August 4th, 2020
Mile 403.1 to Mile 428.8
Most people had cleared out by the time I emerged from my tent. Ya snooze, ya lose. I got out and started hiking around 8:20.
To be totally honest, today was kind of a blur. I felt slow all day. The miles definitely did not come easily. I think it’s because I started the day out with a cookie (a Complete Cookie that has protein and stuff, but still a cookie) and then later ate a whole bag of sour patch watermelon. That junk food definitely did not set me up for success.
It was pretty though. I went through a lot of meadows and volcanic rock around Mt Adams. I think this is the closest I’ve gotten to a volcano, I could see all the snow and glaciers sitting on it. I also walked around 2/3 of it so got to see it from some different angles. The wildflowers were amazing again. Paintbrush was definitely the most prominent this time.
After a stream crossing I was making my way back onto the trail and slipped on some loose dirt and fell on my bum. I had to take a minute to regroup after that.
I went through another burn section (we all know I love a burn section) and met an 11 year old hiking the whole PCT. They were with their dad and they seemed to be having a really good time. I was super impressed.
I ate lunch under some shady trees and got attacked by flies. I don’t understand why flies swarm people. At least they don’t bite.
After lunch I was coming down out of the burn section and fell again. Tripped and fell on my face. I scratched my wrists a bit breaking my fall. Even though I hadn’t seen anyone in hours, a guy passed me while I was on the ground. I told him I had fallen and he offered me water. I had to explain that I wasn’t dehydrated, just clumsy. At that point I was pretty done with the day, but still had 8 miles to camp.
I passed the road that goes into Trout Lake and considered pulling over to camp early. That site was close to the road which I didn’t like so I pressed on. I always do my fastest hiking after 6pm when I’m trying to get to camp.
The campsite tonight is between two rivers in the forest. I have a nice flat spot. Some comments from last year warn about mice but I hung all my food so I’m hoping I wont have any issues. I thought I was going to be alone about but a woman showed up right as I was getting in my tent.