Ashland to Crater Lake
DAY 120 (August 31)
To Little Hyatt Reservoir Outlet
21.9 miles
DAY 121 (September 1) | All flat
To South Brown Mountain Shelter
21.1 miles
Started walking at 6.30. It was a flat and easy walk and I had done 10 miles by 10.30.
The temperature was significantly different too compared to previous days and especially compared to NorCal. During my first break, I realized that for the first time, I was not looking for shade but rather for a sunny spot to sit.
Felt quite tired all day although I had slept well last night, guess I just did not get enough sleep while in Ashland.
Around 6 pm, I got to the shelter where initially I only wanted to get water. A local biker who was there already made tea and offered me one too.
As I had been so tired all day, I felt that getting some more sleep tonight would not be a bad idea so I set up camp there. Jamie, Sydney, and Frogman with whom I had camped the night before arrived later.
DAY 122 (September 2)
To Tentsite Mile 1788
27.1 miles
It was pretty chilly last night and I was using my liner for the first time since the Sierra. The sky was covered with clouds and it looked like they were there to stay all day.
I started hiking in my puffy towards the next water source in 10 miles and when I arrived there at 10 am I saw Giggles sitting there to my surprise. We had a coffee together and then both hiked on. I felt cold pretty soon during that break although it was not very long. it's September and fall is about to arrive!
Luckily the sun came out later and I could use my solar charger again to charge my phone. Otherwise, I would not have had access to any kind of map as I left my paper maps in Ashland. Not a good idea!
DAY 123 (September 3) | Logs everywhere!
To Tentsite Mile 1813
25.2 miles
I started my day on the trail with a breakfast break, accompanied by Sunshine and Giggles. While we basked in the morning sun, I took the opportunity to dry my sleeping bag, which had collected some early morning dampness.
The trail ahead was relatively flat, but we encountered a considerable number of fallen trees obstructing our path, adding even more adventure to our journey. As I hiked, my mind wandered to the unpredictable Washington weather, which had been a topic of concern for many hikers on the trail.
A sudden realization hit me - my trusty hiking shoes had developed a hole already. In need of a replacement, I made plans to stop by REI in Bent at the next opportunity. Our day concluded with a decent campsite, six miles out of Mazama Village, where Giggles and I set up camp and shared a hearty dinner together.
DAY 124 (September 4)
Arriving at Mazama Village, where I had sent a resupply box, I made my way to the general store. To my pleasant surprise, I ran into Eric and Bill near the coffee machine. I decided to grab a cup of coffee and a generously sized cinnamon roll, and we headed outside to enjoy the sunshine. The air felt noticeably cooler compared to the days before.
Reaching Crater Lake in the afternoon, I just stood and stared. How can water be so stunningly blue?