Start: tentsite at 2275 End: tentsite on the Miriam fire detour, near Lost Hat Lake. Miles covered: 14 PCT mile marker: 2289/2652 equivalent. This was in the middle of a detour around the Miriam fire, so the PCT mileage isn’t precise. Highlight: Goat Rocks was even more spectacular today. I had a hard time narrowing … Continue reading Day 120 – 14 mi – PCT mile 2289 →

Start: tentsite at 2256 End: tentsite at mile 2275 Miles covered: 19 PCT mile marker: 2275/2652 Highlight: Entering Goat Rocks Wilderness. I knew that people raved about Goat Rocks, and now I see why. The place is stunning, and pictures don’t do it justice, but I’m including some anyway. Biggest challenge: I was a little … Continue reading Day 119 – 19 mi – PCT mile 2275 →

Start: tentsite at 2234 End: tentsite at mile 2256 Miles covered: 22 PCT mile marker: 2256/2652 Highlight: Fantastic views of Mt Adams (above) and glimpses of Mt Rainier (below). Biggest challenge: Not much was challenging today. My feet were cooperating for a change perhaps because my pack is getting light. Crossing Riley Creek was a … Continue reading Day 118 – 22 mi – PCT mile 2256 →

Start: tentsite at 2213 End: tentsite in a meadow just below Mt Adams. Miles covered: 21 PCT mile marker: 2234/2652 Highlight: Solitude. Some days I see many other hikers on the trail. The PCT is popular after all. Some days I see very few, and this was one of those days. I enjoyed the peaceful, … Continue reading Day 117 – 21 mi – PCT mile 2234 →

Start: tentsite at 2193 End: tentsite at mile 2213 Miles covered: 20 PCT mile marker: 2213/2652 Highlight: Views of Mt Hood to the south, Mt Adams to the north, and Mt Saint Helens to the west from the same ridge on a clear day. Biggest challenge: Managing the usual pain on the sole of my … Continue reading Day 116 – 20 mi – PCT mile 2213 →

Start: tentsite at 2171 End: tentsite at mile 2193 Miles covered: 22 PCT mile marker: 2193/2652 Highlight: Greeting runners heading southbound on the PCT in a 50-km trail race, especially the one with bib number 6. When we spotted him, Windy and I gleefully exclaimed, “You’re number six. I am not a number! I AM … Continue reading Day 115 – 22 mi – PCT mile 2193 →

Start: tentsite at 2150 End: tentsite at mile 2171 Miles covered: 21 PCT mile marker: 2171/2652 Highlight: A beautiful ridge walk. Biggest challenge: My relatively heavy pack is contributing to very sore feet.

Start: Cascade Locks, OR End: tentsite at mile 2150 Miles covered: 4 (+1 in town) PCT mile marker: 2150/2652 Highlight: Reaching Washington! (Honorable mention: Great food, beer, and atmosphere at Thunder Island Brewery.) Biggest challenge: After an indulgent day in town and a pack reload, I was lacking the energy to make it more than … Continue reading Day 113 – 5 mi – PCT mile 2150 →

Start: Wahtum Lake End: Cascade Locks, OR Miles covered: 16 PCT mile marker: 2146/2652 Highlight: Everything about Cascade Locks, including beer at the Ale House, great hiker boxes, understanding cashiers at the grocery store, and helpful receptionists at the local motels. It is an incredibly hiker-friendly town. (Honorable mention: The light pack inevitable when I’m … Continue reading Day 112 – 16 mi – PCT mile 2146 →

Start: tentsite at 2106 End: Wahtum Lake Miles covered: 23 PCT mile marker: 2130/2652 Highlight: A gorgeous ridgeside walk with expansive views to the west. (Honorable mention: Huckleberries or blueberries, I'm not sure which. Either way, they were yummy.) Biggest challenge: Cleaning off dew and condensation in the morning. I camped by a stream with … Continue reading Day 111 – 23 mi – PCT mile 2130 →