PCT 2018 Day 89, July 20, Friday
Start mile 2116.2, Salvation Spring and campsite
End mile 2144.2, Cascade Locks, camp at Marine Park Campground
Miles walked: 28
The morning opens cold, damp and foggy, a huge change from the previous evening.
I end up hiking wearing a windbreaker until noon, which means really cold indeed.
Artistic version of the morning.
Mount Adams can be seen to the north and east. The trail swings near the base of the peak.
On miles of switchbacks the trail goes from altitude 4k down to about 90 feet at Cascade Locks. Here is an early glimpse of Columbia Gorge.
I was planning on camping at The Swamp, run by trail troll Shrek. Upon going to his house I learn that he is no longer hosting hikers. Upon walking away, I realize that is just what Shrek in the movies would say, and that I should have persisted. :-)
I end up camping at Marine Park and Campground, absolutely lovely right along the river.
Good conversation with hikers First, Fabian (Austria), and Gust made a good finish for the day. I showered at the campground, and will do laundry in town tomorrow morning just before my friend picks me up for a visit.
I enjoy these historic lodges, and must include at least a couple of photos of the interior. 
Hun and I get a larger table for the breakfast buffet in the Cascadia Room, so that other hikers can join us, and soon we meet Packing, Cans, and Boombox, with Kodak coming later. 
Lively conversation and good food are a fine start to the day. Afterwards I go down to the activity building and get my box and repack and organize. I do appreciate the fast wifi, and download my favorite podcasts.
Hun starts after me but catches up. We take the side trail to Ramona Falls. The sun is just at a good angle to illuminate the water.
Hun needs to stop for a rest, afflicted with heel blisters. She may need different shoes, requiring a trip into Portland. She may not hike far today, but hopes to catch up with me tomorrow.
I thought I saw an Ewok, but was mistaken. Later, after a long climb up switchbacks, the air becomes quite cool. Has the weather changed suddenly? I get to my planned stopping place, not hiking very late today, and dress warmly for a cold night.
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.
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.