Day 23 357.1 - 363
I know that I said in the last post that today was a zero but I wrote that in the morning before I got bored and left the pass at 3 to do a short few miles to a nice camp.
Day 24 363 - 376.3
Today’s miles held the highlight of the section. The top of Goat Rocks has a little section called the Knife Edge with steep drop offs and expansive views. The only problem was getting to the top. Normally, when the trail decides that it needs to climb over a mountain it keeps the gain under 500 ft a mile sometimes pushing 700 ft if it wants to be mean. Short sections of this ascent reached as steep as 1200 ft a mile. Nothing quite like a stairmaster with a full pack on.
Nearing the top the trail turns from nice cushy grippy dirt to being made up of flat stones that sounded like walking on plates of china. The grade was excruciating. On the south side going down, I noted how gentle the trail looked in comparison.
Just over the top was a large campsite with over a dozen sites scattered about and amazing views of Mt Rainier, Adams, and Helen. Even though staying at this site meant a very short 13 mile day, it was more than worth it. I got some nice pictures and even woke up at 11pm to see the milky way over Mt Adams.
Day 25 376.3 - 403.1
Of course I got up early to see sunrise. Sadly, no morning coulds to catch the light but I was up and walking earlier than usual. The trail headed towards Mt Adams and there were multiple times that I would come around a bend in the trail and be surprised at how close the mountain had gotten.
The terrain was easy today. Really easy. The miles flew by and there was one section that was incredibly well maintained. I felt like I was flying.
Made camp at Lava Springs. This place had some of the best tasting water I’ve had. There were a lot of sites with soft flat ground and a mound of broken lava rocks that if climbed give a great view of Adams.
Day 26 403.1 - 423.7
The shuttle into Trout Lake runs 4 times throughout the day and the plan was to make it in time for the 2pm departure. 20.5 by 2. Not too bad. There was a 6 mile climb out of camp by the grade was an easy 350ft that wasnt enough to tire me out. I made it to the top without stopping and, being at the base of Adams, the mountain was huge.
I ran into my hiking buddy from the desert, Wolf, and we caught up for a bit before I basically ran down the trail towards the road. I wasnt running but it was easy to go fast. I ended up making it to the room around 1:30 and it turned out the shuttle doesn’t leave for town until 2:30. There were three hiker when I showed up including Mr. Wonka but over 15 when the shuttle showed up. The shuttle was a small pick up that could only take 8. Glad that I was there early. Crawled in the back with all of the packs and enjoyed the 13 miles that flew by in an instant.
Trout lake didnt have much but it did have everything that was needed. A store and a cafe. I probably spent 50 at the cafe between dinner and breakfast the next morning.
Camped in the back of the store for $5 with a bunch of other hikers.
Day 27 423.7 - 433.9
Finally, a place with a breakfast diner. I was waiting for the cafe to open at 7 and ended up getting double breakfast with Tyce and Wonka. Feeling suitably comatose, we all agreed on the 2pm bus back to the trail. Spent the time until the shuttle sitting on the porch of the store enjoying small town America.
On trail, I was powered by all of the town calories but, at the same time, weighed down by those two breakfasts. The trail was a bit of a green tunnel but before long I had made it to Mosquito Creek. I think the creek was named sarcastically because this was one of the few places without a ridiculous amount of bugs.
Day 28 433.9 - 462.2
More about the miles today. I wanted to make it 28 to a nice campsite on a ridge. I slept like a brick so I was actually energetic in the morning and on trail early again.
I dont have too much to say about today. It was a green tunnel.
Cowboy camped on a break in the trees with a nice view of Mt Hood in the background.
Day 29 462.2 - 492.7
I did not like today. I didnt sleep well and only wanted to get to camp. No photos were taken this day. I found out later that I missed out on good trail magic because I passed that road too early in the day. Just kept hiking until I made my 30 miles. I’m in range to make it into Cascade Locks for breakfast.
Day 30 492.7 - 505.5
Slept a lot better last night and with the prospect of breakfast I was flying down the trail. There was a lot of wet brush so I got one last carwash from Washington. The elevation is so low now that the foliage looks more like a rain forest than any other part of the trail.
I made it for breakfast and happiness. The cheap hotel is booked so $5 camping it is.
Ended up getting a haircut. So breezy. I feel like myself again.
Oh, Washinton. You were amazing.
