Frisbee - Pacific Crest Trail Journal - 2009

Northern Washington

Well--5 weeks between updates isn't the way to maintain a fan base, but it's been a heck of a 5-weeks.

I'm currently about 200 miles from Canada, at the Dinsmores (Trail Angels in Baring, WA).

Oregon was flat, fast (35-40 mile days), very hot (record heat wave of 105F in Portland and 14 days above 90F), and the most vicious mosquitos I've ever seen. Pretty much totally miserable until I got to the Three Sisters, where suddenly the bugs and heat relented, and the views improved dramatically. Hiked on the slopes of Mt. Hood, and crossed to Washington at Cascade Locks.

Washington was viewless during 7 straight days of rain and heavy fog. Somehow, I'll managed to walk right by Rainier, but haven't seen it yet (and doubt I will). I walked through Goat Rocks Wilderness, across a several mile long knife ridge, during 50-70mph rain storm. It definitely woke me from my usual hiker induced slumber. The last several days north of I-90 have been awesome. Great scenery, including my favorite -glacier carved granite rock and lots of passes. The next section north goes aroung Glacier Peak, and is widely regarded as 2nd best on the trail to the High Sierras, and it looks like blue skies until I finish in about 8 days, unless the creeks rise.

Entry 16 of 18
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