Uphillhike

Author: mmbowden60

  • Day 5 – No Hard Climb Today

    Deep Lake to Waptus River Campsite 7 miles Today I hiked some with a southbound PCT thru-hiker named Lucky. Lucky was nursing a sore foot and seemed to slow down a little allowing me to catch up. Lucky is from Modesto so in a way he is hiking home. Good luck Lucky! 🙂 Later in camp we met another PCT thru-hiker (northbound) named OCD. There are 2 OCD’s on the trail. OCD shared his stories around our campfire. Everyone was impressed with OCD’s pack that came in at only 16 pounds fully loaded with food, water, etc. He was using ZPack gear (backpack and 2 person tent). I’ll check out ZPack tents for my planned PCT thru-hike. I had a relaxing day. Into camp early. Washing up, reading my Kindle, picking blueberries for morning oatmeal, and eating lunch. Later, I walked back across the bridge and spent time on top of big rock enjoying the view of the clouds moving in from the West and on and off Bear’s Breasts mountain. Today was mostly downhill or flat with no long difficult climbs. Here is how I compare the PCT and AT.

    Trail Characteristic

    PCT

    AT

    Vertical Rise of Typical Big Climb

    2000 feet

    1000 feet

    Distance of Typical Big Climb

    Long with long switchbacks

    Short with short switchbacks and direct vertical

    Trail Surface

    Generally smooth and areas of tallus

    Generally rocky and rooty
    Waptus River with Bear’s Breasts peak in background.
    Thimbleberry, we ate many of these berries that break off in your hand leaving a berry that is open in the back like a thimble.

  • Day 4 – Cathedral Peak

    Desolation Lake to Deep Lake

    12 miles

    At Desolation Lake I slept without the rain fly and with the door open to enjoy the stars. In less than a minute I saw 3 satellites pass overhead. With a cold wind at Deep Lake I used the fly for the first time.

    Throwing bear lines has become a nightly ritual. The greatest effort was the night at Surprise Lake where we suspended bags across a ravine anchored by small trees that bent over.

    The two longest ascents have been up Trapp Pass and today, up and around Cathedral Peak. We also had creek crossings that though usually dangerous, were uneventful this year. I did some laundry at last camp and hung socks to dry during lunch today. I left the socks behind so I am now down to only the socks on my feet. My feet have been doing fine. A couple of people in the group developed hot spots or blisters, but these were treated and became no issue.

    Sitka Mountain Ash. we see a lot of it. Seven leavea on a stem with 3 opposing, similar structure to Sumac or Walnut.. Bitter berries are edible and Indians used them to marinate Marmot meat and Salmon heads. now that’s good eating!
    Climbing toward Cathedral Peak
    At the top. Cathedral Peak. Down hill from here to Deep Lake.
    Dan crossing spot that it has dangerously high water in most years.
    Mountains above Deep Lake
    Creek flowing out of DeepLake

  • Day 3 – Bushwhacking

    Surprise Lake to Desolation Lake

    6 miles

    In order to rejoin the PCT we hiked in the trail alongside the east side of surprise lake. The correct trail (if one exists) climbs to a ridge line to the left. We crossed boulders at the top of the lake and started spreading out as we ascended and bushwhacked up the steep slope toward Glacier lake. After a long time of yelling through the woods and redirecting all of us rejoined at the shore of Glacier lake. Together we made our way around the lake and up steep slope to find the PCT. We were soon climbing through rock fields toward Desolation pass.

    Early morning photo session at Surprise Lake while waiting on other hikers to break camp. Here I am attempting to get into “pose position” after activating the 10 second timer on my iphone camera.
    Got it right this time. Love those timers! By the way, Left to Right is Kathy, Dan, and me (Mark).
    Insane scramble toward Glacier Lake. This was only the beginning. With no trail it got worse.
    Glacier Lake
    Hot climb toward Desolation Lake. Zoom in and try to find some of our group on the trail in the middle of those rocks.
    Zoom in on the photo and try to find the hikers in the rocks.
    Above Glacier Lake. We actually hiked well away from the lake so I thought we would never see this lake again. For an hour or so we climbed only to circle back toward the lake where had this view. It seemed like if we jumped we would land in the lake. See Glacier Peak in the distance?
    Glacier Peak is one of the 2 most active volcanos in Washington. You can guess the other one. This bad boy last erupted around 1700 and has been erupting around every 400 years so you better get ready. Photo taken during climb to Desolation Pass.
    Glacier Peak is one of the 2 most active volcanos in Washington. You can guess the other one. This bad boy last erupted around 1700 and has been erupting around every 400 years so you better get ready. Photo taken during climb to Desolation Pass.
    Joe at Desolation Lake campsite. See the tiny tent on the right? That is mine. No rain fly tonight. Only stars and cool air. Ahhhh, so refreshing. Much better than the humidity of Georgia in July.

  • Day 2 – A Late Start

    Hope Lake to Surprise Lake

    4 miles

    Dan, Kathy, David, Dillon, Joe, Pete, Karen, Katie, and Matt are with us. Today, Pete, David, and Dillon had to spend most of the day taking Chris off the trail. Chris sprained his ankle falling down an embankment on his first day in camp.

    The rest of us slept, swam, and was mostly lazy as we waited for the group to return. Matt, Katie, Dan, Kathy, and I took a 2nd walk to Migg’s Lake this time exploring beyond the lake further north on the PCT. there was much blueberry picking along the way.

    The others returned and we loaded up for an afternoon start up Trapp Pass. Since we had a Zero day plannedthis week, the delay could be made up easily.

    Fireweed was everywhere in open areas.
    Climb up Trapp Pass
    My tent at Surprise Lake. . Dan had to move his tent when he realizes a large dead tree was leaning over his spot..
    Trapp Lake was clear Tuorquoise


  • Day 1 – Salmon Berries

    There are 11 of us backpacking from Stephens Pass to Snoqualamie on the PCT. The group ranges in age from mid- 20’s to 70 years old.

    Tunnel Creek Trailhead to junction at PCT on Hope Lake

    2.6 miles

    Saturday, July 19, 2015

    We unloaded the van and started toward the PCT. we picked and ate Salmon Berries and Blueberries. Hope lake was small but deep. I took a couple of swims and was never able to dive to the bottom.

    Great to finally be on the PCT!

    Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) sign at junction with Our approach trail.
    Hope Lake ,, Our first camp.
    Salmon Berry

  • Alpine Lakes Wilderness – Travel Day

    After a week of packing, making lists, repacking, and changing equipment decisions I am finally sitting at the gate waiting on my 10:30 PM flight to Seattle.

    My pack weighed in at 36 pounds which is heavy for a light weight packer for me. Reason for extra weight includes a real tent because I heard about mosquitoes and 7 days of food. Normally I pack a tarp tent and no more than 4 days of food.

    The plan is to hike 75 miles on the PCT trail over 8 days with Dan and Kathy Bowden and a bunch of their friends. Here we go!

    My back was sore and I couldn’t get in a comfortable position on the flight. The space was so small that my head hit the seat in front of me when I tried to lay it down on the tray table. Finally I got the idea to put my day pack on the tray table raising the level so my head could reach and making a nice pillow.

    I arrived in Seattle and set up a spot to sleep just outside the SeaTac Light Rail Station. Now for 4 hours sleep. Here I am at my first camp spot on a bench.

    Sleeping at the Airport SeaTac Station