Ashland to Truckee, Mile 1157

A stretch with some less exciting hiking and temperature extremes.  Over 100 F in the valleys coming out of Ashland and Seiad Valley, and this morning I saw my first frost.  The colder temps got me thinking that I need to get moving.  I thought after my 9 day hiatus in Ashland I was behind the SOBO group of hikers, but in Sierra City there were dozens of hiker packages waiting to be picked up, so I guess not. There will likely be some chilly nights in the Sierras.   

There are a series of Wilderness areas in northern CA, Marble Mountain, Trinity-Alps, Shasta-Trinity that are beautiful and expansive. I suspect one could spend a lifetime exploring them.  I ran into many friendly hunters, some section hikers and a few stray NOBOs.  After Castle Crag and I-5 the hiking is less exciting and goes through a lot of logging areas.  Things get more exciting south of Belden. Here is the picture show:

Mt Shasta in the smoke from fires far to the south. 

Ashland, OR Mile 1716

Only about 30 more miles before I walk in to California.  The hike from Bend to Ashland was a a nice section passing Diamond Peak, Summit Lake, Mt Thielsen, Crater Lake, Mt. McLoughlin,  and hundreds of northbound hikers.  The mosquitoes were ferocious north of Windigo Pass, but practically disappeared after Crater Lake.  South of Crater I was passing 75-100+ northbound hikers per day, a few of which I knew from last year on the AT.

The day before hiking into Ashland was an eventful one.  I hit my first official trail magic with a cooler full of cold soda, beer, and fruit in the Brown Mt. Shelter.  Shortly before that I got stung by a bee.  Shortly after that I had my first mountain lion encounter.  A couple miles south of Dead Indian Memorial Highway, I saw something ahead in the trail, which I first thought were two dogs. As I got closer I saw one crouching down and thought maybe they were coyotes.  When I was about 20' away, an adult mountain lion was standing in the trail looking at me.  They jumped off the trail into the brush and disappeared.  I didn't see them again, but did pick up a couple rocks in case they took an interest in me.  The sighting was at about 4:30 in the afternoon on a busy stretch of trail.  I suspect most PCT hikers are within earshot of mountain lions on a regular basis and never know it.

Elk Lake, OR Mile 1950

I'm enjoying a day off the trail in Bend with friends, Paul, Steph, Theo and Nora.  Nora (2) is taking a while to warm up to me.  Theo (5) is happy to play. I'm taking a day off the trail in Bend, OR.  The weather in Oregon has done a 180.  Washington was mostly 40-60 degrees F with lots of clouds and some rain.  Oregon has been 50-90+ with nothing but sun and long stretches with little shade through burn areas, above tree line and on lava rock.  My hiker tan is improving.

There is an abundance of food on the trail.  The Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood has an all you can eat buffet, which is widely touted as one of the best meals on the trail.  I ate so much it will likely be remembered as the worst experience of my trip.  The food was very good, but it will be my last buffet for a while.  The hiker boxes are treating me well, as northbounders are leaving lots of goodies.

Next stop is to visit friends, Ryan and Jess in Ashland.

Picture show:

Tunnel Falls on the Eagle Creek Alternate Trail.  The trail actually goes under the falls, which is probably why this is one of the most popular trails in the US and most PCT hikers take the alternate route.

Cascade Locks, OR Mile 2144

I crossed the Bridge of the Gods over the Columbia River and into Oregon yesterday.  Washington has been much colder and wetter than expected, but that helped keep the bug activity down and there have been some sunny breaks for mountain viewing. It seems Washington weather is more often cloudy and drizzle than an all out rain.   I've been fortunate to meet many nice people on and off trail.  I started meeting a slow trickle of fast northbound hikers just south of Snowqualmie.  Overall Washington has been a delight!

The gang at the Dinsomore's Hiker Haven in Skykomish outside the Cascadia Inn, the local breakfast spot.  

To Stevens Pass Mile 2462

About 200 miles of hiking done so far.  The first five days of hiking south to Stehekin were amazing with beautiful weather, stunning snow capped mountain scenery and tolerable bugs.  The last six from Stehekin to Stevens through the Glacier Peak Wilderness were more challenging with cold and wet weather conditions, some snowy passes, overgrown trail, and limited views. Wet feet for 6 straight days and finally started getting some blisters.

The picture story:

Don and Pat, Warm Showers hosts, with cyclist, Penn, who put me up north of Seattle and drove me up to the East Bank Trailhead.