PCT Day 93 - Horsecamp and Trail Magic!

More trail magic today! 15 miles to go!

We should have been there by 11a, but I got distracted with the huckleberries!

Once we got to the horsecamp, Connie a trail angel had a whole tent set up with a buffet of snacks and sandwiches! we stayed for a few hours enjoying the treats and good company from Dad Jokes and Melissa and Connie.

Back on trail, we stopped at Timothy Lake for a swim, then Little Crater Lake for quick peek at the natural spring fed pond- it looks like a crater in the ground, bright blue and a constant 34 degrees.

PCT Day 92 - Ollalie Lake and Trail Magic!

Since we didn’t get the 30 miles in yesterday, we had the remaining 6 miles to get to Ollalie lake for the famed trail magic from “OG”.
We arrived mid morning and were made egg McMuffins. It was soul filling. Thanks to OG, you’re an angel.
The owner of the Ollalie Lake resort whom we met in the general store grew up in the St Louis area. He loves the west and would never go back. Now he and his wife spend their days maintaining the resort and campgrounds in the area- living 40 miles from the nearest town.

The lake is gorgeous, so clear, and full of trout. They don’t allow summing and only paddle boats.

We hang out with OG for a few hours, our other buddy from the desert, Charm, showed up and we hear about what’s ahead of us. Timberline Lodge in 50 miles!

PCT Day 91 - Mount Jefferson

Oregon is getting better just in time as we were beginning to have low spirits. The skeeters have been lighter the last couple days and the scenery is changing as well. We are ascending and descending ridges. We’ve spent the last 2 days approaching Mount Jefferson and today we walked beside it and was able to see it up close. The day was hard on our bodies and we didn’t get many miles as we’d hoped for.

There was a lot of action today; we crossed two raging creeks. The first was from a a glacier that we walked across, I held my breath as doing so. I could see it cracking and giving way and being rushed down stream. The second was also glacier fed but from far above on Mt Jeff. This raging creek was deep and very dangerous. We must have scaled the boulders for some time trying to find the right crossing point. Finally we both made it across dry. There was apparently a skeleton of a horse down stream- a mounted hiker tried to cross the stream last year, her horse broke it’s leg and she had to be airlifted out leaving her horse to die. :( We also saw many of our friends from the Desert section who flipped up and are hiking south- Rooster, Smash, Cricket, Dip and Sia! We crossed creeks, burned areas, snow and boulder fields. There was so much incline today we couldn’t reach our 30 mile goal as planned. But 24.5 ain’t bad!

We reached the halfway point of our hike today!

PCT Day 90 - Separated

Although we spent yesterday in Sisters, we had returned to the camp that evening to sleep in our tent instead of splurging on a hotel room.

We got this morning and had breakfast with the campers, hung around the Hiker Hut for a few hours, then departed the camp at 10:30a.

The hike out was dusty, hot and barren. The whole area burned a few years ago, it was an unpleasant hike for the first few hours.

Matt, Joe’s friend from STL, sent us a wonderful care package full of sausages, Stingers, energy drink powder and creme brûlée (just add water)!

Joe and I often hike separate, usually seeing each other once an hour or more. Well after lunch I noticed on the dusty trail that I couldn’t find his shoe prints anymore. About a mile later I still haven’t seen his shoe print. Thankfully we had cell service and we were able to text each other and reunite. Somehow Joe absentmindedly took a side trail for about a mile. He back tracked and we reunited a few miles later on the PCT.

Today we hiked past Three Fingered Jack and we can see Mt Jefferson in the distance. Tonight we camped at Rockpile lake with a few other hikers.

PCT Day 89 - Zero in Sisters

We got a hitch from BLYC to the town of Sisters where we spent the day hanging with Dad Jokes, drinking too much beer and conversing with locals.

Everyone loves hearing our trail stories.

PCT Day 88 - Big Lake Youth Camp

The Oregon section of the PCT thus far has consisted of two prominent  landscapes whose contrast can not be overstated. The favorable landscape includes pines which are 80-90’ tall draped with bright green lichen. The forest floor is covered in small green bushes, knee high grass, and in between are baby pines hoping to see the big blue sky. In contrast and sometimes right around the corner are shards of a forest that once was. What’s left is black splinters scattered about. No life is left and the forest floor is covered in soot or loose first. The inferno which engulfed the forest must have been hell and even the biggest trees if still standing are long since dead. As we’ve hiked through Oregon I’ve come to expect one or the other and sometimes both on the same day. Even though the landscape is predictable; each day is new. Each morning a new sunrise in a new location, each corner or hill the trail leads us to is new. Never have we seen this exact scene and once passed its likely gone forever. I get excited each night for a new campsite anticipating what it may offer. The days and scenery may be predictable for now but each day is unique and that keeps it exciting.

Today we arrive at Big Lake Youth Camp, a kids Christian summer camp which allows PCT hikers to stop in for a night or two. They feed you 3 meals a day, provide showers, laundry, a kitchen and place to hang out and relax. It’s a beautiful camp and you can see the dedication of the counselors and directors. Anyone who opens their doors to stinky, dirty hikers are Angels. Thank you BLYC!

PCT Day 87 - Sister Peaks!

Finally some views! We’re out of the woods for the most part. We hiked past Elk Lake this am where we were told the mosquitos quiet down some. Well they did for maybe 30 minutes, then the head nets went back on.

Today there were meadows and streams and wildflowers, and Mountain View’s! And lots of day hikers!

The last mile was insane climbing and switchbacks on lava! The weather turned- a thick fog rolled in and most of the Sisters were covered.

It got down to the 40’s tonight, which kept us wrapped up in our sleeping bags while we cooked and ate dinner. 

We camped about .5 mile from Minnie Scott Creek with hiker PBJ.

Brrrrr.

PCT Day 86 - More Woods

More hiking through the woods... we’re not enjoying this very much- we need views! We both feel trapped in the forest!

And the bugs won’t quit. Oregon needs an improvement, and we need an inspiration.

We had a big day today, and I had to doctor my feet. It seems the seam on the inside of my shoe is starting to rub on my big toe. I need new shoes, which We both get in 2 more days. I hope my toe can last that long.

PCT Day 85 - Alpine Lakes

Although we woke early enough to make a good start on the day’s 20 mile requirement, we didn’t exactly leave promptly. We made breakfast and got sucked into the vortex- cell service and good conversation.

It was 11:30 by the time our feet hit trail- and though we hustled, we were slowed down by the gorgeous lakes and the weather. I couldn’t resist getting into the prettiest lake- Rosary Lake.

There was also a ski cabin open to all hikers that we found to be quite awesome!

We make our 20 miles and camp at Charlton Lake- and once again it was war with the mozzies.