July 31st, 2020
Mile 326.9 to Mile 345.3
I slept in again, which is now the new normal. I broke camp around 8:30/9:00 and set off. Sheep Lake is less than 2 miles from a trailhead so I saw a lot of day hikers on their way in. I then crossed Highway 410 which goes through Mt Rainier National Park. Lots of cars, but no thru hikers hitch here because it’s pretty far from a town.
I crossed a bridge and was technically in the National Park. The trail goes along the western edge of the park so I was going in and out. There were a lot of day hikers on the other side of the highway too. They were all going to Dewey Lake.
I got down to Dewey Lake and it seemed super inviting. It’s down in a valley so it was definitely warm enough to jump in. I passed a sweet older couple with a golden retriever and they asked where I was headed. I told them I was going to Oregon from Canada and they got really excited. They asked to take my picture lol and had some questions for me. As I said goodbye, the older woman asked for my name and said she would pray for me. I don’t think I’ve ever had a stranger pray for me so I was kind of moved by the gesture. Definitely good energy to start the day.
As I walked further around the lake I couldn’t resist anymore and went down to the shore to hop in. The water was a pleasant temperature and I felt very refreshed. It was so nice to get all the dry dust and dirt off my legs. I tried to clean the armpits of my shirt but I think it’s a lost cause. That will require some strong soap and scrubbing. I laid out my shirt to dry and sat on the bank to have a snack. Once the shirt and I were relatively dry I got ready to hike again. At this point it was already past 11:00 and I had barely gone 5 miles.
I got going after that though and didn’t take a break again until the late afternoon. The trail today was mostly forested and I had some great views of Rainier when I’d pop up above the treeline. I met a NOBO hiker that had hiked the trail before in 2009 and was going for a Fastest Known Time (FKT) in 2012. It seems like FKTers go “self-supported” so they dont hitchhike. They have to walk into whatever towns they send a resupply box to. He said he was trying to do it in 60 days which is like 45+ mile days. I asked how his body handled it and he said that his body would keep going but it was mentally tough. He didn’t finish his FKT attempt because of snow so he’s finishing the rest of it now.
I passed a couple other NOBO hikers that were either just doing Washington or finishing up their hikes from previous years. They kept telling me a bunch of SOBOs were Zero-ing in White Pass today. I’m not sure why but after awhile that made me feel pretty lonely. They’re 1.5 days ahead of me and even after White Pass they’ll be a solid day ahead. I’ve also heard that they’re trying to do 30 mile days so I have little hope of catching them. I think the only chance would be near Trout Lake if they take time off there (I’ll be pushing straight through to Cascade Locks).
But for now I am still solo. Definitely pros and cons to it, but I will be very happy to see Emma, Maya, and John tomorrow. I’m feeling a little sad right now that I’m not with a group of thru hikers, but I have been lucky enough to camp near people each night. Tonight I was planning to go another 2.5 miles to Snow Lake but some comments on Guthooks said there’s dead deer remains nearby. So when I came upon some tent sites with people around I decided to call it early. Camping next to me are a dad and son out for their first backpacking trip together. They did 12.5 miles today from White Pass and are going to Dewey Lake tomorrow and ending at Chinook Pass the following day. The boy (maybe 12 years old?) was very proud of himself which I liked.
The bugs are super bad here so I quickly ate some noodles and got ready for bed so I could hide out in my tent. I was inside by 7:30 which is so early!! It’s so nice. I’ve been able to take my time writing this and I might edit some photos after. I think I’ll need to get up before 7 tomorrow though so I can make it to White Pass by 1 or 2 when Emma is scheduled to meet me. That will be my very last resupply! The end is near!!
