Finished with Washington

Trip Start May 15, 2005
1
12
13
Trip End Oct 2005


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow

Flag of United States  , Oregon,
Friday, October 14, 2005

As usual, it's been way too long since my last update, from Snoqualmie Pass, Washington. Rabbit and I had a great rest day there then hit the trail for more southbound adventure. The first 40 miles were not impressive at all. Ugly clearcuts followed by pointless ups and downs followed by pounding rain. The terrain over the next 60 miles was better but the rain didn't let up. With 36 miles to reach White Pass we decided to split it up into two days. Unfortunately, this didn't happen. As the day progressed we both became near-hypothermic, and at mile 26 we decided to hike the rest of the way in to White Pass and thaw out. That 36 mile day was the longest either of us had hiked on the trail. We coudn't even stop to cook a meal so I ended up eating eight Snickers bars throughout the day.
We spent two nights at the pass deliberating on what to do about the next portion of trail, Goat Rocks, which lies above 7000 feet and was definitely getting snow. We decided for safety resons to walk around this area 01 -Thru-Hikers at Snoqualmie Pass
01 -Thru-Hikers at Snoqualmie Pass
 . First we road-walked 20 miles to Packwood. There we ran into seven other thru-hikers, all northbound. One, a friend of ours, had come over Goat Rocks that day and greeted us with teary-eyed hugs. He had battled thigh-deep snow drifts and not been sure he was even on the PCT. A scary day for him! Another hiker had entered the Goat Rocks and turned around. When he reached Packwood he officially quit the trail. The weather was getting us all down and for the first time I had real doubts I'd finish the trail. Day after day of wet and cold makes anyone miserable. Rabbit and I made ourselves hike out the next day and push on. In all we road-walked 47 miles, mostly on forest service roads, to regain the PCT. A couple wet days later near Carson we ran into two nice hunters. One offered to feed us home-brewed beer and a place to stay for the night. It was one of the best nights on the trail. Our hike to the Washington border went through some of the best forest I've seen. I'd love to get back there sometime and backpack at a slower pace.
We stopped for lunch in Stevenson just before we walked across The Bridge of the Gods, which spans the Columbia River. This brought us into Oregon, finally. We were then picked up by Rabbit's girlfriend and dropped off at Timberline Lodge at Mt. Hood. From there we spent two days hiking 50 miles north back to the Washington-Oregon border. Tomorrow we'll take a bus down to Ashland, Oregon and hike the remaining 380 miles back up to Timberline Lodge where this journey will end. I'm hoping to be done by Halloween.
I apologize if my writing has gotten even more boring than usual. I'm a little tired and worn down after 2283 miles, but I am excited to see Oregon.
Thanks to everyone. Please think sunny thoughts for us!

Tabasco - a.k.a. Drew
Slideshow Print this entry