July 28th, 2020
Mile 259.2 to Mile 279.7
Matt and I meant to wake up at 6:15 today but didn’t get up until 7:30 lol. I packed some banana bread for breakfast again and hopped in the car.
Matt dropped me off around 9am and I started hiking shortly after. I really really didn’t want to go today. I would have loved to take another Zero but I need to get moving so logistics work out. This way I’ll get to White Pass and Cascade Locks on Saturdays.
It was sad to say goodbye again but I fell right back into the rhythm of the day. This section has been pretty mellow so far, not a lot of elevation gain/loss. I went by Mirror Lake which I’ve done before as a day hike. I stopped to rest and eat there.
The rest of the day didnt even feel like I was in the mountains. More like rolling hills. I went under some intense power lines but mostly was in the forest. Because the terrain was relatively easy, I was still able to make it 20 miles by 7pm, even with my late start.
There was already a tent set up at the campsite but there was more room across the way. As I was setting up I must have woken up the other person. It was an older man named “Just Peter” that’s section hiking the southern part of Washington. He said hello and was very kind even though I woke him up.
I was making some mashed potatoes for dinner when a PCTA worker came by. He does some sort of ArcGIS thing for them and was out to check out this section of trail. He sat with me for a bit and we chatted while I cooked. This unfortunately woke up Just Peter again.
After he left I finished my camp chores and got to bed. I was a lot more distracted and slow tonight because this campsite has service!! Like full bars!! I almost forgot to write this tonight I was so preoccupied.