Ashland to Crater Lake
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 …
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?
Crater Lake to BLYC
Again pretty flat today and a fairly easy walk although there were another 2 junctions where I had doubts. My phone had run out of battery …
DAY 125 (September 7)
To Lower Rosary Lake
16 miles
Again pretty flat today and a fairly easy walk although there were another 2 junctions where I had doubts. My phone had run out of battery and I remembered from the water report that one of the water sources was at Diamond Lake which was indicated so the first one was easy, at the second Junction it said PCT to the left but my gut feeling told me it should be straight ahead. Also, there were more footprints in that direction. Hm? As the sun had come out I started charging my phone to be able to check in one of the apps but although charging was pretty fast I did not get any GPS signal. I went back to the junction and looking closer I saw an arrow on the ground pointing straight ahead. Bingo!
About two hours later I arrived at the Shelter Cove Resort. Giggles was there already, she had done an amazing 35 miles the previous day/night and had camped just right before the resort.
I pulled out my tent and sleeping bag to let it dry in the sun before getting a big cup of coffee (they had a real espresso machine and were also offering cappuccino!).
There were quite a few Nobos there that I hadn't seen since Casa de Luna: Mighty Mouse and Smart Bear and Stranger Ranger.
Spent the afternoon trying to check with Salomon for my shoes which started getting holes everywhere which was a bit of a challenge/hassle as there was no coverage and the WiFi was very weak. It took me various calls to find out that I had to send photos and the receipt for them to check for a warranty case. No quick solution seemed to be possible despite my insistence It seemed to me that the customer service person (who seemed to be from the UK) did not even know what the PCT was.
There was almost a little party going on late afternoon and more familiar faces had arrived (Koreans, Jammin, Fancy Pants, Jazzman, Blackout), I hiked out and made it back to the PCT and to a lake in about 6 miles.
DAY 126 (September 8)
To Tentsite Mile 1735
27.4 miles
Listening to podcasts made my afternoon walk go by quite fast.
Got to a lovely lake and this was once more a moment where I wished I could stay for a day or so.
But Canada is calling …
DAY 127 (September 9)
To Hinton Creek, mile 1963
27.4 miles
The day warmed up quickly again. I had a bit of a hiccup missing a creek and got pretty thirsty climbing that hill. In the late afternoon, the scenery with those volcanic mountains in the distance was quite lovely. I think I might have spotted the Three Sisters. I decided to set up camp by a creek under a welcoming tree.
DAY 128 (September 10)
Beautiful but exhausting day
25.8 miles
Surprisingly, I slept really warm although I camped close to a creek and a meadow. The first hours of walking felt superslow and physically tired.
Walked through a great volcanic landscape and finally the 3 sisters came into sight.
During my breakfast break, I was chatting with a couple from Seattle about rain and weather conditions in Washington. Before leaving they gave me some of their snacks and their phone number in case I am going to need something once I am up there (it's actually only 300 miles away now).
The late afternoon was a long and tedious walk through a lava field and although the views were fascinating, I was happy when I finally arrived at camp at 7.45.
Looking forward to breakfast at the youth camp tomorrow where I am going to pick up a resupply box and use the shower and laundry. Haven't done that since Ashland!
DAY 129 (September 11)
To Big Lake Youth Camp
First class breakfast
I heard Jazzman make noise and when I looked at my phone it was 5.15. A bit early but I was awake anyway so why not pack and start walking?
It was an easy and fast walk to the camp. A sign “Welcome PCT hikers” greeted me at the entrance and somehow I was moved by that simple sign.
I walked into an area with various small houses but could not see anyone. When I arrived at a building called headquarters, I spotted a host that was showing Jazzman around. I joined the tour and then went to a building called “the lodge” where they serve the meals.
Looking around I saw Savannah whom I had seen last time close to Warner Springs! She is hiking alone now as her friend has left the trail in Truckee. Also Detour and Cheeto Burrito were there, don't remember where but I had seen them before.
The breakfast was great: croissants, muesli, all different kinds of milk, fruit salad, toast, coffee, different kinds of tea, chai.
I spend the rest of the day doing laundry, showering, doing errands on the Internet (especially trying to order new shoes and warmer gear for Washington), and talking to some volunteers working at the camp building/renovating the houses.
Sidney & Jamie, Jammin, and Man arrived, also Twilight whom I had not met before.
BLYC to Timberline Lodge
I had not slept really well. Not sure if that was because of the cold snowy air (Mt Jefferson was very close) or because my tent was set up on a …
DAY (September 14)
To Tentsite Mile 2055
23.9 miles
I did not sleep really well. Not sure if that was because of the cold snowy air (Mt Jefferson was very close) or because my tent was set up on a slight slope.
I made coffee and tea to warm up a bit. Looking at the label of my yogi tea bag it read “You are unlimited”. Yes!
For once, I was grateful that there was a climb in the morning as this would definitely heat me up. It was a bit rocky on the way down on the other side of the mountain and it almost felt a bit like being in the Sierra Nevada.
It was roughly 10 miles to Olallie Lake Resort where I planned to have coffee and a second (late) breakfast. I met quite a few people on the way and had some interesting conversations.
Arriving at the resort which is super close to the trail (5-minute walk) I ran into some weekend hikers who were about to go back home offering me some left over food: various mountain house meals, energy bars, tuna, etc. No need to top up at the store! Almost felt like Christmas in September. Now I can get to Cascade Locks
In the afternoon, talked to Disciple who is “jojoing”: he went northbound earlier this year and now is going southbound immediately after that. Wow!
