Trout Lake - Yahoo!

7/28/13

PCT mile 2227.5 (Mosquito Lake) - 2237.5 (Rd 23 to Trout Lake)

Elev. 3722 - 4209

**somehow I lost day 2  (7/23/13) of the blog while trying to publish it, sorry, not sure how to insert it. That day we camped at Rock Creek having hiked 11 miles.**

This morning when we got out of our tents we noticed mist swirling in the tree tops, it was cold and damp making everything feel wet. On the trail by 6:45 we had a 1,000 ft climb in a 2 mile stretch coming up that we wanted out of the way while it was still cool.  We kept our jackets on for awhile until we warmed up.  All the hiking was in deep forest, no views, traversing slopes and winding uphill. We heard a couple of elk bugle above us on the forested hillside, what an eerie sound!  Then thundering hooves as they crashed away from us down the mountain. Wish we could have caught sight of them.  

We stepped out of the forest a bit after 12:00pm and saw a couple we'd met on our 2nd day hiking. They'd spent the night at Trout Lake and were just getting back to the trail. 

On our 3rd try at hitching we got a ride from Matt who was camping with his girlfriend (she's in the car) and his big dog.  Matt had not heard of the PCT so we had lots to talk about on the 13 miles into Trout Lake. He lives in Portland and was just camping for the weekend. Thanks Matt!

Our first stop was for lunch at a busy cafe, we sat outside and chatted with a gentleman who had hiked the trail in '73 and '84. He had lots of tales to tell. 

After lunch we walked to the store where we'd each mailed a resupply box to ourselves. We talked to 2 other hikers there who were trying to find a place for the night.  We called the Trout Lake Inn and got their last 2 bed room. So with boxes in hand we road walked another mile to the Inn.  These are very friendly, accommodating folks. We did laundry & used their 2 bicycles to ride back to town for dinner and snacks after we cleaned up. A shower was heavenly and having clean clothes was wonderful!  I finally got to call home and talk to Robin, we'd not  had cell service for long enough to call family this whole week!

There's a list at the Inn of people who offer rides back to the PCT so I called until I found a man and wife who will pick us up here at the Inn tomorrow morning & take us back to the trail. Now for a clean bed, real pillow and soft sheets, zzzzz.

A Noticeably Better Day

7-27-13

PCT mile 2214 (Blue Lake) - 2227.5 (Mosquito Lake).   13 miles

Elev. 4637 - 3930

Bundled up in our down jackets and zipped into our sleeping bags we slept warm in spite of the breezy night. My back is much better once we get going and warm up. Once again Peggy carried my food bag for me plus we carried less water. We hiked in cool shade this morning and discovered that today was wildflower day!  Hillsides and meadows covered in white fawn lilies all with faces toward the sun. As we came out of the trees and were admiring flowers along the edge of a small lake we met a south bound (SoBo) distance hiker named Toucan who asked about upcoming water availability. Because we both carry maps and were almost finished with this section Peggy gave hers to him.  Mosquitoes were bad so both he & Peggy had headnets on. Later we passed a hillside covered by boulders and strewn with pockets of wildflowers that needed to be photographed!  So we took a break, here's a sample of what we saw.

Fawn Lilies

Red Indian Paintbrush and spent lilies against dark boulders.

Anyone know the name of this one? I can't seem to remember it.

We met day hikers A.J. & Kelly who also asked about water availability, they didn't carry maps- only GPS.  I think hikers should always carry hard copies of maps even with GPS & electronics - it's wise to be safe.   We stopped for lunch and met another distance hiker named Paul. After lunch we kept seeing glimpses of Mt Adams as we descended into the basin and arrived at Mosquito Lake around 4:00.

This is Mt Adams framed by bear grass, we also passed blooming patches of lupine, penstemon, pink salvia, red paintbrush, pearly everlasting & pink heather. 

My dinner was curried red lentil soup & vegetables over rice. The only food we have left after breakfast tomorrow are snacks for lunch but we hope to eat in Trout Lake instead! 

Our last night's camp until resupply at Trout Lake tomorrow!

Team Work Is a Beautiful Thing

7-26-13

PCT mile 2202 (a small spring) - 2214 at Blue Lake.  12 miles

Elev. 3541 - 4637

Neither of us wanted to get up this morning but after levering myself out of the tent and trying to stand upright (my lower back really hurts) I approached Peggy to let her know that I've done something to my back.  After discussion she urged me not to make a decision about whether or not I can continue the hike, just to take my time getting ready for today's portion.  She would carry my food bag and extra water.  

We did some easy stretches and she gave me Aleve to help with inflammation and pain.  We started out slow, I shortened my stride and stopped when needed.  The walking began to warm my muscles and I got a rhythm started and soon we were making pretty good time. Today the trail goes beside and through lava beds reminding us of central Oregon near Three Sisters Wilderness where we hiked last summer.

This is the edge of a lava flow to give you an idea of the morning trail.

 After 4 miles we began a gentle climb and at 11:30 had lunch, it was quick  because the mosquitoes were persistent! The occasional small pond was a nice change of scenery, alive with buzzing dragonflies.

The last uphill miles were in full sun on south facing slopes where we stopped at every shade tree we could - it was so hot!  We were rewarded with views of Mt Adams.

The trail finally dipped into the next basin and Blue Lake where we were camping for the night.  Strong breezes off the lake kept us from camping near the shore so we chose a hilltop overlooking the lake instead.   After putting up the tents we did chores like filtering water,  rinsing out and hanging up socks worn today so there is always 1 pair clean.  The mosquitoes are bad in spite of the breeze. 

Here's Peggy cooking dinner at our campsite, also a photo of the lake.

I so appreciate Peggy's help and encouragement today, a distance hike is such a mental game and she helped me keep my mind on possibilities instead of limitations. Team work made all the difference!  The back pain is there but not nearly what it was this morning. Maybe it will heal itself with careful attention to how I bend and lift. 

Brief cell reception today let me get off a short text home so they know we're on schedule.  

I'll send my journals when I get cell coverage. So far there hasn't been enough coverage to send anything so  soon there'll be 6 days to post all at once.

Sometimes It's Just Hard Work

7/25/13

PCT mile 2191-2202 11 miles

Elev. 1260-3541

We spent a damp and restless night by Panther Creek but got up at 5:30 anyway. This is a steep climb that we are hoping we can do in the cool morning. I had some cold leftover mashed potatoes with breakfast (everything tastes good when you're camping!) that I hoped would give me a carb boost. We carried 3 liters of water not knowing if the uphill was in shade or sun. The trail was steep right away but we made good time. We even did an extra 1 mi round trip side trail  to the top of Huckleberry Mt to see a great view.  South was Mt Hood and in the far distance  Mt Jefferson, then  turning to the north we saw Mt Adams and maybe a faint glimpse of Mt Rainier. 

I had fun trying to get this shot of Mt Hood through the dandelion!

The forest was beautiful in the filtered light and rounding a corner PegLeg saw a black bear about 40 yds away. I only heard it crash through the trees getting away!   

Once again we saw Mark (who we met the 2nd day) this time by Huckleberry Mt. He was trying to hike 24 miles by the evening.

Much of the trail today is in lovely forest where there are a myriad of wild flowers. Vanilla leaf, fading bear grass plumes, goat's beard, penstemon, fading columbine & tiger lily, daisy, twin flower & asters to name just a few. 

At last the trail descended to an area of new growth, tall bear grass plumes and some big old Douglas Fir,  there were lots of campsites scattered around and a tiny spring in a nearby gully.  We were the only ones there and had the pick of campsites. 

I have a blister starting on one heel where my orthotic rubs, I'd hoped it wouldn't be an issue this year.  I stopped & taped my shoe with duct tape and my foot with KT tape which seems to have done the trick. Because of biting flies we got into our tents until dinner.  Later as I was sitting down on a log to eat dinner I felt  a sharp twinge in my lower back that really hurt.  After going to bed I had trouble turning over or finding a position to sleep that didn't hurt.  I can think of nothing but being laid up with an injury and not able to hike out - or hobbling for 3 days to Trout Lake and having to stop the hike. Tomorrow will tell &  I'm trying not to panic as I attempt to get to sleep.

The Long Walk

7/24/13

PCT mile 2174.5 (Rock Creek) - 2191(Panther Creek) 17 miles

Elev. 1487 - 1260

5:30 is our regular wake up time, it gets us on the trail while it's cool, but because we chatted with Mark we didn't leave until 7am. We had a 5 mile climb from the river but my legs were rubbery and not feeling up to the task. We stopped and drank Gatorade & snacked hoping that would help, maybe I was just low on fuel.   I checked my GPS and found we'd put in 4 miles which is a steady 2 mph (and our normal pace), so we were happy! Mark caught up and passed us at the 5 mile mark and we said goodbye, he was hiking 17 miles today and our plan was to do 11.  The trail descended as we began to near the Wind River, it was warmer and warmer the lower we went & after we stopped to have lunch, Gecko passed us.  Peg took this photo of me hiking with the light filtering through the evergreens and vine leaf maple. 

Around 3pm we could hear the delicious sound of the Wind River.  Dropping our packs we rested in the shade by the creek side but I was hot so I sat in the river to cool off as well as rinse out most of my clothes.  Both Peggy and I rested, journaled and waited for the heat to drop. Here's a photo of my laundry with my pack in the foreground. 

We rested for 1 1/2 hrs and decided we felt good enough to hike 3 miles to the next bridge and camp there. 

This bridge had a boardwalk over the forest floor for a little way, lots of moist ground, shrubs and no place to camp, Rats!  The only thing to do was hike on.  We knew that in 3 more miles there was another bridge and a campground so that's what we decided to do. By the last  mile we were both done in and body sore.  The last 6 miles has been fairly level trail but was bordered by a dirt road that had more traffic than we wanted to contend with. We both feel more safe in the woods than near road crossings. While our plan had been to hike 11 miles today we actually did 17, arriving in camp at 7:3 pm.  Dinner and tent set up was all we could do, we filtered our last water in the dark and turned in.  One good thing about hiking this far, it positions us to begin a daunting 9 mile climb in tomorrow's early morning hours while it's cool. We both know we'll feel the sore muscles tomorrow.

As a side note, there's been almost no cell service so I will post multiple journals when I can.

The Wait Is Over.

Monday 7/22/2013

PCT mile 1255 to 1263.5 

8.5 miles

Elev. 220 feet to @2,000 feet

Robin drove Peggy & I to Cascade Locks today.  We left home at 7am arriving at Bridge of the Gods at noon. After lunch Robin walked up to the bridge with us in order to take photos as we walked over to the Washington side.  It was really windy and there is no pedestrian sidewalk, you just face traffic and hang on!  We made it fine, crossed the 2 lane road once we got over the bridge and then saw this PCT sign.

This section of trail has to get us away from the Columbia River and into the mountains above so up, up, up we go for the next 2 days, about 3,000 + feet! We plan to go slowly for the first 12 days until we get used to the roller coaster trail that characterizes Washington (and because we don't normally hike big miles - we'd rather enjoy ourselves!)  So after hiking uphill for 8 miles (we'd already filtered water) we began looking for a campsite. It was 6:30pm before we came around a bend and topped out at a saddle with just enough room for us to squeeze 2 tents in the flat spot. 

It was beautiful with the evening light filtering through.   After set up we cooked dinner, ate and packed everything in scent locked bags so critters wouldn't smell the food or any item we carried that had a smell.  Darkness fell only about 15 minutes later!  The night was very quiet with a small breeze.  

We both agree that it's good to be hiking together again.  

Just as we were having dinner Robin texted me that he'd driven to a friends house instead of all the way home  after dropping us off in Cascade Locks.  They'd all gone out for Thai food so he sent me a photo of his delicious dinner.  Soooo mean!  I was choking down dinner with gluey noodles that weren't quite done...ahhhh, hiker food!

Resupply boxes have taken over!

July 18, 2013

It's taken all year to comb the Internet for meal ideas, dry my own food & combine it into meals - then sample and discard what I don't like.  I studied my maps to figure out how many days it would take to hike between road crossings or towns. The longest stretch is 7 days. So I began to plan breakfasts, lunches and dinners, adding snack items, power bars, gatorade powder etc.  My food weighs about 1.5#/day, sometimes a bit less. If it weighs more I ruthlessly cut things out because no one will be carrying this but me!  The lighter the weight the more I'll enjoy the hike & nothing is worse than lugging food that you didn't eat all the way into a trail town.

Here's a photo of the kitchen counter taken by my long-suffering husband!

It took a couple of days to actually count out the meals and pack them into boxes to mail to myself General Delivery at a Post Office near the trail or to small grocery stores, resorts, gas stations or sometimes individuals who like to host PCT hikers in their homes! 

Here's the final packed boxes and clean kitchen counter!  Hooray!

I then gathered the items I'll take in my backpack.  This year I bought an ultralight Mariposa backpack made by Gossamer Gear out of Texas. It shaves 4 pounds off the weight I carry!  My old pack was very comfortable but the pack itself was 5.5# !   

Here's a photo of the stuff I take with me and my new pack in the background.

Power Monkey Solar Charger, ultralight down jacket, Packa rain poncho/pack cover, maps, compass, knife, LED, Kahtydin Hiker Water Purifier, IPod, journal, small medical kit, brush, Tylenol/sleep aid/meds,mosquito head net, Deet, sun lotion, organic soap, lip balm, silk liner, extra pair of socks, bandana, sleeping pad, long sleeve shirt, leggings, Jet Boil and fuel canister, food cozy, tent, down bag, food bag, poles and pack. There are some extra things like iPhone and ID that I'll add at the last minute but that's the gist of it.

I leave from Medford Monday to drive up to Cascade Locks, Oregon where we'll walk over the Bridge of the Gods to the Washington side of the Columbia River. Last year I hiked the length of Oregon so Washington is our goal this year, 500 miles in 35 days (not counting rest days)!  My hiking partner, who I met last year on the trail, is Peggy (or PegLeg as she is known on the trail). She is driving to Medford to meet me and we'll start the trail together on Monday.  

Let the journey begin!

7/8/13 1562 to Scott Mt Summit 1566

Had a slow and easy wake up this morning. We only have 4 miles to hike so we set out at 8:30. We'd only been going for 2 miles when I came across a pair of Gore Tex hiking boots set carefully by the trail. Neither Colleen nor I could figure out who would leave them so near the trail head. We made up stories about why they would have been left  and who would have had to leave them... endless possibilities!  

I tucked the boots into my pack and brought them home.  Before we knew it we were at the summit, and soon Denver drove up for the ride back to Medford.  Thanks to Robin and Denver for delivering us to the trail head and back home again! Our first order of business was a burger and fries for lunch!

7/7/13 1552.2 bluff past Chilcoot Creek to 1562 above Masterson Meadow by a small spring.

This morning I was awake to see the sunrise at 5:00am. The air was cool and I decided to go down to the creek and get fresh water before I did anything else. I felt dehydrated all night so I need to drink enough water before even starting to hike today. We took our time getting going today, both of us made coffee and enjoyed the morning starting to hike at 7:15.  Walking through beautiful sloping valleys with ponderosa pines and creeks I dreamed of having a homestead here and what it would have been like. Looking up slope I saw an old metal sided shack that had fallen down, maybe someone at sometime had the same dream! These hills are red rock and red soil, boulders strewn down the hillside making the trail hard to walk on.  We made good time (2 miles in 40 min) to Bull Lake, where we took a vista break looking down into the next valley. 

We will be hiking down into Kangaroo Lake for an extended break to swim today. Hiking up the hill to the top of the point to get down to Kangaroo Lake was a steep climb.  Down, down we walked reading informative plaques about the geologic history and flowers of the area.  I now know the difference between bogs and fens! Once at the lake we tossed our trash, washed up, had a snack, drank water from a faucet!  We decided to find a nice spot to swim and rinse our stuff. Swimming was wonderful and at last Colleen got all the way in!

After resting for a couple of hours we ate lunch, I had Mt House scrambled eggs and bacon from Colleen and she made mashed potatoes, yum! Beginning the hike back up to the top of the peak we took it one step at a time, slowly, slowly up to the top, WHEW! Once at the top we did the victory Whoop! We went 2 miles and rested under a tree from the heat of the afternoon and I got a text from Robin.  He sent me pics of a party he'd been to, pics of food, food & more food... Soooo mean!! 

Rounding a corner we came upon azalea bushes, white and pink, smelling sooo sweet. I've not seen azaleas on the trail yet but we must have crossed some invisible line where we're now closer to the coast and the weather is milder. There was a wonderful cold spring at 1560 that was so refreshing, we filled all our bottles.  Approaching our camp spot we crossed a small spring and green meadow where Colleen saw a fawn lying in the meadow, we could only see it's head and big ears above the grass, lying still like Mama said to. In the trees we found a good camp spot for both tents and set up camp at 5:20. Dinner and reading in the tent til dark, we could hear an owl in the forest and some strange noises we can't quite figure out. Darkness fell fast tonight, we don't need to leave early tomorrow since the Scott Mt Summit is only 4 miles away and Denver will pick us up at 11:15. 

Azaleas and Tiger Lily at the spring.

7/6/13 mile 1537 Porcupine Lake to 1552.2 just beyond Chilcoot Creek.

Porcupine Lake is at 7194 elev and I could feel the cold last night. I don't usually sleep inside my bag but I did last night. We got on the trail by 6:50, Judith had already left and Dave was just getting up. We rounded a corner and walked into a completely different world. This one has red soil and big red boulders that are black inside when they break open.  Ponderosa Pine trees grow tall here or they cram their roots into rock crevases and hang on for dear life! Not much grows easily in this red soil. Dave passed us hiking north and then we met our first thru hikers; Juice, Snickers and Deer Hunter. Nice guys, Snickers is from Portland and Deer Hunter from Missouri. Juice didn't stop to talk.  We hiked over a saddle and into another valley along the shady west side of the mountains. Here there are more granite boulders and rock strewn trail as we came to Deadfall Lakes at 10:00. There are many tents and dogs here on the 4th of July weekend since it's an easy 3 mile hike from the trailhead.

DeadFall Lake

 We rested by the lake, filtered water, which we were not happy about since dogs and people are using it and hiked back onto the PCT.  Not 1/4 mi down trail and we found a spring gushing from a rock across the trail!  We dumped all our water and refilled from the spring without bothering with the filter. It was good water! Hiking from Deadfall Lakes to the trail head was only 3 miles and we must have seen 70 people with maybe 20 dogs day hiking or backpacking into the lake today (which is Saturday).  These beautiful lakes really get high use because they're very accessible, at the trailhead we counted 30 cars!  We crossed the access road and moved on down the trail away from civilization and cars.  2 miles and around a corner we were in red soil and boulders again. Colleen took my photo against the deep red rock and blue of the sky.

The trail takes a big U curve going 4 miles around this valley coming out at  Cement Bluff, boulders held together by soil that looks like it could all disintegrate in a hard rain. 

We took a break at the trail top where it met this bluff but didn't feel comfortable hiking onto it.  We could see people down in the valley riding 4 wheelers to the little lake below.  Continuing on we knew we were camping by Chilcoot Creek, 2 more miles.  Wow, mosquitoes were terrible at Chilcoot Creek, we didn't even stop until we got to the top of the ridge .2 miles beyond it. At the top was a viewpoint that we scouted for a camp spot. We found one spot and expanded it to fit 2 tents, moving rocks and smoothing the dirt.  

Looking out over the view we could see 6.5 miles back to the trailhead, even see the shine of cars parked there! It was 4:30 and hot in the sun so we unpacked and made dinner. I fixed mashed potatoes and opened a Spam single... I don't like Spam but have to admit it tasted really good that night!  Clouds are rolling in so we did a walk through of a storm scenario. What to do if lightening strikes close by.  We selected a low spot away from our tents which are underneath the tallest trees on the point. We agreed to leave all things having a metal part, only taking our sleeping bags with us and squatting down making ourselves small (I've since learned that I should cover my ears).  Luckily, during the night the clouds went away with no rain or thunder. This was a really beautiful campsite.

7/5/13 mile 1525 to 1537 Porcupine Lake

Sunrise over my tent this morning.

We started hiking at 6:55 this morning after a cool night at 6600 ft. The air is crisp, great hiking weather as we made our way into this new valley.  There are beautiful lakes below us but the PCT follows the high ridge and we don't go near them.  Echo Lake sits beneath the rock face in the above pic and I really want to be there! This is called 7 lakes basin and we see many more lakes dotting the valley before we climb over the saddle at Trinity Divide where we decided to take a break and enjoy the view of 2 valleys, one on either side of the divide.  

Here's Colleen enjoying the view.

Today it's mostly even terrain as we make our way to Gumshoe Lake which can be accessed by car via Rd 26. Just a little past the lake we saw a sign for Picayune Spring 800 ft down a side trail. We left our packs and walked down, filled water from this cold clear spring and hiked back up. It was a steep climb but so worth the great water.  We hiked another 3 miles and rested on a mt. side for lunch, shoes off under a big ponderosa tree.  That afternoon the trail continued,  winding over saddles and across dry hillsides dotted with springs  that created bright green swathes carpeted with wildflowers and patches of Darlingtonia (carniverous pitcher plants), wild onion, blue toad flax and many more.  I'm beginning to be tired, needing to stop and take water breaks as we hike over boulder strewn trail. I know the lake we plan to overnight at is close so Colleen is going ahead. As I round the corner she calls out to me to take the side trail uphill to Porcupine Lake. It's a  1/4 mi uphill trail that is picturesque, lined with huge boulders and stunted trees I just know the lake is going to be like a postcard. I met an older man day hiking with his dog who lives in Mt Shasta and likes to hike and camp off the beaten path. We chatted a few minutes and he told me we're the only ones at the lake today. Colleen and I came into view of the lake and could only stare and sigh. It's just lovely and we are the only people here.  We chose a tent site, dropped our packs and went to the lakeside to see it all.

I ended up swimming and rinsing out my clothes, it was wonderful to feel clean and cool. Later Colleen and I walked a little way around on the boulders to a shallow where 5-8" trout are jumping completely out of the water for bugs. We lay on the big boulders watching for awhile. 2 more people joined us at the lake, one is a single lady of 61 named Judith who lives on the coast and hikes the PCT by parking by a trailhead and hiking in and back on both sides of the trail because she doesn't have anyone to shuttle the car or pick her up. She's done most of Ca & Or doing this and still has much of Wa to hike.  The other person was a mid 50s man, Dave, from the UK hiking from Donner's Pass, Ca to Canada if he can make it that far.  

Dinner tonight was black beans & rice with noodles that should have cooked longer but I was too hungry!  Judith brought us a choc chip cookie to split.  

2 day hikers came in on a 12 mile round trip from Gumshoe Lake where we were this morning.  

Bedtime 8:15pm

Hiked 11.5 mi today.

7/4/13 mile 1516.5 Burstarse Creek to 1525 hilltop near Soapstone Trail.

Happy Birthday America! What better way to celebrate that reveling in the natural beauty of this great country!

Last night was warm and I only used a corner of my sleeping bag for cover off and on. I heard the wind in the tree tops around 2am but only a few puffs found their way into my tent. There was one little squirrel chirping quietly from the nest of a nearby tree & other than that it was quiet. With a mosquito head net on we took down tents, had breakfast and packed up. Today is a 2180 ft elev gain in switchbacks up the granite rock trail climbing off the crags to the mountain beside it. Even after getting off the crags the trail goes uphill all day to our camp spot. We crept up, up, up until we were eyeing the tops of the crags and were out of the trees.  Looking back over our morning climb we could see the trail we'd come up on, just a tiny thread across the granite hillside. It took 3 hours to go 4 miles, slow and steady (with much huffing and puffing!) we made it!!  

We rested then hiked on looking for our next water source since we needed to fill up for our dry camp in the evening. We passed over one creek and planned to use the next one but it was a mud hole. We thought we had one more source so hiked on keeping a lookout for the stream. We stopped after awhile and both of us got our maps out, we should have found water by now, what happened? The mud hole had been the last water source!  We should have filled up when we passed the  first flowing stream. Ugh!  After discussion we decided to backtrack 1.6 mi to the nice flowing stream and fill up. We found a wide airy spot to leave our packs in the shade of some huge Douglas Fir trees and taking just our filter and bottles in a carrying bag we hiked back and filled every bottle we had; drinking our fill and getting clothing and bandanas wet to cool off. Coming back up the trail to our packs we met 3 women doing an overnight hike. The first people we'd met in 1 1/2 days. 

  Once back with our packs we had lunch and waited out the hot hours after that extra 3.2 miles! The sun has been hot since 10:30 when the overcast skies cleared.  We don't have much farther to go to reach our campsite tonight so at 3:00 we were back on the trail. We are steadily going uphill and can now look across the valley back at Castle Crags where we hiked this morning plus Mt Shasta has appeared in the view.  It's just a stunningly beautiful site! We can see the saddle that we go over tomorrow and where we'll camp tonight but the last mile is an uphill that doesn't seem to end. Altogether today we gained 3500 ft and are camping at elev 6672 which helps explain our fatigue at this altitude. There's a nice breeze as we pitch tents in the trees atop this saddle and make dinner. My dinner is tortellini and Colleen is having Mac & Cheese. We should see sunrise from our mountaintop tomorrow morning when the alarm gets us up at 5:30. 

5 1/2 day pack trip from Castella, Ca to Hwy 3 on the PCT

7/3/13 7:30am

 My husband, Robin,  drove Colleen & I from Medford, Oregon down to Castella, Ca this morning to start our first backpacking trip of the summer. It's been really hot in Medford (105 the other day!) so we got an early start hoping to beat the heat.  Robin dropped us at the trailhead at 9:45, it had rained here recently and was humid and warm as we found the trail and began hiking at mile 1506.5 by the PCT maps. These first days are short mileage days because we want to start slowly and get used to pack weight, shoes, heat etc. We also decided to enjoy ourselves v.s. going for mileage. This first day is 9.5 miles of up and down with elev. gain 2415 and loss 1204. As we started hiking we were immediately hot and wet with humidity and exertion so we discussed waiting out the heat mid day if necessary. We wet our bandanas at a small spring as we walked and eventually found ourselves on the back side of Castle Crags looking up at the magnificent granite spires. About 1:00 we stopped at a small stream under shady firs and a few aspen where we took off our shoes, lay down to rest and eat some lunch. We ended up staying for awhile to wait out  the heat.  Mosquitoes are out and Deet is our new friend!  At 3:30 we loaded up and began hiking again, it had become overcast just before we started off which helped us quite a bit although it was still humid. The trail switch backed higher up the back of the crags until we found our camp spot at Burstarse Creek, at 6:30pm mile 1516 elev 3,486.  This creek is almost dried up but for a small trickle that gives us just what we need for cooking, a bandana rinse, and water for tomorrow. I can imagine water racing down this boulder strewn creek bed when the spring snow is melting. Donning our mosquito head nets  we got our tents up, and dinner made, mine was Thai noodles with dried veg & Colleen had Mt House spaghetti & meat.  A few rain drops fell but never developed into anything serious. We were in bed at 8:30 having seen no other hikers at all today.

July 1, 2013 Day hike into Blue Lake Southern Oregon

Today is supposed to be hot in the Rogue Valley,  Carrie and I plan on leaving around 8 am for the hour + drive to the trailhead, the hike is 4 miles round trip.  By 9:00 it was almost 90 but it had lowered to mid 80s in the forest as we drove higher into the mountains. We started hiking and immediately were surrounded by mosquitoes, the bane of Oregon hikers.  Luckily we had Deet which helped a bunch  but Carrie had already become a meal, bites all over the backs of her legs. It was a down hill hike into the lake, we met 3 hikers coming out as we went in.  Blue Lake is situated at the base of a cliff with boulders strewn down the mountain side and into the lake at one end.  We made our way to the boulder field where there had always been a log sticking out that we'd used as a jump off into the lake. This lake has been the site of many of our family backpack trips in the past, we hadn't been back for 12 years so this was a place full of fun memories for us both. After a nice lunch and cool swim we decided to look for the spring that we remembered was a quick walk from the end of the lake. We wandered down a wrong trail for a mile or so but as we backtracked we found our side trail to the spring. We were looking for a log fence structure surrounding the spring but over the years it had decayed and fallen down.  We studied the trail side as we walked along and finally saw the tiny spring bubbling out of the ground cold and clear. When we filled up bottles taking deep drinks we had to hold our hands over our throats as the water froze mouths!  What a treat on a really hot day! Once we'd cameled up we looked around at the setting, found a small Leopard Frog in the cold water,  pretty flowers bloomed all around this marshy meadow. Much as I wanted to rest longer we needed to get back up the trail and to the car.  Round trip this was a short hike to a beautiful basin, lots of other lakes to visit and poke around if we'd had more time. Driving back to the Rogue Valley the temperature showed 105!! It was a great day to spend in the mountains.