Day 19 259.5 - 268.3

Waking up around 6, I didn't feel great but was better than yesterday. I packed up and headed over to the Pancake House for a big american breakfast. Maverick was there with two hikers he shared his hotel room with and I ate with them. Nothing makes me quite so happy as breakfast food in town.

I picked up my resupply from the Chevron station and my mom was nice enough to pack it with extra food. I’m going faster than I had planned for so I needed to ship a lot of the food forward to Cascade Locks. I waited for a few hours only to be told that I had to ship from the Snoqualmie Inn. The lady at the inn was helpful and I got my package off. Maverick let me charge up my phone in his room before I headed off.

Finally got off my butt around 3 and plowed through the miles for a few hours before making it to Mirror Lake for camp.

Day 20 268.3 - 293.2

The clouds were gorgeous in the morning. There was even a cloud inversion in the valley south of Mirror Lake. The lake itself was calm and reflected the mountain above it. After packing up camp and walking a few hundred feet, thunder rolled through the valley followed immediately by rain for 10 minutes. As soon as I bothered to put my pack cover on the rain stopped.

The trail winded through hills that have been logged in the past few years and it seemed like the trail wanted to get through the terrain as fast as possible. The elevation gains were modest but the grades were aggressive, going straight up. Whatever the gain, the trail wanted it done in a mile or less.

There was an 11 mile stretch without water and I didnt make it to the far end for camp. I still had 8 miles till water in the morning but I drank the last of mine during the night.

Day 21 293.2 - 326.9

Lucky for me that the weather was chilly and overcast so I wasnt sweating too much.

By lunchtime, the skies were clear and, being a princess, I was complaining that it was too hot. Along with a few other hikers, I enjoyed a nice long break in the sun at the Mike Urich cabin before heading out again after a big group of guys drove in to make camp.

The trail winds through a burn area for a few miles and these miles were stunning. While the burned trees stood casting long thin shadows in the afternoon light, blue Broadleaf Lupine blanketed the ground.

I made it my 25 miles for the day but I still had a lot of energy because I stuffed my face all day with Nutella and cookies. Tipsoo lake was only 14 miles away and with a big push I could make it there for sunrise.

I’m so glad I decided to push on. The trail jumps to the west side of the mountain two miles out of camp and treated me to a great sunset over Mt Rainier with wildflowers all around.

Night hiking till midnight put me within a few miles of Tipsoo. I dont think i’ll do much night hiking unless I have somewhere to be for sunrise, you can’t see anything and might as well be on a treadmill.

Decided to cowboy camp since I would be up in a few hours. I tried to sleep on my foam pad instead of the air pad. Never. Again.

Day 21 326.9 - 344

Sunrise over the lake was nice. There were no clouds but it was a peaceful experience. I tried one of the vegan, plant based, gluten free cookies in my food bag. I nearly gagged. At t

Least there was a trashcan nearby so I didnt have to eat of carry it.

The views were great today. Rainier looming close with Mt Adam’s and Mt St Hellens in the distance.

As I was getting water and battling my best friends, the mosquitoes, Bunny and Curtis passed me. We had a little catching up but our mutual friends insisted we keep moving in our separate directions.

With last nights poor sleep, I dragged my feet all day and would have felt unproductive but my average was still 25 miles. Only 14 into town tomorrow.

Day 22 344 - 357.7

New day. Fresh legs.

I didnt stop, couldn’t stop, the whole way into town. The mosquitoes here have been the most aggressive so far on trail, with a cloud following close behind me at all times. A few tried to bite my hands and face as I was walking. I was so happy to get to the pass and an area without trees and a breeze to keep my devoted friends at a distance.

The Kracker Barrel was packed with hikers. I picked up my box and got a ride into town. I needed to get new places for my boots and new tips for my trekking poles. I could find either and all of the hotels are full because of a car show this weekend. One was kind enough to let me camp behind the building and I was able to buy a shower and laundry. Almost as good as having my own room.

Day 23 ZERO

I’m taking a day in Packwood. The next section is supposed to be gorgeous but its cloudy and supposed to rain. I’d like to be able to see the views. It’s also 6 days to Cascade Locks and I could use the rest.