Trout Lake (PCT mile 2216) to White Pass (PCT mile 2292).
The trail goes above the tree line in several places to offer fantastic views of the volcanos in southern Washington.
There were quit a few local hikers in this section, probably because of the good views that it offers. There were also more south bound through hikers. It seems the trail has come to life. At the pass I met several through-hikers picking package our just resting.
Where is Chugchug
Mount Adams
Mount Rainier
Cascade Locks (PCT 2144) to Trout Lake (PCT 2226)
Crossing the Bridge of the Gods was somewhat emotional for me. It represented the half way point of my journey, the completion of Oregon and the beginning of Washington. It is a narrow, 2 lane bridge, and there is no pedestrian sidewalk. You simply walk in the traffic lane. It was early and not much traffic, so I was able to switch sides a few times to take pictures. At the end there was a big sign saying “Welcome to Washington.”
Trout Lake is a very hiker friendly little town some 13 mile of the PCT. It has many trail angles who will pick you up and take you back to the trail. The store will hold your package, no charge. The hotel will let you use there bicycles, etc. I am really happy I stopped here.
Next section of the trail is going by mount Adams, and I am really looking forward to the vistas.
Area map
Bridge of the Gods
The Columbia River
Mount Adams
Mount Hood Timberline Lodge (PCT 2094) to Cascade Locks (PCT 2144)
The last couple of days I hiked the northern most section of the PCT in Oregon. The trail went through an area called Paradise Park. Indeed it is an amazing display of glacier fed streams and an abundant of water.
I was going to take the Eagle Creek trail which is an alternate of the PCT and suppose to be spectacular. However, the trail was closed due to an on going wild fire. It is amazing that just a few days ago the problem was to much snow.
Tomorrow morning I am going to cross the Bridge Of the Gods (actual name) and enter the state of Washington.
Area map
Mnt Hood and the Sandy River
Ramona Falls
Wild fire in Eagle Creek
Big Lake Youth Camp (PCT mile 1992) to Mt Hood Timeline Lodge (PCT mile 2094)
I am sitting at Timeline Lodge waiting to my ride to Portland. I am going to spend tomorrow shopping to replace some of my very worn out gear and then return to the trail to continue north. I am just 3 hiking days from completing Oregon.
The highlight of this section is the Mount Jefferson Wilderness. Below are pictures of There Fingers Jack and Mount Jefferson from Shell Lake. As I other high elevation places in Oregon this year there was plenty of snow, but not enough to get me off course.
Where I am
Oregon “Green Tunnel”
Mt Hood
Mt Jefferson from Shell Lake
Three Fingers Jack
10 JULY 2017, 09:08 PM
Elk Lake (PCT mile 1950) to Big Lake Youth Camp (PCT mile 1992)
The highlight of this section is the Sisters Wilderness and the Obsidian area. The PCT makes a large arch around the Sisters Mountain Range rising in altitude to 6500 ft. It offer fantastic views of the mountains and far away vistas to the west, not at all a “green tunnel”. The area had gobs amounts of snow covering the trail for miles making a GPS an essential navigation tool. The area is also very popular by locals. I met many hikers on several days backpacking trips through the area.
Below are pictures of Sisters Mirror Lake, South Sister from the trail, Middle Sister and North Sister from my camp.
The Big Lake Youth Camp is a must stop for every through hiker – free meals, shower and laundry. And you can send them your resupply package.
With this segment I have completed a third of the way to my goal, Canada.
South Sister from Sister Mirror Lake
South Sister
Middle Sister
North Sister
07 JULY 2017, 07:20 PM
PCT mile 1950
Most of what I read about the PCT route through Oregon talks about the "green tunnel". That feeling of seeing nothing but trees. While there is some true to it, they forget to mention the many beautiful lakes. Below are just a few examples taken from: Diamond View Lake, Charlton Lake and Taylor Lake.
Saturday I setup my camp on a spit of land extending into Dumbbell Lake. I had a 270 degrees view of this beautiful tree lined lake. To boot, there were no mosquitos.
Sunday morning I am at the Elk Lake Resort. I am going to rest and reorganize and continue tomorrow.
Shelter Cove, PCT mile 1904. It was 13 days to here from Seiad Valley, CA and I expect 13 day from here to Cascade Locks.
It’s just the second day since Diamond Lake. That was a good stop for me as the place is used to pct hikers and they gave me (and 3 others) a ride to the near by trailhead, Windigo Pass. They recommended and I took the Oregon Skyline Trail, which is an “official” alternate to the PCT. It is about 1000 ft lower and there was no snow. I camped by Diamond View Lake and got a great view of Diamond Peak this morning.
Crater Lake
The route since Fish Lake
This portion of the trail, mile 1771 to 1904 has been much more demanding. The trail had not been maintained in a while and there are many down trees, blocking the way. Snow become a major issue. It is not only climbing over snow piles, which takes time and effort, but sometimes the trail disappears under large piles of snow and I have to walk around with my GPS in hand to find it. There was one area called Devil Peak which was particularly bad. And lastly, mosquitos. Around Crater Lake the trail was covered with solid snow for miles, and I was forced to walk on the road where available.
Finally, about 15 miles north of Crater Lake, the trail traverses very steep north facing slopes at high altitude. There was so much snow that it became to dangerous for me to continue. I had to abandon the trail. I am now by Diamond Lake, just a couple of miles from the PCT, trying to figure out how to get around the bad section. I think farther north it is not as high, and may be possible to continue.
The reward was seeing Crater Lake and getting to spend the night right on the rim.
Internet here is too slow. I am posting this without pictures.
On the Bluffs in Poipu
On the Bluffs in Poipu
wrongwaygangg@gmail.com | @wrong_way_gang
Supporting, promoting, and inspiring women to be active outdoors.
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