Day hiking delights in Central Oregon: 10/2-10/4 & the Journey Home 10/5-10/6/2016

Being a tourist for a few days is a great way to transition back to your front country life.... With a sense of "we can go anywhere!" that having a rental car has instilled, Hemlock and I contemplate our options.   After doing some morning shopping at the Bend REI (totally overwhelming at times - …

OR Day 32: 10/1/2016

My section hike for 2016 is officially over When I woke up this morning, my first thought was - "gosh, I hope the sting site is better".  Unfortunately, it wasn't - at least, not enough to be worry free.  Time to get thee to the doctor!  The staff at the nearby Urgent Care center were …

OR Day 31: 9/30/2016

I didn't think I'd be back here so soon.... Miles hiked today: 9.5, Cumulative Oregon section miles: 362 TMI alert: some medical misfortune being described ahead! Morning thoughts:  Not the most restful nights sleep - the bee sting was super itchy and inflamed, making for quite a bit of discomfort and fidgeting.    Therefore I'm …

OR Day 30: 9/29/2016

Happy Birthday Hemlock! Camped at PCT Mile Marker 2052.5, Trooper Spring Miles hiked today: 17.6 Today was a day of forest walking - lovely but pretty uneventful as far as views are concerned.  A brief glimpse of Mt Jefferson and 3 Fingered Jack in the hazy distance in a brief burn area, and that was …

OR Day 29: 9/28/2016

Easiest hiking day on the PCT!   PCT Mileage Marker 2079.1, camped at Miller Trail Junction (near Clackamas Lake) Miles hiked today: 18.8 + side trails to Crater Lake, Horse Camp, and Clackamas Lake - probably at least 1 more mile Wow, today was a virtual stroll through the autumn woods - for nearly 20 …

OR Day 28: 9/27/2016

Nero out of Timberline Lodge PCT Mile Marker 2089, Miles hiked today: 5.5, camped at Barlow Pass Ahh, the decadence of staying at one of the gorgeous historic lodges - I thoroughly enjoyed the experience!  Timberline is a great place - a CCC era building made of wood, stone, and wrought iron.  Just amazing it …

OR Day 27: 9/26/2016

Climbing Up Mt Hood PCT Mile Marker 2094.5, Miles Hiked 12, Timberline Lodge Only 12 miles today but with no gas in the engine (translation - I didn't sleep well last night), climbing a total of 4400+ feet in elevation went super slooooooowly.  In the realm of 1mph for the AM climb.  Sigh.  On the …

OR Day 26: 9/25/2016

Hello Mt Hood! PCT Mile Marker: 2106.53, camped just before Muddy Fork River, Miles Hiked today: 18.6 My longest day mileage wise on the trail this year - and boy did my feet know it on the 2.5 mile 1600 ft descent at the end of the day.  Tired and shaky enough that I took …

OR Day 25: 9/24/2016

Waterfalls and gorges oh my! PCT Mile Marker 2125.1, camped at Indian Springs at the junction of the PCT and Eagle Creek Alternate Miles hiked: 15 (plus side trails to see waterfalls!) on Eagle Creek Alternate, and approximately 4000 feet of elevation gain Ahh, a microwave made some nice warm oatmeal for a change this morning! …

OR Day 24: 9/23/2016

The plan is to follow the plan...until you want or need to change it!   Surprise, I'm now a southbounder (SOBO)!  When I got cell service again getting into Sisters, I was delighted to get a message from Hemlock - where was I? Concerned about the already snowy and sleety weather in Washington state where …