Day 123

Trail miles: 11.4

Side trail miles: 1.4

Total: 1906.2 

The hill was not so long but it’s always tougher in the morning. I had to stop at the creek to filter water, so I was quickly left behind. I tried to hike as long as I could without stopping. The mosquitoes were annoying as usual the whole day. I guess that’s just going to be the new normal. I just wish I could find some deet anywhere in these little shops. I made it to the campground around 10:00am and found everyone setting up their tents. I went straight for food because I started feeling nauseous. It didn’t help that the cashier was taking forever to find me up. I ordered chocolate milk and a frozen breakfast sandwich. When I started feeling better again, I grabbed my resupply box that I sent myself from Ashland and organized it into my pack. I have to actually drop excess food in the hiker box this time because I have no access to ship extra forward. Usually I just send it home with a couple souvenirs. Then I was off to the lake to swim! I was there for an hour by myself, then I walked to the little beach where everyone else was hanging and got in a second time. It was so nice to float around with no time constraints or thoughts about getting back on the trail. Then it starting raining, and the rain turned into a storm for a couple of hours. All of the PCT hikers were huddled under the backpacker tent hangout area they set up for us. I guess I was to keep us from clogging up the front porch. I had just started my laundry too so I had to walk back in forth in the rain to move it to the dryer. And my dumb mistake of the day was I completely forgot to add laundry detergent in the wash. Maybe I thought it was like an automatic built in dispenser. The shower was so nice even through the payment method was annoying. Every 3 minutes I had to get out of the shower and put 8 more quarters with. It was clean and hot and that’s all I can ask for. The rain stopped by the time I got out of the shower so I timed it perfect. I even tossed my rain clothes into the dryer for a few minutes to dry off the rain. Next I had to head right to food before the grill closed. It was a very sad burger and fries for $14. It doesn’t matter because the crawfish bowl trail magic made up for it! One of the car camper moms came over and offered us the food that was leftover and of course we went. There was a big group made up of multiple families. They had a massive fancy RV to host all of them for dinner. The food was good but the best part was that someone found a soccer ball and Brad, Krista, and I started playing pass with all of the little kids in the group. It was a lot of fun! But off to bed now because another full day tomorrow.

Day 122

Trail miles: 30.3

Total: 1894.8

First 30 mile day! We left all together this morning except for Raechel. Krista wanted to be together incase we got more information about the fire and needed to bail. Raechel decided she would challenge herself with a big day and hike into Shelter Cover which I think was over 40 miles. My feet were hurting pretty bad this morning. I took a short break at the spring, but didn’t get water until the water cache, where I took another break. We took one spontaneous break for phone service again, so another break for my feet. After the cache, it was a little less than a 4 mile uphill, which was alright since my feet hurt less on the uphill. We showed a southbounder how to check ArcGia for fire locations. That’s when Krista came and sat down for a bit because she was feeling dizzy. She thinks it might be the higher elevation. We sat with her until she felt better to climb. On the downhill, I tried a new strategy where I would jog the steep parts to prevent my foot from slamming the ground while walking. I think it actually helped! I was feeling tired and a little sick when we came up to Summit Lake. Oh. My. Gosh. Was it so beautiful. There were little islands with trees in the middle you could camp on and the water was so blue. We actually met two girls who were canoeing to one of the islands with a large group to celebrate someone’s anniversary and someone’s birthday. What a fun weekend! They gave us beers and took off. We went for a nice dip in the water and ate our dinners at the picnic table. Everyone wanted to do more miles to get closer to town so I followed. At least it was uphill so less pressure on my metatarsals. The first two miles were a breeze. We passed several stagnant ponds and Krista said it was the perfect place for mosquitoes to live. I said it was like New York City for mosquitoes. The last two miles of the hike were the most stressful miles of maybe the entire PCT or my life. The mosquitoes were awful. I thought I was going to have a panic attack. Krista and I switched being in the back so we could be in “leg patrol.” That’s where the back person watched the other persons legs to call out “left leg” or “right leg” when you needed to swat away a mosquito. I hope I came out of that with minimal bites. I haven’t been able to find deet in any of the stores on trail. I’m glad to be in my tent now safe from them behind my netting.

Day 121

Trail miles: 25.3

Side trail miles: 0.4

Total: 1864.5

I didn’t mean to wake up as early as I did, but the group beside us was loud packing up so I got up too. I felt good and fast today so I made it the water cache without breaking. I actually thought I missed the water cache and turned back before Spare a change told me there was a second one in 9 miles. I didn’t stop there long because I had a big hill to climb before lunch at the creek in another 8 miles. I was surprised I still didn’t get passed by anyone on the way to the hill. Near the top, there was service, so I was able to call my mom to help arrange my food being sent to Bend. I made it to the creek which was wonderful! But it was so cold I couldn’t keep my feet in for long. I grabbed enough water to dry camp and left early to get started up the next climb. At the top, there was a marker labeled “highest point in OR/WA on the PCT.” It felt so odd for it to be on a plateau of sorts with no epic mountain view’s. Just another spot on the PCT in the pine trees. We hiked about 4 or so more miles downhill (stopping only when we found cell reception) and made camp in a flat unmarked spot in the side of the trail. We got word that there is a wildfire near us so we will have to stay together and stay alert for the next few days.

Day 120

Trail miles: 5.3

Side trail miles: 9.7

Total: almost 1839.2

The campsite I stayed at was very creepy. It was in the middle of the burn section and I was all alone. Plus I hadn’t seen barely anyone all day yesterday so it kind of freaked me out. Especially at 1:00am when I inevitably had to pee. I had to play a podcast to fall back asleep. Mosquito city again when I woke up so I wore my rain suit. Let me tell you, I know I stink all the time, but when I take that thing off when I’ve walked miles in it, it’s horrible. Could probably knock someone out. I got to the road and walked it until I made it to the campsite around 7:30am. I went straight to the shower. I didn’t have shampoo or clean clothes, I just knew I needed to clean my nasty legs. It was a very cold shower yet again. They don’t get any better. I was able to do some chores like sink laundry and clean my spoon. It’s nice when it’s not all crusty after 3 days of dinners. I do my best but sometimes I leave it too long before I wipe it clean and it’ll be there until I use soap. The general store opened at 9:00 so I couldn’t go to breakfast because I needed to pick up my package and repack my bag. I got some souvenirs to send home along with some extra food I had. I ended up sending the whole thing to my aunt and uncle who live near here because my microspikes are also in the package. I might need them in Washington. The hiker box in the post office was the jackpot. I snagged two peak refuel meals!! And a large Gatorade. I probably should have kept the bottle because I need more water capacity and all they sold at the rim valley were sparkling waters in a weird tin bottle. Brad and I caught the 11:00am shuttle to Crater Lake. It was amazing. I probably use that word too much, but this really deserved it. The reflection of the mountains on the lake was beautiful. We found the early breakfast goers in the lodge sleeping. Then plan was to wait out the heat until 4:00pm and hike to the Grouse Hill campsite. I would have bought more stuff from the visitor center and gift shop but I had no way of sending it home. Maybe I have a problem. Oh well I can’t wait to see the pile of clothes I sent home after this is all done. And stickers and magnets. I got my permit stamped at the visitor center! One more added to the collection. We left late, which is good because it rained on everyone who left early. We could see it coming over the lake in the distance but somehow never reached us. Everyone at camp was complaining how all their things were wet.  All I have to complain about it how my group must be talking about me behind my back because all three of them came up to me on separate occasions today to tell me to send my camera home. I don’t have a problem with taking more breaks if that means I get to enjoy taking pictures on trail. Especially after a day like today. But it seems to be effecting their day more than mine. Well I can try it out when I get to the next post office which may be in Bend. I’ll send it to my aunt and uncle so I can get it back at trail days. Makes me sad since taking photos is what makes me happy. That’s a big part of this journey for me. Being able to bring home my adventure and post it on my walls.