Urich Cabin

PCT 2018 Day 97, July 28, Saturday

Start mile 2315.6, viewpoint

End mile 2344.5, campsite near cabin

Miles walked: 28.9

Today we get quite attractive views with spruce, spaced out and the shape of Christmas trees, and scree and rock and grass. The Park Service foot bridge at Chinook Pass also serves as an entry sign, built of massive logs. Past Chinook Pass and the nearby lake, the path leads along the side of a long steep ridge, mostly level, and goes for miles. Here is more trail along steep ridge. Up so high I can escape mosquitos most of the day. We get a view of Mount Rainier with clouds. Across the basin one can see a ski area and mine. Here is yet another view of path along steep ridge. The trail passes underneath steep scree/talus, with a small rockfall just as I go by. How strange that such a steep slope can be stable Later the path follows the top of a ridge along a burn area, with rare rainfall and lightning.

At Urich Cabin, Splash and Pizza cook hot dogs with onions and roasted jalepenos, and also provide cold drinks and snacks for trail magic. Urich Cabin was built by a snowmobile group, and PCT hikers are allowed to use. Thru-hikers Hot Sauce and Eleven (southbound) enjoy the magic. Section hiker Papa Sul arrives later. Good conversation ensues.

Hot Sauce enjoys a dog.

Finished audiobook The Warden, by Anthony Trollope.

White Pass

PCT 2018 Day 96, July 27, Friday

Start mile 2287.1, campsite

End mile 2315.6, viewpoint

Miles walked: 28.5

I walk about 5 miles to White Pass. The little country store has my supply box, and wifi. After a couple of hours break, it is time to hike some miles. Dozens of lakes and ponds go by, so my headnet stays on for hours to protect from mosquitos. Haze envelopes Mount Rainier, as we approach closer. Finally, inside the park boundary for Rainier, I find water and a place to pitch my tent.

Goat Rocks Wilderness

PCT 2018 Day 95, July 26, Thursday

Start mile 2256.3, campsite near pond

End mile 2287.1, campsite

Miles walked: 30.8

My little camera cannot adequately capture the glorious scenes today…

The trail climbs up to 6.5k, and later 7k, with the view of a tall and deep ridge beyond the marker to Yakima tribal lands. At Crispus Pass, the trail crosses over to another steep ridge bowl. The path goes along a narrow path of loose shale, and a snow crossing. Mountain goats can be seen playing on the snow fields below. Later the trail follows on the top of a narrow winding ridge. At least 20 southbound thru-hikers go by.

Heard by a southbounder: “I had a really bad morning, but rehydrated after the tears, and now I’m fine.”

I asked a southbounder, “Are there any days in Washington better than this?” “No, but there are good days.”

Finished audiobook A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett, read by Kara Shallenberg.