feel good.

Mileage: 23.3

Day 148: August 28th

Mile 2179.5 to Mile 2201.7

I Met Deb today for lunch and to pick up supplies.

Lots of ups and downs in Washington. This afternoon was a 4,000 foot climb from the Wind River to Huckleberry Mountain. But after 2,000 miles a 4,000 foot climb is not as daunting or difficult as it once was. I wouldn’t call it easy but just not that difficult.

My shin is feeling better, almost back to normal.

Mileage: 22.2

Day 147: August 27th

Mile 2155 (Cascade Locks) to Mile 2179.5

This morning I crossed the Bridge of the Gods from Cascade Locks, OR into Washington, the final state I will be crossing in my journey.

Crossing the bridge was a minor adventure. The bridge is tall and the surface is a metal grating that you can see right through – 140 feet down to the water and boat traffic below. The bridge has no pedestrian walkway, you walk in the traffic lane facing the oncoming traffic. The side railings seems smaller than you would expect too. You have plenty of time to contemplate these things as you walk the one third mile length of the bridge.

At 200 feet in elevation, Cascade Locks is the low point on the Pacific Crest Trail. It’s all up from here and the trail made a big climb up Table Mountain shortly after entering Washington.

Mileage: 24.5

Day 146: August 26th

Mile 2140.7 (Wahtum Lake) to Mile 2155 (Cascade Locks)

From Wahtum Lake I continued on the official Pacific Crest Trail to the small town of Cascade Locks. Few PCT hikers actually take this official route as most hike the very senic and amazing Eagle Creek alternate trail into town. I saw only one southbound section hiker and otherwise had the trail all to my self.

The official PCT is a pleasant enough hike. As one might expect it stays much higher along forested ridgetops most of the way before dropping 4,000 feet to Cascade Locks in just a fee miles. The Eagle Creek alternate, while not crest-like, is a truly amazing trail and is highly recommend.

Tonight I am camped with Deb at the Marine RV park just a few steps across the Bridge of the Gods from the State of Washington.

Mileage: 14.3

Day 145: August 25th

Mile 2119.3 to Mile 2140.7 (Wahtum Lake)

Today’s hike continued around Mount Hood and then along something called the Bull Run Watershed which supplies the water for the City of Portland. Pretty hiking along forested ridgetops.

My shin is starting to feel much better, probably 75-80% of normal now.

Most Pacific Crest Trail hikers take the senic Eagle Creek alternate trail into Cascade Locks but I hiked the official PCT as far as Wahtum Lake today.

Mileage: 21.4