PCT Day 107 - Mt Rainier

I usually have ambitions of leaving the hotel early and getting a good start after a town stop. Unfortunately this never happens as the temptation of the warm bed and hot coffee delay our start. Today we did pretty good and were on the trail by 10am. The first 15 miles were boring as we were walking in heavy tree cover but I passed the time by keeping an eye out for a missing hiker. Someone disappeared in this 100 mile stretch a few years ago and at some point we will walk right next to his skeleton. I’m sure at some point someone will stumble upon him and be able to give his family the closure they are looking for. As the miles slipped by we eventually begin to incline and could see Mt Adams and Knife’s Edge to the south. Both look amazing in the afternoon sky and made me want to come back even more to redo that section. By evening and as the ascent creates we could finally see Mt Rainier in all her glory filling the sky. We’re so close to the giant mountain and only now truly seeing it for the first time

PCT Day 106 - White Pass

We slept like babies last night as the rain pelted our tent most of the night. By morning it was obvious nothing had changed overnight and today would be another cold rainy day which would again limit our views of the spectacular landscape we’ve been hearing about and excited to see. I was shocked by the temperature when I pulled back the soaked floppy rain fly. The temps were in the upper 30’s at best, quite the difference from the three days in the 90’s from just a few days ago. Since there  are no views to see we hiked fast as town, White Pass, is only 15 miles away, we elected to skip lunch and made it to the Kracker Barrel Gas station by 2pm. The clerks let us sit in the station all day so we could catch up with our fellow hikers and recharge our bodies along with our electronics. By closing time we had a few good meals and bought some beer and wine. Since it was still cold and rainy we decided to stay in a hotel room next door for the night.

PCT Day 105 - Bad Weather at Goat Rocks

After we laid down last night thunderstorms began to roll in and they didn’t stop for hours. In total we had 7 rounds of strikes all around our camp site. It would start with a bolt in the distance followed by a boom, 5 Mississippi’s, away.   Rain would turn to heavy rain with the occasional hail pellet on the tent and before slowing lighting would crack directly above us and a thunderous bang would shake the entire ground. This happened seven times and we quickly figured out the pattern. Just as we wanted to relax we would hear another boom in the distance and know what was in store. The strikes were so bright we had to lay on our sides because the light was so bright it would blind us even with our eyes closed. It was extremely nerve wracking to know it was coming but at the same time it was so cool and amazing to be around such energy and power which comes from the energized sky.  It’s difficult to explain but I could actually feel the enhanced energy all around. After the storm was over we were greeted with heavy rain and wind all night. I wanted a good test for the tent, I had just told that to Madelyn the prior day, before we head south for the Sierras and it most certainly passed. I think if it passed last nights test then it will hold up to most any storm. 

I woke today exhausted from the lack of sleep the past two nights but excited to see what Goat Rocks Wilderness had to offer. We had breathtaking views early on of high mounting ridges, waterfalls, and jagged peaks which touched the sky. As lunch approached the fog blanketed the entire region. We tried to delay peaking Knife’s Edge but we could not. We missed one of the most scenic sections of the Washington trail which only leaves us wanting to come back for more, maybe we’ll revisit this spot again before our journey is done. 

PCT Day 104 - Enter Goat Rocks Wilderness

I dreamt the water was so low we were able to walk crossed exposed rocks. Reality hit me that it was just a dream when I awoke to the sound of rushing water. It sounded as if the water was even higher than yesterday, could it be true? The Adams Creek is a stone throws away and I was certain the water was going to be just as high and we wouldn’t be able to cross without getting wet. We all packed and were ready to observe the creek by 6 AM, when we got to it it seemed to me not much changed, it may have seemed a bit lower. Joe was suggesting areas to cross, and dad jokes pointed out that the logs may be able to be walked on. Dad jokes crossed the river on the logs first. And was successful. I was skeptical, I had thought maybe the weight and the rushing water would cause the logs to breakaway. He made it across very easily, Joe‘s turn, again success, so I went next and all good, then green lights turn. We all made it across safely and mostly dry. 

The Trail today was through wooded areas, but we did entered goat rocks wilderness. Not many views today until the last 5 miles, while walking on a ridge It had started to lightning and thunder and a fog moved in, it provided thick heavy clouds and a mist that provided a cool view of 6000 feet below. We could see some of the Mount Adams, now almost 30 miles away. I am excited for what’s to come!

PCT Day 103 - Mount Adams

The hike today was beautiful, some views finally. 

We got out of town at 12 PM and back on trail by 12:30 PM. We had close, amazing views of Mount Adams and it’s glaciers. Wild flowers were everywhere, creeks, and lava beds. Even Mount Rainier was visible off in the distance. 

By mile 12 we came to a river crossing with four horses and their riders and two hikers attempting to cross the raging creek on foot. Apparently one of the riders got across, but the horse started going crazy and left it’s rider on the other side of the river and came back across to join it’s horse friends. The water was raging, muddy and deep in some spots. 

We decided we would wait until morning to try to cross the river. Hoping the snow melt would slow over night allowing us an easy crossing. Green Light, Dad Jokes, and us camped near the creek and called it an early night.

PCT Day 102 - Trout Lake

More woods hiking today but we get to Trout Lake WA to resupply! The hike was warm, and some uphill, and some downhill. We get the 14 miles in by 11:30 AM and then we hitched into the town of Trout Lake. 

We shower, do laundry, and eat with hiker friends at the local café- where they have Huckleberry everything- Sundaes, coffee, cinnamon rolls. We met “Green Light” who I happened to already follow on Instagram. We have an enjoyable evening drinking wine and beer on the lawn of the general store.

Tomorrow we pack up and head back out to trail. We’ve heard the next stretch is supposed to be beautiful- plus Mount Adams is in sight, we will be hiking towards and around it in the next couple of days.