August 8th, 2020
Mile 494.2 to Mile 505.5
I am finished!!!! I hiked from Canada to Oregon!!!! Finishing those last few miles today felt a little underwhelming, just any other day of hiking. But coming across the Bridge of the Gods it definitely felt bittersweet.
I started off on a descent this morning. I was very low on water and was on high alert for my next source. I came across a group of women that were about to break camp. I asked about the river below and if it was easily accessible. They didn’t recommend it. They seemed a little suspicious of me to be honest. I kept going until I found a little gurgling spring that cut through the trail. I loaded up and used the last of my Nuun.
The hike out felt a little odd. I think it was because of the proximity to civilization. Lots of dirt roads, chain link fences, logged areas, power lines, and day hikers. A bunch of hikers were coming up to a lake which barely looked like a lake (yes, I was spoiled by Alpine Lakes Wilderness). On the bright side, there was an abundance of wild blackberries. I was happily snacking on them and didn’t even mind their thorns scratching my legs.
I was running a little behind schedule and let Emma know, but she said it was fine. Eventually I popped out on a road a short ways from the Bridge of the Gods. I passed a couple selling honey on the side of the road and made my way to the bridge. The bridge doesn’t actually have a pedestrian walkway or shoulder, so crossing it made me a bit nervous.
On my way across, I saw the first other woman of color during my entire hike. Before today, I had met women out hiking (although rarely solo women), and I had met BIPOC men out hiking, but had yet to meet another woman of color thru hiking. I gave her an enthusiastic wave and said “Omg hi!!!!!” and she returned the wave and gave me a friendly hi back. We were on opposite sides of the the road trying to cross the bridge safely so we couldn’t exactly stop to chat. But she had made it here all the way from Mexico and I told her I was about to finished my section hike of Washington. There was a shared disappointment between us that we couldn’t chat for longer or spend any time together.
I made it across the bridge into Oregon and made it to the park to text Emma. There were a few other thru hikers hanging around and some came over to ask me about my plans. Thru hikers are very easy to spot and we seem to gravitate to one another. Then, I spotted Emma, Kaitie, John, Chloe, and Josh! They had all come out from Portland to meet me for the end of my hike! It was very sweet. We hung out in the park while I ate and we caught up.
Eventually we made our way to the cars and I said goodbye to Chloe and Josh. I headed back to John’s place with Emma and Kaitie. Kaitie peeled off to run errands and I took a long anticipated shower at John’s. I had Emma pack me a lot of shampoo and conditioner. Emma also took the liberty of going into my closet at home and getting civilian clothes for me.
And then, for my first real meal back, we got sushi!! A cute little place near John’s had outdoor seating.
We vegged around for the afternoon. I mostly scrolled on my phone. Emma and John both napped. We watched some Queer Eye until it was time to meet back up with Kaitie for dinner. My parents very kindly offered to pay for our meal out to celebrate. We went to a vegetarian place where I had a veggie pulled pork sandwich and a prickly pear frosé!! It was heaven.
Now we’re back and it’s time to sleep! The crew, mainly instigated by Emma, has decided to rock climb tomorrow. Which I’m sure my swollen feet will love. No rest for the weary, lemme tell ya. And afterwards Emma and I will head back to Seattle and my trip will officially be over.