Trout Lake

PCT 2018 Day 93, July 24, Tuesday

Start mile 2196.5, corner at switchback

End mile 2226.3, road crossing with state route 23, then hitch to community of Trout Lake

Miles walked: 29.8

Today presents several lakes , including Blue Lake here, and therefore also mosquitos.

The trail has several ups and dow, bouncing between 3k and 5k. We continue to approach Mount Adams.

With a light pack and motivation to enjoy town treats, I finish 30 miles relatively early in the day, reaching the road at 5PM. This road has little traffic, and the few cars going by were not inclined to stop. After an hour I walked down to a cell signal and started dialing trail angels, but a couple from Portland offer me a ride before I can find an angel who might be available.

On the way down I spot Magic Beans, hitching back to the trail.

The general store has my two packages waiting, including a repair for one of my trekking poles. How pleasant it will be to get back to two poles.

A large cat seems to be in charge of the store.

The store owner does not have any more rooms available, but offers me free space on her lawn next door. This saves me a fee at the nearby campground, but more importantly gives me access to store wifi.

The cat comes out to my tentsite for an inspection.

Green Tunnel Vision

PCT 2018 Day 92, July 23, Monday

Start mile 2166.5, flat corner at switchback

End mile 2196.5, corner at switchback

Miles walked: 30.0

The trail is shaded in trees nearly all day today, with views of more ridges completely covered in trees. The only exception is the view of Mount Adams in the distance.

Towards the end of the day the path goes along a lava flow, with collapsed layers often creating caves.

And also, I see regulations posted about mushrooms, which I do not remember seeing in other forests.

I am starting to notice the shorter days, making it harder to complete my daily thirty. Best to finish soon…

Completed audiobook Can You Forgive Her, by Anthony Trollope.

Enter Washington

PCT 2018 Day 91, July 22, Sunday

Start mile 2144.2, Cascade Locks,

End mile 2166.5, flat corner at switchback

Miles walked: 22.3

Bruce and Beth drop me off at Cascade Locks, and I get on trail around 10:30AM, crossing the Bridge of the Gods Bridge over the Columbia River. The metal bridge does not really have a pedestrian walkway, like I had assumed. Through the metal grate road surface one can view the river below. On the other side, I am in Washington state! Blackberries, and later raspberries, are growing along the trail. Later, higher in elevation, I see ripe huckleberries. Bonnieville Dam can be seen in the distance, with hydroelectric generators and fish ladders for salmon. The trail passes below the summit of Table Mountain. Some clear-cutting is visible late in the day. I hike until dark, to offset my late start. Cans and Boombox, last seen at the Timberline Lodge breakfast, are camping nearby, and I see several southbound thru-hikers today.