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Of Glaciers and Goats – Trout Lake to White Pass
Washington started to deliver the goods! Mount Adams and the Goat Rocks Wilderness were some definite high points in this gorgeous state. Day 142 – 24 miles/2255 (8/17/22) With the big bubble around, we realized sleeping in and rolling into camp at 7 pm wasn’t gonna work much longer. The tent sites were typically getting…
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Into the Green Tunnel – Cascade Locks to Trout Lake
For much of the PCT up to this point, wide open views are the norm. While I do love the sense of wonder and mystery that fills the air in the lush rain forest of the Pacific Northwest, 80 miles of trees becomes a bit of a blur after a while… Day 138 – 10…
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It’s All Good in Mt. Hood – Government Camp to Cascade Locks
Mount Hood – Oregon’s conspicuous crown jewel. Another lonely Cascade volcano standing 11,240 feet above sea level, Mt. Hood holds glaciers and snow fields year round. The PCT would take us around the flanks of this massive mountain, showing us the magic of what happens when high altitude meets temperate rain forest. Day 135 –…
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The Longest Zero & A Beaver Reunion – Bend to Government Camp
Driven off trail by fire, Maggie and I were adrift in Bend, OR. We ended up taking five days off from hiking, and while not hiking is decidedly less interesting, there was no shortage of fun coincidence that occurred on this trail of life. Day 130 – 0 miles/1960 (8/4/2022) Maggie and I woke up…
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Fire Afoot – Shelter Cove to Bend
Wildfires were on our heels, smoke was in our lungs. We were maintaining a relatively relaxed pace to meet friends off trail, so it almost seemed inevitable the flames would catch up to us… Day 126 – 23 miles/1934 (7/31/22) We woke up to a smokey morning on Rosary Lake. There were some mosquitoes, but…
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Hail from the Heavens, Mosquitoes from Hell – Crater Lake to Shelter Cove
With ample time on our hands, we were able to enjoy some of the high points in the Oregon Casades. In the karmic tradition of the PCT, all that was good was balanced with a healthy dose of reality… Day 120 – 0(+2) miles/1821 (7/25/22) No alarms on this day. Maggie and I started stirring…
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Extrusive Volcanic Exclusive – Ashland to Crater Lake
Oregon has a reputation amongst PCT hikers for being flat and boring. I would tend to agree, for some stretches anyways. Nevertheless, the Cascades delivered the volcanic goods on occasion throughout this 100 mile walk to Crater Lake. Day 114 – 0 miles/1718 (7/19/22) Laundry was our top priority. Have I mentioned that we wear…
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Beaver State Bound – Etna to Ashland
It is true, we were still in California after more than 100 days of hiking. Geopolitical boundaries seem arbitrary to a dirt path, but walking to Oregon from the Mexican border felt like a major milestone, and it was finally within reach… Day 108 – 22 miles/1624 (7/13/22) Our day started with passing through a…
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Traversing the Trinity Alps – Mt. Shasta to Etna
This section is perhaps one of my favorite hidden gems of northern California. The shift in geology from the white granite Sierras to the extrusive igneous (volcanic) andesite and basalt of the Cascades was instantly noticeable. However, the extrusive volcanic rocks are not continuous across the entire length of the Cascades. Enter the Trinity Alps:…
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Timberland, Old Growth, and Old Friends – Burney Falls to Mt. Shasta
Day 98 – 21 miles/1440 (7/3/22) Maggie and I woke up early to beat the crowds to Burney Falls. We packed up around 7 and checked out the falls, the cool mist chilling us in the shady morning light. It was amazing to see so much flowing water in a part of California that otherwise…