Snuffy’s 2013 Pacific Crest Trail August 21 & 22

Destination: Hart’s Pass

Start Location: Mile 2614.75

Trip Miles: 476.73

The day before, we had decided to meet up for breakfast at 2620, so I got up and headed out at 5:15am to make it there by 8am. Yes, I started in the dark. Enjoyed a beautiful sunrise.

Well, when I got to the Brush Creek campsite @ 6:30pm, 3 miles down the trail, I found the trail crew and also noticed a few odd things. On the side of the trail were water bottles, cookware and a bear canister that all looked familiar.

Crossing the bridge over the creek, I encountered a tent blocking the trail, also familiar. Hmmm, my fellow hikers.   It was only 6:30, so I let them sleep and went to sit where their gear was. It was when I got up to take a picture of their tent, Laura peeked out. Breakfast time!

 

 

I must admit it was one of the most nourishing breakfasts I have eaten in awhile, both nutritionally and emotionally. They had packed in apples and bananas, a treat for me on the trail. What wonderful women I am blessed to know.  Also, the hot cocoa/Starbucks Via I had helped push me up to Glacier Pass.

It was here that I realized I forgot my bathroom bag @ Methow river. It carries my TP, something to dig with and an opsak to pack out TP.  I had checked around camp before leaving but because I had done laundry in the dark away from camp, I must have left it further in the woods.

Bummer, but not a disaster. Nancy loaned me a little TP and I planned to get more at the campground at Hart’s Pass. Luckily, I had read some information earlier on what to use in nature and my tent stakes would have to do as a digging instrument. Only 3 more days…

I left at 8:45 and headed up to Glacier Pass. Not much water, the reason my friends had not camped here but pushed on to Brush Creek which ended up being occupied by the work crew.

I found a spring at 2624 that was delicious, but quite popular as camp spot with multiple tents set up. They were not above where the campsites actually were but right along the spring.  Ugh, people.

As I hiked on to Grasshopper Pass, I ran into Vicki, a dayhiker who was enjoying talking to PCT hikers, looking for inspiration to hike PCT herself.

 

My shoulders are complaining more and more because I can’t take the weight off at the hips, that darn hip belt won’t cinch tight enough. However, it was a good day for my right knee, no problems all day.

I was a little skimpy on the pictures today, more wary of running out of room. I came up over the last pass and down to Hart’s, and I could see Slate Peak and the parking area. I have been here twice before via the road but it’s not the same today. I walked here! Here I come!

I made it to Hart’s Pass by 3pm, caught up with Latestart (Barb). The first thing she asks me is if I was friends with those ‘three women hikers’. Why, yes I am, I say.   She then talked about how friendly they were and how she was impressed by my 3 friends. I could only agree wholeheartedly.

I had thought I would stay at the campground at Hart’s Pass (a 15 miles day) but with a $8 fee and NO toilet paper in the privy, I changed my mind. (That’s right, NO toilet paper). I was going to have to go hardcore backpacking for the rest of my trip.

The last water source was 6 miles back, so I hiked to the next stream a quarter mile up and asked Barb her plans to Canada. It seemed we had same idea, she was going to hike about 2 more miles and camp. I was going to stop at the next best stop and maybe walk to Slate Peak on the road.

Barb also mentioned worry about the washouts from the storms and possibly getting a ride out at Hart’s Pass. Thinking we might hike together towards Canada, I told her I might see her later that night.

I hiked on to find a good spot to camp but as I walked below Slate Peak, I didn’t stop. I decided to hike to where I could have a good sunset view, mile 2634 fit the bill. It was next to the trail and about 5:30 pm or so, and was about where Barb said she might stop. No water but I was okay with that having just filled up and I knew there would be water in 2 miles in the morning below Windy Pass.

As I laid in my tent enjoying the sun going down over the mountains, I noticed clouds coming in from the southwest. Not wanting to be exposed in the event of thunderstorms (predicted for the next night), I moved my tent down off the hill, by some trees (but not the tallest tree). Avoided an area that looked flattened by rain runoff.

 

 

I could just hear the sales clerk at REI now, making sure I had a footprint for my BA as I didn’t purchase one. She’d probably flip if she could see me dragging it down the hill. Yes, with all my stuff in it.

The weather will determine what I do tomorrow, 26 miles to the border and 8 more to meet my brother.   Rain: as far as I can go ( I have hiked most of this section before). Sun: take my time and stop at 2646, a meadow area I have wanted to camp in near Rock Pass.

I said prayers for loved ones and thought about how many of us go out into nature to be closer to God and His wonders. Not only do I find Him in the mountains, I feel closer to Him at the ocean’s edge as well. Is it the beauty? Simplicity? The ability to filter out the daily world when you are surrounded by basic pleasures like the roar of waves or the quiet of the forest?

 

First post: Snuffy’s 2013 Pacific Crest Trail Journal July 20 &21, previous post: Snuffy’s 2013 Pacific Crest Trail Journal August 19 & 20.  Look to next Thursday for more of my journey on the Pacific Crest Trail!