We were thrilled to once again be on familiar terrain along the Eagle Creek. This alternate PCT trail is very easy and scenic - passing by numerous beautiful waterfalls. My favorite is Tunnel Falls - a waterfall that you actually walk behind. We had an easy 10 mile walk into Cascade Locks. After filling our bellies at the PCT Pub and checking into our hotel, we finally got our much anticipated showers. Ahhh...it feels so good to be clean!
-Tori
Monday, September 7, 2009
August 27th - Near Rushing Water Creek to 7 1/2 Mile Camp
Continued on the combined PCT/Timberline Trail. Forded Sandy River which looked a lot different from when I crossed it several years ago. Amazing how glacial rivers change so much. Enjoyed a snack by the beautiful Ramona Falls. Got our butts kicked climbing up to Bald Mountain. The rest of the day was spent on mostly viewless terrain. The miles seemed to go by slowly, so we passed the time by working on a rap song about our trip.
Toward the end of the day, we peaked out on a high ridge and got our first view of Mt. Rainier. We truly are getting closer to home...
-Tori
Toward the end of the day, we peaked out on a high ridge and got our first view of Mt. Rainier. We truly are getting closer to home...
-Tori
August 26th - Clackamas Lake to Near Rushing Water Creek
Managed to wake up before sunrise today. Were were looking forward to finally reaching Mt. Hood and getting a little closer to home.
Hiked over super easy terrain for the first half of the day. The 2nd half of the day made up for the easy 1st half though. As the trail got closer to Hood, the terrain got steeper. It was exciting to finally reach the Timberline Trail (the trail that circumnavigates Mt. Hood which I had hiked a few years ago). It was the first time on our trip that I was on trail that was familiar. We were going the opposite way though and I quickly found out why we had gone the other direction previously - the climb up to Timberline Lodge on sand was a butt kicker. We had already done 25 miles and we were hungry. But knowing food was at the end really helped.
Reached Timberline Lodge just in time for dinner. We were were bummed to not be able to get pizza, but each enjoyed a sandwich and beer and then shared a bowl of gourmet mac and cheese. It was difficult, but we managed to escape the Timberline vortex after just an hour or so and hiked another 5 miles to camp on the west side of Hood.
-Tori
Hiked over super easy terrain for the first half of the day. The 2nd half of the day made up for the easy 1st half though. As the trail got closer to Hood, the terrain got steeper. It was exciting to finally reach the Timberline Trail (the trail that circumnavigates Mt. Hood which I had hiked a few years ago). It was the first time on our trip that I was on trail that was familiar. We were going the opposite way though and I quickly found out why we had gone the other direction previously - the climb up to Timberline Lodge on sand was a butt kicker. We had already done 25 miles and we were hungry. But knowing food was at the end really helped.
Reached Timberline Lodge just in time for dinner. We were were bummed to not be able to get pizza, but each enjoyed a sandwich and beer and then shared a bowl of gourmet mac and cheese. It was difficult, but we managed to escape the Timberline vortex after just an hour or so and hiked another 5 miles to camp on the west side of Hood.
-Tori
August 25th - Ollalie Lake ot Clackamas Lake
Woke up to Andrew cooking pancakes and brewing coffee. What a greeat treat. After a leisurely breakfast, Jo drove us back to the trail. Didn't start hiking until a very late 9am. We were such slackers. But it felt great to have a night enjoying the company of others.
Sped through the easy terrain trying to make up for our missed miles due to stopping for trail magic. Reached the Clackamas Lake campground about 6:15pm. Toilets, water, and a garbage dumpster made us decide to call it an early night. Still managed 25 miles for the day though.
-Tori
Sped through the easy terrain trying to make up for our missed miles due to stopping for trail magic. Reached the Clackamas Lake campground about 6:15pm. Toilets, water, and a garbage dumpster made us decide to call it an early night. Still managed 25 miles for the day though.
-Tori
August 24th - Shale Lake to Ollalie Lake
Woke up an hour later than usual today. It was freezing cold and there was frost on the ground. Neither of us wanted to get out of our warm sleeping bags.
The first several miles were quite boring, but eventually the woods opened up and we came to beautiful meadows with views of Mt. Jefferson up close. We saw a ton of dayhikers - even with it being a weekday. There must be a trailhead close by. We could definitely see why the place was popular - the views were amazing!
We huffed and puffed our way up to a high ridge. Funny how we felt out of shape since we have recently been doing very little elevation gains/losses (compared to what we had done previousing in California). We were greeted at the top by our first views of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens. Were were thrilled to see both of those mountains - knowing that we were getting closer to home.
Met a section hiker, Dan, from Bellingham, WA who hiked with us several miles. We are always impressed when the section hikers can keep up with our pace.
Found a trail magic sign when we hit Ollalie Lake promising hot dogs, soda, beer, fruit, and smores if we walked 1 mile down to the campground. We couldn't resist the trail magic, so we walked the 1 mile. Met former 2008 PCT thru-hiker Andrew (aka Dandy)and his girlfriend Jo who were the lovely trail angels providing "magic". Dan arrived soon after us. We were talked into staying the night with promises of pancakes and Stumptown coffee in the morning. Had a great rest of the evening chatting about all kinds of random topics. Thanks Dandy and Jo for the wonderful trail magic. We are glad we stopped and stayed the night!
-Tori
The first several miles were quite boring, but eventually the woods opened up and we came to beautiful meadows with views of Mt. Jefferson up close. We saw a ton of dayhikers - even with it being a weekday. There must be a trailhead close by. We could definitely see why the place was popular - the views were amazing!
We huffed and puffed our way up to a high ridge. Funny how we felt out of shape since we have recently been doing very little elevation gains/losses (compared to what we had done previousing in California). We were greeted at the top by our first views of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens. Were were thrilled to see both of those mountains - knowing that we were getting closer to home.
Met a section hiker, Dan, from Bellingham, WA who hiked with us several miles. We are always impressed when the section hikers can keep up with our pace.
Found a trail magic sign when we hit Ollalie Lake promising hot dogs, soda, beer, fruit, and smores if we walked 1 mile down to the campground. We couldn't resist the trail magic, so we walked the 1 mile. Met former 2008 PCT thru-hiker Andrew (aka Dandy)and his girlfriend Jo who were the lovely trail angels providing "magic". Dan arrived soon after us. We were talked into staying the night with promises of pancakes and Stumptown coffee in the morning. Had a great rest of the evening chatting about all kinds of random topics. Thanks Dandy and Jo for the wonderful trail magic. We are glad we stopped and stayed the night!
-Tori
August 23rd - Sisters, OR to Shale Lake
As much as we enjoyed our time in Sisters, we knew we must move on. After several good nights' rest, we were feeling re-energized.
It took us 2 hitches to make it up to Santiam Pass - the first from a high school girl on the way to her summer job as a lifeguard and the 2nd ride from a state trooper. It was my first time in the back of a cop car - quite the experience. Who knew the back seats were made of hard plastic???
We both enjoyed the scenery immensly today. Our hike took us past Three Fingered Jack as well as seeing Mt. Jefferson smack dab in front of us for most of the day. The beautiful scenery, blue skies, and cooler temperatures made the day fly by fast.
We found a great little campsite at Shale Lake with a great view of Mt. Jefferson. I love when we can find a flat spot with water AND a view!
-Tori
It took us 2 hitches to make it up to Santiam Pass - the first from a high school girl on the way to her summer job as a lifeguard and the 2nd ride from a state trooper. It was my first time in the back of a cop car - quite the experience. Who knew the back seats were made of hard plastic???
We both enjoyed the scenery immensly today. Our hike took us past Three Fingered Jack as well as seeing Mt. Jefferson smack dab in front of us for most of the day. The beautiful scenery, blue skies, and cooler temperatures made the day fly by fast.
We found a great little campsite at Shale Lake with a great view of Mt. Jefferson. I love when we can find a flat spot with water AND a view!
-Tori
August 22nd - Another Day in Sisters, OR
We enjoyed our day yesterday so much that we decided to do another zero. Spent the day doing absolutely nothing. It was great!
-Tori
-Tori
August 21st - Sisters, OR
Zero day! Yay! We were really in need of a rest day. Both of us are dealing with sore feet and I have a sore back.
We scored a great deat at the Sisters Inn. They are currently rennovating so they gave us a great price ($60) on a room. The room is huge, has a porch with a sliding glass door, 2 sinks, fridge, microwave, computer with internet in the lobby, and a continental breakfast. Probably the best room and best price we have had on the trail. We feel like we are living in luxury.
Spent the day leisurely doing town chores - laundry, library, post office, etc. Sisters is a nice town - more touristy and bigger than we expected, but still easy to get around.
-Tori
We scored a great deat at the Sisters Inn. They are currently rennovating so they gave us a great price ($60) on a room. The room is huge, has a porch with a sliding glass door, 2 sinks, fridge, microwave, computer with internet in the lobby, and a continental breakfast. Probably the best room and best price we have had on the trail. We feel like we are living in luxury.
Spent the day leisurely doing town chores - laundry, library, post office, etc. Sisters is a nice town - more touristy and bigger than we expected, but still easy to get around.
-Tori
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Fun Video
Howdy! Tori and I are in Sisters, OR for a zero day. Below is a little video from the trail. Also, I added a few more pics to our photo album (check the link on right of the page). Enjoy!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Quick Photo Update
Howdy Folks!
We're in Etna, CA. Spending a day relaxing and taking care of other town chores. Have new photos posted on Tori's facebook page. See the link to the right of this web page. Should be a link directly to our PCT Photo Album.
We're doing well. Thanks for keeping tabs on us and thanks for the comments. We apologize for not being able to respond to them because our internet time is very limited.
God Bless,
Tom & Tori
We're in Etna, CA. Spending a day relaxing and taking care of other town chores. Have new photos posted on Tori's facebook page. See the link to the right of this web page. Should be a link directly to our PCT Photo Album.
We're doing well. Thanks for keeping tabs on us and thanks for the comments. We apologize for not being able to respond to them because our internet time is very limited.
God Bless,
Tom & Tori
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