Winding down...but still lots of hiking!!

August 13, 2008

You could smell the smoke early this morning. I woke up at 1:30 and there was this bright light shining in my tent like headlights, only it was the full moon. As I tried to go back to sleep, I smelled the smoke from the forest fire east of Mt. Hood. Then the owls started hooting. One was nearby and the rest further away. The nearby owl kept moving closer to where the others were. At one time, it sounded like it was in the tree right above my tent.

Finally I got to sleep and woke up just as the sun was surfacing and bathing Mt. Hood in early morning light. We packed up and were on the trail before 7. It was very difficult hiking in the soft, beach-like sand, especially on the steep uphill’s. Fortunately, another hiker had created 'steps' which I used. It was also difficult hiking because of the gain in elevation. In the first .8 mile, we climbed 450 feet. Then in the next .3 mile we climbed 110 feet, which is deceiving, because we went downhill into a gully to cross the upper Salmon River (rock hopped across), and then climbed back up .2 mile and 60 feet later found us at the Timberline spur trail. We went downhill .1 mile and 20 feet to Timberline. We got to the lodge before 8 AM.

The Boy Scouts had stayed over, camping nearby, and were already eating breakfast. We were seated near them and Meadow Bruiser & Ole, a couple who are thru hiking. They had camped at a small site just before the spur trail. We ordered the all-you-can-eat buffet for $12.95. It hit the spot. I didn't realize how much I missed fruit, even though I eat dried fruit every day. I made a waffle that I topped with fresh marionberries and whipped cream; fried potatoes and onions with a couple strips of bacon, and at least three trips to the fresh fruit - pineapple, honeydew and watermelons.

Then we went over to the WY'East Store to claim our resupply packages, for which they charged $4 per package. I had two boxes because initially I thought I would be carrying 10 days worth of food to Elk Lake (going southbound). When our plans changed, my boxes were already sent. I didn't want to open them until we got in our room, and our room wasn't supposed to be available until 4.

Mother Goose got a 'used' Oregonian and we went downstairs to read it. After it was read, we decided to do our laundry, which is down the hall, through two sets of double doors, and down the stairs opposite the sauna. It was a stackable washer and dryer and there was no charge. There was even a box of detergent to use. Mother Goose decided to wash the clothes twice. After the first wash and spin, she started the machine over, adding more detergent.

Then we left to go have lunch. As we were eating lunch, a hiker came in. We talked for a bit. Patchwork is from Portland, and as his name suggests, started at Campo, got a ways, got injured, went home, recovered, got back on the trail at Ashland, and started from Callahan's a few days after we did. He expects to be in Cascade Locks on Saturday where friends are meeting him. I stayed and talked to him; Mother Goose went back to put the clothes in the dryer, but someone had already done that.

When I returned, the clothes w! ere dry, but our room was not ready. We went back to the WY'East store to kill time and when we returned at 3:30, our room was ready. We went to retrieve our packs and everything was gone. Apparently, the hotel staff bagged them up and put them in housekeeping. Unfortunately, they bagged up Mother Goose's ice water, which no surprise here, spilled all over her bag and contents. Then, I opened my resupply boxes, and decided what I wanted to eat, and what I didn't. Mother Goose gave me some packages of crackers and bagged coffee. We each put items in the boxes to take back to the hiker box at the WY'East store.

I had phone calls to make, so I took our donations over. On my way out I saw Red, Joker, and Croatian, young 20-something males, who are thru-hiking. I told them about the hiker box and they got excited. Hopefully, there were items in the box that they can use.

Mother Goose was not feeling well and was hoping it was not the undercooked hamburger she had for lunch. I decided to go down to the Blue Ox, but was surprised that it was closed; it was only 7 PM. So, I headed to the vending machines, and for $1.50, got a 1.75 ounce bag of Gardetto's for dinner. I really wanted Ritz Bits, but was unwilling to pay $1.75.

Tomorrow: Eat Breakfast. Finish packing up and hike out to Ramona Falls - about 9 miles. However, I hear that there is a steep section or two. We expect to be in Cascade Locks on Sunday, and back in Athena on Monday.

August 12, 2008

We were up by 6:30 this morning and on the trail by 8:15. We had a little uphill and then were rewarded with a downhill to Wapinitia Pass at Hwy 26. Across the road, Roberta, who has adopted the Frog Lake area, left a food and water cache for thru hikers. What can I say. Twinkies, Pringles, Butterfingers, and Clementine’s taste a whole lot better than a Fruit and Nut Bar. Plus, I topped off my water bottle. The trail journal revealed that Princess of Darkness and Disco, Lucky and Milky, and Rapunzel and her partner had all been through last week. This cache was near a TH parking area that had trash cans in the pit toilets. What luck, I was able to dump what now was 5.5 days worth of trash.

Next, came more uphill - 640 feet in 3.3 miles, before another downhill to the old section of Hwy 35 at Barlow Pass. Interspersed were spectacular views of Mt. Hood. I was surprised to see how little snow there was on the south side of the mountain. There were several day hikers and dogs out, as well as a group of four (2 adults, 2 children) with frame packs and a dog, headed to Olallie Lake. They were surprised that Mother Goose and I hike an average of 15 miles with our heavy packs.

We stopped for lunch at the new section of Hwy 35 near Barlow Pass. At this point, we were close to where we planned to camp. Mother Goose had been able to get a cell phone connection and Timberline had a cancellation and now we have a room reserved for Wednesday night. Yea!

This last section was basically straight up - 1200 feet in 3.6 miles. We stopped at a gully for water to carry. The water was rushing out. Then we slogged out the last .9 mile to the Timberline trail 600, which circles Mt. Hood. Who would have guessed that at this elevation the ground would be white sand - just like the beach. It is, and, of course, it's in the tent, your shoes, etc. We also see what appears to be an avalanche in the making. Part of the glacier has separated. We're hoping it won't be tonight, not that we're in any danger. It's the noise.

We hiked almost 13 miles today.

Tomorrow: get up, get packed, and hike 1.4 miles to breakfast. Because of this, we each have decided to tidy up and wear our town shirts. My pants are really dirty, so I'm taking the legs off before breakfast. I had cell phone service this evening and called my mother. After that, my service went away. My two calls were dropped. I'll try tomorrow from Timberline.

http://www.timberlinelodge.com/index.phphttp://
www.mthood.info/



August 11, 2008

The Warm Springs River was a popular place last night. Around 7, two adult men and three Boy Scouts arrived on our side of the river and made camp not far from us. On the other side of the river, I could hear voices, but didn't get out of my tent to investigate.

I woke up at 6 on my own, and decided to change my breakfast routine. I made coffee and ate two Fruit and Nut Bars. Then I packed up and hit the trail at 7:15. It took the Boy Scouts almost 3 hours to catch me (they started considerably later), and when they did, they relayed a message from Mother Goose - Stop for lunch. She caught up with me about a mile before the cutoff for the Miller Trail, just in time to see me trip on a rock and bloody my right knee. So at the cutoff, we stopped to administer first aid and eat lunch.

Then we got back on the trail and soon found ourselves hiking around the east side of Timothy Lake. Although there is a sign that clearly states that bicyclists are not allowed, that didn't stop 3 of them. One woman seemed surprised to see me on the trail. I wonder how surprised she'd be to see horses and riders.

Then we hiked to Little Crater Lake, an artesian spring that is fenced off. It purportedly is 34 degrees year round. I dumped my old water to get new, cold water. Mother Goose and I originally were going to camp here tonight, but we decided to go to the next spring, 4 miles away. That way tomorrow will be a short day of climbing. So, she took off for the spring and I stayed behind, going through my pack for more food. I was hungry and tired of my food. I dug out two packages of almond butter and my chocolates ate a few of those and one package of almond butter.

As I was leaving, the Boy Scouts arrived. We chatted briefly and they said they also planned to camp at the spring. I decided to turn on the fuel and barreled my way there. The first 3.8 miles were uphill, with most of the climb coming after the first 1.6 miles. I arrived at camp in 1.75 hours and 4 miles. Mother Goose had already set up her tent, gotten water, and was preparing dinner. I set up my tent and was just coming back with my water when the Boy Scouts arrived - 45 minutes after me. They are camped near us again, as flat campsites are hard to find.

All in all, we hiked 19 miles and my feet know it.

Right now we're at 3910 feet elevation. Tomorrow we start climbing, and plan to camp 1 mile past the gully at 5340 feet. That is a distance of 12.6 miles and will put us a little over a mile from Timberline on Wednesday morning.

Food-wise, I'm craving just about everything we don't have - pretzels, fresh apples, bagels, pancakes and waffles. I hope I'm not disappointed in Timberline's all-you-can-eat breakfast.


August 10, 2008

It was a chilly 48 degrees this morning at 7 AM. I was feeling great - no aches or pains, and hit the trail at 8:15. Although it was chilly, I set a rapid pace and had walked 4 mostly uphill miles in 1.75 hours. Since I was on a roll, I decided to see what I could do. Generally, I'm better at uphill’s than down.

It was a beautiful day that eventually warmed up to 70 degrees. The tread was good, although not as nice as yesterday. This trail goes through the Warm Springs Reservation, and on the whole, the forest looks healthier than in other forests we've hiked. Huckleberry plants competed with rhododendrons for space along the trail. Later on ferns competed with maple-shaped leaf plants.

It was a 10.1 mile hike that I completed at 12:59 PM. I did stop for pee/snack/take off extra gear/water breaks - about one per hour. I crossed the Warm Springs River on a log bridge. There are campsites on both sides of the river, but the sites on the north side were in the sun.

I filled my dirty clothes bag with river water and proceeded to wash my underwear. I rigged a clothesline between two trees, but found that snags on a fallen log seemed to be better at getting the items dry.

Ok - for the bad news. Mother Goose said that Timberline has no vacancies (at our level) for Wednesday night. Plan B - Hike in for breakfast. See if there are cancellations. If not, pick up our boxes, hang out and hike out that afternoon and camp. Plan C - Hike in for breakfast. If no cancellations, find out if there are vacancies at the motel in Government Camp. Go there. Eat breakfast at the motel the next morning and start hike for Cascade Locks. Plan B will get us to Cascade Locks on Saturday. Plan C, on Sunday.

We planned to take the 12:48 AM bus back to Pendleton and have someone drop my car off Sunday evening so we could drive home Monday morning. Since we don't have tickets, we need cash to give to the driver. We save about $15 in bus fare traveling on Monday. Of course, if we come in on Saturday and can't find a free place to stay (hint, hint, Dan), then that $15 savings is moot.

About Mother Goose - she is a legend (well-known) among long distance hikers, especially on the AT (Appalachian Trail). She has hiked the AT 5 times. She was the first woman to yo-yo (go up and turn around and come back without stopping) the AT (left Georgia 4/91 and returned 3/92). She said she did it because some male told her she couldn't do that "Oh, you can't do that.". At this point, she estimates she has hiked 25,000 miles, vs. my 900 miles. This is the 5th time she's hiked Oregon - because she says it's the prettiest on the PCT and the flattest. So, I feel privileged to be able to learn from a master and only have to pay my way.

Up tomorrow: We plan to camp at Little Crater Lake, which is at the north end of Timothy Lake, unless we get in early, and then we'll decide whether we want to carry water and camp a few miles further or hike 4 more miles to water. Little Crater Lake is 15.3 miles; to the next source of water 19.3 miles.

I can tell that this hike is about over: 1. I'm tired of my food. I'm eating half of what I prepare because I just don't want anymore. Can't make it taste any better. Tomorrow, I'm eating my bars (Fruit and Nut, Peanut, etc.) and seeing if that will make a difference. 2. My other shoe is coming apart at the toe. 3. I have a hole in one of my socks at the big toe. 4. I'm taking more pictures. 5. I'm thinking of hiking-related projects for this winter. 6. I've listened to all of my music on my mp3 player and want something different – audio book?

August 9, 2008

Last night was cold. We haven't had a cold night like that for quite awhile. I was snuggled in my sleeping bag with everything fastened down. We even slept in till 7.

After breakfast we noticed fog rolling in on the lake. By the time we had our packs on the lake was fogged in. We continued to follow the Red Lake Trail. It took us past other lakes where there were campers. Most of them had the common sense to build fires to keep warm.

The huckleberry bushes crowded the trail. Very few were ripe. My pants were getting wet from the dew on the bushes, so I stopped and put on my rain skirt. Then it started to sprinkle, so once again I stopped to put on the pack cover. By the time it started to rain, I decided to put on my rain jacket.

We hiked 4.25 miles to Olallie Lake for lunch. By that time, both of us were cold and I contemplated getting out my stove and fixing hot chocolate. Instead, I put on my full-fingered gloves and Buff, which warmed up my hands and ears.

After lunch, we hiked on the best tread so far. The Sierra Engineers were improving the tread, cutting downed trees, and cutting back bushes on the trail between Olallie Lake and Lemiti Creek, where we are camped. They put a new bridge in over a creek that feeds into Jude Lake. They brought in wheelbarrows full of organic soil on sections that were rocky or over lava sections.

We were able to hike 9.8 miles, take breaks, talk to workers on the trail, in less than 5 hours. Although it was very overcast and the wind kept pushing the clouds along as we hiked, it didn't rain after we started at Olallie Lake. However, it continued to be cold, and when we arrived at our campsite, it was 60 degrees. This, the 9th of August.

By 6:30 tonight, we had eaten dinner and retired to our tents. We have 3 more hiking days to Timberline. Mother Goose's husband is supposed to make reservations for us at the lodge, in what is called the Chalet - a polite name for bunkhouse. It is the least expensive, we think, option there. That way we will have access to showers and laundry. Otherwise, it would be another 4 days till we came in at Cascade Locks, and we'd be mighty ripe.

Miles hiked 14

Tomorrow is a short day. We are planning to camp at the Warm Springs River - a distance of 11.1 miles. One of the SB hikers said that we could expect good tread all the way to the Clackamas Lake Campground. That's 20.5 miles!

August 8, 2008

We woke up to another warm morning at Waldo Lake. As we were packing up a hiker came by and asked us what trail we were going to be doing. It seems that the man and teens were part of a football team. The rest of the team was supposed to have come last night, but didn't show up.

The hike up from Waldo Lake was not as bad as I envisioned. We then took the Minto Pass Trail. Most of this was through a burn area. Although the trees were not pretty, the wild flowers flourished. We saw small groups from the Northwest Youth Corp working on the trail. One group was working on a creek where a downed tree was preventing the creek from its natural course. Another group was cutting back overgrown weeds that were hiding the trail. One of the crew leaders said they were on Mt. Jefferson last week when they encountered snow. That's why they were on this trail.

Later on it became apparent that this crew had improved the tread on a large section of the trail. At lunch today, I discovered the stitching on my Keen hiking shoes is loose. In fact, I can stick my finger inside to my foot. So much for waterproof shoes. This is going to be interesting when I do river crossings. I bought these shoes a month ago in Ashland, so they have about 300 miles on them. I will be contacting the company when I get home.

Later we followed the Marion Lake Trail. Both of these trails went by lakes that are only accessible by foot or horse. Nevertheless, there were lots of day hikers and campers on both lakes. The TH for Marion Lake was a 1.5 mile downhill. We were eating snacks when two men came off the trail. They offered to take us to Detroit Lakes so that we could cut some time and mileage. They were from Salem and this was not out of their way.

Then we hiked 1.25 miles of the road when we got a ride with Paul, who lives at Breitenbush Hot Springs. He took us up to a gravel road where we got on the Red Lake Trail.This is a tough trail. First, there is a 1500 foot elevation climb in 1.5 miles. There are many false summits and parts of the trail are poorly marked. I felt I was going round and round and not able to get off. It starts on the first gravel road, and then you cross another gravel road and continue on the trail.

At 5:30 I saw Mother Goose, who was ahead of me. She presented me with some options, and I let her make the decision, based on her experience. We were going to camp where we were and get water from a stagnant pond. Mother Goose was looking for a suitable camping spot, and saw Red Lake down below. So, we got back on the trail, and after a very short downhill, find ourselves at Red Lake.

Needless to say, we are the only campers here. The lake has fish, ducks and birds. Tomorrow, we plan to take it easy (we hope), and hike to Jude Lake, which is on the other side of Olallie Lake. The resort has not opened, and our Yogi book warns not to drink/use the tap water. Then we will be back on the PCT and headed to Timberline.

Miles hiked today approximately 12.

August 7, 2008

We slept in till almost 7 and then started packing up. The restaurant opened at 8 for breakfast. Much as we wanted to order Huevos Rancheros, we knew from prior experience that having a full tummy and a heavy pack produces a very long digestive cycle. So instead, we ordered lighter fare.

We returned to our motel room and were about to leave when we heard thunder. We looked out our patio door and saw black clouds headed our way. Shortly thereafter it started to rain. Then the power went out. We ended up leaving our room at check out time (11:00), and sitting in the lobby waiting out the weather.

We got a ride to the Santiam Pass TH with a young woman who works in a bar at a lodge in Detroit Lakes. She was on her way to work, and the TH was not out of her way.

We started hiking around noon. This trail was very busy today. We met two SB thrus and lots of day hikers who were amazed that Mother Goose and I were hiking the Oregon segment (amazed because either we were significantly older or the same age as these hikers). The trail starts out in the burn area from the forest fire in 2003. The tread is very nice, but of course, it is popular with the day hikers.

Above 5000 feet we started running into snow across the trail. One section required us to climb up a snowy hillside. Another section was on a down slope with nothing to break our fall if we slipped. It took what seemed to be forever for me to get across (and not look downward to the left).

At our afternoon break we decided to get off the PCT and take trails at much lower elevations around the lakes. We know this means mosquitoes, but it also means we should encounter very little, if any, snow. Mother Goose bought a map of the wilderness at REI and is mapping out a day by day hike so that we get to Timberline 5 days from now. I forgot to mention why our packs are heavy - we are carrying 6 days of food and snacks, because that is how long it will take us to get to Timberline. My pack seems to always out weigh Mother Goose's by at least 5 pounds, but today she said her pack was almost as heavy as mine (and it's heavy!).

We hiked to the Minto Pass Trail 3437 TH and seeing a downed tree, decided to go the opposite direction (south) to Waldo Lake. Purportedly, the trail was .25 miles long - Straight down. I know tomorrow morning I will have some words to say to myself going uphill.

All in all, we hiked 10.5 miles today.

When we got here, we found Waldo Lake was a popular destination. There is a young couple camped next to the lake, and an older man with about 8 high school-aged males camped nearby. This group appears to be overly prepared - heavy sleeping bags and pads attached to the outsides of their packs.

Stumpy bit the dust yesterday. I found an abandoned set of Swiss Gear poles outside the restaurant. One pole was broken and it and Stumpy found their way to the trash can at Sisters Post Office. The other pole needed considerable coaching this morning to get lengthened. Even so, I think it is cursed. The snow basket is already gone and I have no idea where or when this happened. Then the pole tried to trip me, but I caught myself. It also has a lot of spring in it, and seems unreliable to support you when needed.

Tomorrow we plan to hike a little more than 13 miles. It will, however depend on blow downs. If there are a lot and/or the trail is difficult to follow, then we'll just get off at a road and road walk.