The Adventures of...: Day 149, 150, 151

Day 149, 21 miles, endpoint PCT mile 2565

Today started with an up close tour of the north side of Glacier Peak. After enjoying an alpine morning of wide open vistas, snow-melt streams, and rocky boulder fields, we dropped into a viewless forest for much of the day.

In the early afternoon we reached a trail junction for an alternate that gave us a five mile shortcut. The alternate went on a section of trail that used to be the official PCT years ago but is now unmaintained and left alone to nature's care. The five bonus miles came with a price: the two mile alternate was filled with downed trees, overgrown shrubs, and occasional route finding when the trail grew hazy. It was slow going, but when we finally emerged on the PCT seven miles further along than when we left it, we definitely saved ourselves some time.

After the alternate we began a long, arduous 3,000+ foot climb. This was one of our last big climbs of the entire trip, so I told myself to suck it up. When we finally emerged at the top of the hill we had views of completely new mountains to the north. Glacier Peak, which felt like it had been impossible to shake for the last several days, was now far behind us for the first time. The new mountains were steep and rugged and regal; the further north we go, the better the mountains seem to get.

We were once again lucky to have amazing weather today; it was sunny and warm, with not a cloud in sight. The forecast looks good for our last week of hiking. Every year some hikers are forced off the trail short of Canada due to snow storms, but we shouldn't have any weather issues keeping us from the border. Because of that, we are planning on enjoying every last day, taking it a bit easier, and slowing our mileage down to about 20 miles a day instead of 25.

Tomorrow we have a 15 mile hike to our last resupply stop in Stehekin, WA. Next stop after that: Manning Park, Canada!

Vista Ridge

This was no lie.

Miles of this stuff.

The bridges washed away years ago.

Natural bridge.

Back on a trail... yay! Suiattle Pass

Approaching North Star Mountain.

"Hey Carla... why don't you go test that bridge out?"

Day 150, 15 miles, endpoint PCT mile 2580/Stehekin, WA

We had 15 uneventful, mostly downhill miles to our destination at the High Bridge Ranger Station in Stehekin Valley. Stehekin is part of the North Cascades National Park, and requires a shuttle bus to get back and forth from the trail. We were an hour and a half early for the shuttle, so we sat and waited glumly. We had finished our food earlier in the day and were very, very hungry. It was a long wait.

At 3pm a big red bus pulled up and we paid $14 for the two of us for our trip into Stehekin. We drove along the turquoise waters of the Stehekin River, past occasional log cabins or run down pickup trucks in fields, until we arrived at the Stehekin Bakery. This bakery has a hyped up reputation among hikers for their amazing baked goods, so we were hoping for something great. During the five minute bus stop we quickly picked out cupcakes, cookies, and whatever else looked good behind the glass counter. I'm not sure if it was more special than any other bakery since we were starving, but it definitely helped to decrease our hunger.

Nearly an hour after leaving High Bridge, we made it to Stehekin Landing, the main area of the town next to Lake Chelan. We picked up our resupply package, bought more food for our last few days on the trail from the general store (we don't want to feel like we are super hungry during this last stretch), did laundry, and took five minute showers. All of our chores were done.

At the restaurant in town we met up with the two hikers we shared the hotel room with at Snoqualmie Pass, Buckeye from Tennessee and G-String from Israel. They had just gotten into town after hiking some very long days. We caught up with them over burgers and fries, which was a nice way to finish up the day. We found a spot to camp in the free Purple Point Campground in town next to Lake Chelan and called it a night.

We plan on taking the first bus out of Stehekin Landing tomorrow morning and starting our last section of the trail as early as possible. Our first 15 or 16 miles will be in the North Cascades National Park, which is supposed to be very nice.

As much fun as this has all been, I'm looking forward to wrapping this trip up soon. Next stop...Canada!

More and more fall colors every day.

Goodbye Glacier Peak... we will be back!

North Cascades National Park... our last national park of the trip :(

A hikers pack coming back from town... cinnamon roll strapped to the top.

Dirty hikers... beer, showers, and laundry.

Lake Chelan

Restaurant!

Day 151, 19 miles, endpoint PCT mile 2599

We got up early this morning, packed up our lakeside camping spot, left the Purple Point Campground, and headed for the restaurant in town. We had a quick but awesome breakfast, then got the first bus back to the trailhead.

After a stop at the bakery, where we loaded up on sticky buns, cinnamon rolls, cookies, and a few bars, squishing them into our packs for later, we were back at the High Bridge trailhead before 9am. We were excited to hike through the North Cascades National Park, and set off with high expectations of amazing mountain views. Sadly, we were let down. The PCT traverses through a very boring, viewless 16 miles of the park. We had no mountains to look at; instead we went through a tunnel of shrubs and trees. I'm guessing that there are more scenic areas within North Cascades National Park, but our trail just doesn't go through them. The one nice thing was the vibrant colors of the deciduous trees. The leaves were already turning bright red and yellow, giving off a festive fall atmosphere.

Our plan was to take it easy today, finish a little early, and camp at an off-trail lake near Highway 20 at Rainy Pass. Unfortunately, we never saw the spur trail to the lake (or maybe there wasn't a spur trail?), and our dream of a relaxing, beautiful camping spot by a lake was crushed. Instead, we hiked on another mile to the point where the PCT crosses a highway and made our way to the trailhead parking lot on on the north side of the pass.

At the lot we found a small, flat area under some trees. It was going to be dark soon and the upcoming section of the trail offered no flat spots when Josh consulted the maps. We stood in the lot debating. A noisy car flew by on the highway. The parking lot bathrooms were within spitting distance. This was definitely not a camping spot by the lake.

Reluctantly, we took the trailhead camping spot, feeling out of options. I'm hoping this will be our last lame campsite of the trip. We only have three more nights after tonight, so I want to make them memorable!