Mount Hood

PCT 2018 Day 87, July 18, Wednesday

Start mile 2062.1, campsite near a creek

End campsite near Timberline Lodge, mile 2094.4

Miles walked: 32.3

The plan is to camp near historic Timberline Lodge, ready for their breakfast buffet the next morning. I did not met a long distance hiker where that was not the plan. The morning passes through more green tunnel, perhaps at lower altitude with more moisture, so moss grows over rotting logs. Trees often grow tall in Oregon. The route passes by large and popular Timothy Lake. A small detour reveals Little Crater Lake, deep and blue. Later I pass Amanita (mushroom) and Hun (likes putting honey on food, from Germany) pausing for lunch, and we chat.

After starting a long gradually climb, Mount Hood comes into prominent view, without the haze of yesterday. Amanita had to leave for a music concert, but Hun and I hike together the rest of the day. She is quite fast, even though only starting hiking at Ashland. Horses come down the trail a couple of times. Hun’s friend Kodak has stopped on the trail to snack on cherries someone gave her, and offers us some. We get closer to the summit of Mount Hood, realizing it is mostly loose gray sand, not rock. Our path is on the same type of sand, tough to go uphill. Hun and I go to the parking lot where a hiker shower is provided from a converted port-a-potty. The water is cold, and you have to hold the faucet on with one hand while soaping up with the other. Hun and I take turns, then go visit the lodge briefly as newly clean hikers. While in the lodge, Hun greets Jocelyn and Braydon, who she met at Olallie. They have taken a room at the lodge. On the way back we meet Kodak, who just showered. She allows me to take a reaction shot. Kodak shows us a closer camping spot to the lodge, and we pitch tents to get ready for the morning feast.

Olallie

PCT 2018 Day 86, July 17, Tuesday

Start mile 2028.7

End 2062.1

Miles walked: 33.4

The trail climbs back up to a high ridge. Look back to admire Mt Jefferson.

From this high vantage point enjoy the variety of peaks.
In the distance is Mount Hood, surrounded in haze.

When I used to live near Portland, decades ago, Mount Hood was often hidden by clouds or haze, and would suddenly reappear on clear days. Oh, we get snow crossings again.

Memories of the Sierras run through my mind.

The trail passes through a rugged alpine ecozone.

Descending low again, the trail passes several lakes, and on the Warm Springs reservation is Lake Olallie, with off-grid camp store and campground. Nate is doing trail magic, acting as a short-order cook on his propane griddle, making me banana pancakes, and later eggs.

Nate’s dog supervises.

Also enjoying Nate’s efforts are Uphill, Eric, and Ike. I recognize Uphill’s distinctive logo on trail registers. I get a couple day’s worth of food at the camp store. Uphill and I hike together for a while, in green tunnel without many views, finally camping with several other tents near a creek.

Mount Jefferson

PCT 2018 Day 85, July 16, Monday

Start mile 1996.5, pond

End mile 2028.7, burn area

Miles walked: 32.2

Looking back, say farewell to Sisters and crater. And mesas and other features. Three-Fingered Jack is the best name for a mountain ever. Mount Jefferson presides over all.Tho trail goes up high on a ridge, with views of steep formations. Milk Creek had big flow and erosion, tricky to cross. Past the base of Mount Jefferson is a huge burn area. I am hiking late, and am not able to get out of the burn area before the light fails. Camping among standing burned trees is not safe; random creaks and pops from tree trunks are heard through tho night.

Finished audiobook The Diary of Otto Kandinsky, by I G Hulme, a Heavenfield book.