Category Archives: PCT2020

Hiking, PCT2020

Sep 12, 2020 PCT Between 2198 and 2207

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I sleep a hour later than usual but put a rush on to get packed up and moving. The smoke was really thick all night and I want to get out of here. Just not healthy to be sucking in all this smoke. I head out towards Blue Lake and run into tree after tree after tree being down on the trail. For each one I have to find a way around the tree(s). A couple images.

  • PCT 2207 to 2198. Downed trees
  • PCT 2207 to 2198. Downed trees
Downed Trees

I finally get to Blue Lake. A very long 2 mile hike because of the trees on the trail. I decide to stop and have my breakfast. As I am eating, Paul comes from the camping area and expresses how happy he is too see me. Says he has not seen anyone for 12 hours and wonders if we were the only one not to get the message. He wants to hike together which I think is also a good idea. Strength in numbers. At this point we both plan on getting the Trout Creek and then have Martha and Matt get us out.

I look at the map and notice a trailhead that is about 10 miles away that I think Martha and Matt can get to. Trout creek is about 30 miles and would take us 2 days. I message Martha and Matt and Matt finds the location of the trailhead and indicates that they can get us there. Paul and I both decide the faster we can get out of here the better. We have no idea where the fire is but the fact that the place is deserted and the smoke is so heavy it is just not healthy to be out. Here are a couple pictures of the smoke two interesting looking “lakes” that are flagged as being water sources.

  • PCT 2207 to 2198. The view
  • PCT 2207 to 2198. First view of sun in two days
  • PCT 2207 to 2198. Meadow
  • PCT 2207 to 2198. Water source. Green Lake
  • PCT 2207 to 2198. Water source. Sheep Lake

I meet a north bound PCT thru hiker named “Trooper” and we talk for awhile. He started the PCT on March 17th which is pretty early. I asked if he got past Mount San Jacinto in southern California before the big storms. He said that he got there a week after the young PCT hiker fell to his death and the place was still treacherous. That he slipped and thought he was going to fall to his death but caught himself and after a nights pause in the nearby town of Idlewyld went back up and was able to finish. He said one other time he thought he was going to die was in the High Sierras where he was traversing some ice and his spikes were not able to penetrate it and he slipped and again thought it was over, but caught himself. He gave God credit for saving his life both times. I told him that I saw God everywhere on the PCT and asked him about that and he agreed. He said one of the reasons he was hiking the trail was to see Gods creation before it was all gone. He told me Oregon was an almost totally burned out area on the PCT. Said it was a bit of a depressing place to hike. Burned forests and lava flows. I told him he had some majestic views ahead of him and hoped the smoke cleared so he could see them.

Just before we get to the trailhead extraction point, I do see one thing that makes me smile. Someone took the time to record a milestone in their progress with pine cones.

PCT 2207 to 2198. North bounder marking a milestone

Paul and I get to the trailhead about 45 minutes before Martha and Matt arrive. A forest ranger comes in to post some signs. He indicates that the forest has been closed for 3 days but they are allowing PCT’ers to continue. He says they don’t recommend it because the smoke alone is just not healthy but they don’t try to stop PCT’ers. Really hard for me to understand. Paul was the source of the oranges back at Trout Lake and Martha and Matt repay him by bringing us burgers and frys and cokes. On the way to get us Martha and Matt picked up a hitching PCT’er who wanted to hike from the trailhead to Trout Lake. He was advised against it. He ignored the advice. He had two burgers and 3 beers from Martha and Matt and started his hike. We give Paul a ride back to where he left his car and then start to head back to Oroville. Oroville is 1/2 mile from the Canadian Border. Pauls car was next to the Columbia River next to the Oregon Border. We drove for 7 hours and there was heavy smoke in the air the entire way.

California, Oregon, and Washington are basically on fire. Oregon has closed all the forests and the PCT. California has closed all the forests and the PCT. The PCT still seems to be open in Washington even though some of the forests have been closed.

Hiking, PCT2020

Sep 11, 2020 PCT Between 2207 and 2224

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I try to delay getting up in the morning because there are two hikers that are camped right next to me. I’m really not very good at waiting. I try to pack up with minimal noise and I don’t do my usual breakfast in camp but wait till later to avoid waking anyone up.

The smell of smoke is pretty heavy in the air but it is still dark. By the time it lightens I can see that there is a lot of smoke in the air. Still figuring it just blew in from the other fires. It is just that the smell is a bit heavy and that makes me wonder.

PCT 2224 and 2207. Early morning verification

Around 11:30 I enter into the Indian Heaven Wilderness within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The Indian Heaven Wilderness is 20,784 acres and has over 150 lakes. It was established in 1984 under President Ronald Regan. The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is 1,368,300 acres established in 1897 under President Grover Cleveland.

PCT 2224 and 2207. Indian Heaven Wilderness

There are not any pictures from this day as I was forest most of the day but all the smoke was so heavy that no meaningful scenic photo could be taken. I start of see the toll of the huge wind storm we had over labor day as there are fresh trees down on the path.

  • PCT 2224 and 2207. Lots of downed trees
  • PCT 2224 and 2207. Lots of downed trees

It was a good hiking day. I meet one thru hike named “Prof” who indicates that he is sick of hiking and just wants it to be over. He has to be at White Pass in two days to meet his fiancee and that is pretty much impossible. Indicates he is going into Trout Lake and try to find someone willing to driver him over to White Pass. Near the end of the day I meet another hiker named Paul who is just doing a small section of the trail. Basically the same small section he is doing. We meet at Bear Lake which is a beautiful lake. He is going on to Blue Lake about 3 miles away and I’m going to stop at Junction Lake about 1 mile away.

Both of use are concerned about the amount of smoke and how strong it smells. While I am setting up camp another hiker comes through and he indicates there are two fires that are pretty close. One fire at the Oregon Washington border has the trail closed for 10 miles on either side. There is another fire that he says is visible from Blue Lake. At this point I send a message to Lenora, Martha, and Matt asking if they can find out any information.

Turns out there is a new fire that is about 5 miles west of me. Big Hollow fire that has already consumed 12000 acres. It is almost impossible to get information about these fires in real time. Information is posted every 12 hours and as fast as these fires move, that just does not do any good. Martha and Matt decide they need to head out as it may be necessary to get me off the PCT. It is a 7 hour drive and as they are driving they get to see some fires in action.

It is a stressful night as we try to communicate what is happening. I’m not sure if I should continue south or go back north. It has been pretty dry up to where I am and so going back north does not give me any escape if the fire moves faster than expected. I can continue south which has a number of lakes for protection if the fire gets to the PCT. Really can’t sleep and keep getting out of my tent to see if I can see any glow. The first time I get out I think my glasses have fogged over but they haven’t. It is just the smoke. Finally about 2 am they have gathered enough information that we decide I should continue south and that the fire is not expected to move any closer to the PCT. At that point I am able to get to sleep and do so until about 5 am.

Hiking, PCT2020

Sep 10, 2020 PCT Between 2224 and 2229

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Send off number 6

So the idea on this hike is to connect the dots between Trout Creek, which I got to at the start of August and Trout Lake where I ended up a few days ago. It is about a 52 mile stretch. We had to delay doing this because over the labor day weekend, Washington basically caught on fire. There were extremely high winds and a lot of people recreating and apparently that resulted in numerous fires. One of the big ones was just south of us in the town of Omak and has the major south bound road (Hwy 97) closed. We had to wait for that to reopen. We travel down to Trout Lake where I need to start and it is about a 7 hour drive. Most of that drive we are in pretty heavy smoke. We can see the devastation from the road as we travel. When we get to Trout Lake and the PCT the smoke is really pretty light and it seems save to everyone to continue. At this point there are no fires to the south which is where I am heading.

At the start of the trail here a trail angel has left bags of oranges. After Martha gives me a blessing, I grab an orange and head out. It is about 3 pm and I want to get to Trout Lake Creek (5 miles) to camp tonight. I will meet the trail angel that left the oranges later in the hike and we will return the favor.

The hike to Trout Lake Creek is an up and down affair. Nothing serious and I arrive in a little after 2 hours. Pass the nice little meadow along the way and I plant that I have not noticed before

PCT 2229 to 2224. Nice little meadow
PCT 2229 to 2224. Bunchberry dogwood

Trout Lake Creek is a wonderful campsite. Probably one of the best I have encountered on the PCT that was not a public camp. I have not seen anyone on the trail and there is nobody at the campsite when I get there and I figure I might have the place to myself. I figure wrong as after I am settled and trying to sleep, a couple campers come in. Then a couple more. Then a couple more. In the end we are tent cheek to tent cheek. Below are some images of the camp.

  • PCT 2229 to 2224. Tentsite at Trout Lake Creek
  • PCT 2229 to 2224. Tentsite at Trout Lake Creek
  • PCT 2229 to 2224. Trout Lake Creek

During the middle of the night I woke up and I could smell smoke. Figured it was just blowing in from one of the many fires. Went back to sleep.

Hiking, PCT2020

Sep 6, 2020 PCT Between 2229 and 2242

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Get an earlier than normal start and again have a delayed breakfast because getting water from the muddy and silty Lewis River did not appeal. But there is Riley Creek in a couple miles where I can get good water and have my normal breakfast. I do start out the day with Spam and tortilla smothered with ranch dressing at the camp site however and after the breakfast I am loaded up for some serious hiking. Unfortunately, a lot of the day was spent in a burn zone that I would be told was from a fire in 2016. Very hot and so I tried to do quickly. Eventually got back into forest and spent the rest of time in shade until arriving at Hwy 23 and the Trout Lake pick up point. I arrived early but there was a trail angel at Hwy 23 who gave me a 13 mile ride into the town of Trout Lake where Lenora, Martha, and Matt picked me up. I had met Dave, the trail angel, a little earlier than Hwy 23 as he was out to take some pictures and visit the memorial site of a PCT hiker that was killed on the trail by a falling tree in 2019. He was simply standing a bridge with a hiking partner when a tree fell and hit him and killed him.

I tipped Gary for giving me a ride and then he had a couple hikers get into his truck for a ride back to the PCT and Hwy 23. Dave has helped about 250 hikers this year. The numbers are down he says as in a normal year he would have helped 1000 hikers by now.

Trout Lake is a PCT destination because it is a good resupply point, has a nice grocery store, and a cafe with shakes and cheeseburgers. I had 2 huckleberry shakes, a cheeseburger, 2 glasses of water, and 3 diet cokes.

It was glorious to see Lenora, Martha and Matt when they arrived. They had lunch/dinner at the cafe and then we started the long drive back to Oroville.

  • PCT 2242 to 2229. Early moring moon
  • PCT 2242 to 2229. Squirreltail
  • PCT 2242 to 2229. Red Fescue
Hiking, PCT2020

Sep 5, 2020 PCT Between 2242 and 2256

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It has been hot and dry and so I made the decision last night to not put the rain fly on my tent. It was nice to be able to look up from the tent and see the trees and the sky. However, everything in the morning as slightly and annoyingly moist. I had not noticed any moisture the last two nights on the rain fly and so I thought it would be ok. I’m dry inside my sleeping bag and my hiking cloths are also dry because I put them inside the bag with me to keep them warm for the morning. So it could have been worse. I get packed up and start walking towards the trail. After what I think is too long of a walk I start to wonder if I walked the right way because I have not found the trail. It is dark and I’m walking with a headlamp. I return to the tent site and get my bearings and decide I was indeed going in the correct direction for the trial. I can tell the land is sloping down towards a lake. I head out again with a little more trust and eventually reach the trail and start the day. Get to a stream about 7am for some nice clear cold water and breakfast

They like you to register while in the wilderness so they know you are there if something happens. Oh…. Like a fire I’m guessing. Registration not possible however as this location needs a little repair

  • PCT 2256 to 2242. They want you to register but this site is a bit broken and has no forms
  • PCT 2256 to 2242.

People do like to report milestones along the trail. Mostly they are done with rocks showing the mileage. This was done with tree moss. I thought very clever. Showing south bounders they have traveled 400 miles at this point.

PCT 2256 to 2242. Tree moss used to let South bounders know they have traveled 400 miles

As I travel on I am on the edge of a lava field with huge rocks. Eventually come to a spot called Lava Spring because a beautiful little stream emerges out of the lava mountain at this point. It has nice places to camp and the beautiful stream. I stop here to have a meal and talk to a PCT thru hiker that comes in from the south. He is traveling with a 72 year old named Bo Jangles and he wants me to tell him about the Knifes Edge. Apparently Bo Jangles is worried about the snow fields. Bo is about a mile behind and I meet him as I start the climb from the stream. I tell Bo my opinion about the Knifes Edge. The snow fields will not be a problem. Just be careful when going down hill. Bo looked pretty good for having done more than 2200 miles of the PCT at the age of 72!!

  • PCT 2256 to 2242. Lava Spring is a wonderful spot
  • PCT 2256 to 2242. Lava stream. Water flowing out of lava mountain

It is a pretty good climb to get from Lava Spring to Killian Creek. Not intense but consistent and long. But Killian Spring was a nice place to end up at the top. I had more to eat here and washed my shirt. Lots of locals coming through. I also get what I believe will be last look at Mount Rainier.

  • PCT 2256 to 2242. Mount Adams
  • PCT 2256 to 2242. Mount Adams from Killean Creek
  • PCT 2256 to 2242. Mount Adams getting closer
  • PCT 2256 to 2242. A last look at Mount Rainier

An hour later Mount Adams seems to be getting really close

PCT 2256 to 2242. Mount Adams. Ice and Glacier

About 30 minutes later there are two rivers I need to cross by wading through them. Some people could get across Adams Creek on a thin log. I knew I would just fall in so might as well have some control. Then comes Lewis River where there are two separate tributaries coming together into one. Need to cross both. Again really the best option was to just wade across. I decided to stop for the day and set up camp after crossing the Lewis River. Nice single camp site and plenty of time to dry things off.

  • PCT 2256 to 2242. Adams Creek
  • PCT 2256 to 2242.
  • PCT 2256 to 2242. Mount Adams from Lewis River
  • PCT 2256 to 2242. Mount Adams from Lewis Riveer
  • PCT 2256 to 2242. Tent site by Lewis River
  • PCT 2256 to 2242. Tent site by Lewis River with Mount Adams Glacier through the trees

Notice both rivers are muddy and silty. Pretty common for glacier flow. Some locals crossed Adam Creek at the same time as me and asked where they could get water. Told them are Killian Stream. A beautiful place to stop for the night. Getting real close to Trout Lake (13 miles) which is where I will get picked up AGAIN. I have not been near as fast as I thought I would be and I’m going to need to resupply on food. My left shoulder and right hip are starting to feel better but some rest won’t hurt.

Hiking, PCT2020

Sep 4, 2020 PCT Between 2256 and 2270

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Normal night. Wake up usual time and pack and have my breakfast. I really look forward to the morning routine because it is such a good start. In the dark with a headlamp sorting out the treats and food for the day and having my double carnation instant breakfast meal. The water is usually cold because the nights are generally cold and it gives me the energy and hydration needed for a good start to the day. That being said, I am really still laid over from the Knifes Edge and apparently not in a great mood as I only found the opportunity to take 3 pictures today. However, it was truly a walk in the forest and it is perhaps little sections like this that make PCT’ers call Washington and Oregon the green tunnel. All you see are trees.

Below is an early morning shot of Mount Adams. Notice the smoke in the air. Seems to be a constant in Washington. This would clear up later in the day.

PCT 2270 to 2256. Mount Adams

Two hours later I am told I am still on the PCT. It really is always nice to see these signs.

PCT 2270 to 2256. Still on course

4 hours later I start seeing these bushes everywhere. I really want to eat the fruit but don’t. Find out later it is not toxic exactly but it apparently tastes bad and can upset the stomach. All sorts of critters love this plant as the berries stay on the plant well into winter.

PCT 2270 to 2256. Sitka mountain-ash

All along the walk I am passing by ponds but all the ponds are stagnant and would only be used for water in desperation. I have picked a spot to stop which is by a lake but when I get there it is full of local hikers. I am in the forest in mainly level ground and so within a tenth of a mile I notice a level cleared piece of ground and decide to use it as my camp spot. It is off the trail by a 100 feet or so. I have enough water for the night but not enough for breakfast but not far ahead of me is a good water source according to Guthook comments. I can hike a couple miles in the morning and get some good clear running water rather than lake water. Does not seem like much of a day but I did get 14 miles in which is not terrible considering all the times I stopped to rest one body part or another.

Hiking, PCT2020

Sep 3, 2020 PCT Between 2270 and 2280

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Good night and up at regular time to tackle the Knifes Edge. Nervous. As usual I have a hard time getting going. Everything is so fresh and pretty in the morning. Here are some pictures and videos from the start of the day.

  • PCT 2280 to 2270. Moon in the morning
  • PCT 2280 to 2270. Still Mount Rainier
  • PCT 2280 to 2270. Nootka lupine hanging out with some Indian Paintbrush
  • PCT 2280 to 2270. Still Mount Rainier
  • PCT 2280 to 2270. Another moon shot. Gives a little sense of the trail

After about an hour I get to what would probably be considered the start of the ascent to the Knifes Edge. There have been two really intensive ascents up to this point but I would say that it is at this point that things get real. Below are some images. Notice one sign is a livestock warning.

  • PCT 2280 to 2270. Heading up
  • PCT 2280 to 2270. Heading up
  • PCT 2280 to 2270. Hum… it should say “no place for old men”
  • PCT 2280 to 2270. Still on course
  • PCT 2280 to 2270. Wondering where it goes. I think part of fire bypass from 2018

Ok… so going up this slope was not bad. I would not want to come down it. Steep downhill with loose rocks is not a good combination. I believe this is part of the what the two guys were talking about. I don’t think I could go down this slope without making sure each foot was planted and secure before taking another step. Would have taken a long time. Going up however was not bad. At the top of this section is a little wide spot where people (and lifestock I guess) can pass each other. I take this video and some images just a little later.

  • PCT 2280 to 2270. View from Knifes Edge
  • PCT 2280 to 2270. View from Knifes Edge
  • PCT 2280 to 2270. View from Knifes Edge
  • PCT 2280 to 2270. View from Knifes Edge

A little later I have some MORE views of Mount Rainier and a view of Mount St. Helens. Between these points where I am taking the pictures I am usually going up a steep slippery slope or going down a steep slippery slope. It is pretty stressful for me. I am tight and I can feel strain on my shoulder and hip. At one point 4 hikers are coming the other direction and just by chance it was at a switchback point and I could wait for all 4 of them to pass by. They are not all together but only takes about 10 minutes before the last hiker indicates there is nobody behind her and I am free to go.

  • PCT 2280 to 2270. View from Knifes Edge. Mount St. Helens
  • PCT 2280 to 2270. View from Knifes Edge. Mount Rainier and Packwood Lake

The actual Knifes Edge where you are sure to die if you fall in either direction is a very short part of the trail as far as I can tell. I frankly almost missed it. It really is not clear to me how much of this part is considered the Knifes Edge and how much is just scary trail. I am making this sound pretty bad huh? Well, all I can say is that I did make it across all of it, which I would not have attempted if I was really in fear of my life. I stopped short of Canada by 7 miles so I’m not risking anything. That being said, I would never consider going back to this section and doing it again. It is no place for old men. I think I got the picture below from one of the spots where the trail falls away on both sides. Pretty near the top this is a picture of the other side where the snow is melting. The rushing water can clearly be heard.

PCT 2280 to 2270. Melting snow

I get to an alternate trail (Old Snowy Mountain Bypass) that I can take to avoid crossing the snow in the image below. As I have learned from others, crossing the snow is either no problem or it is treacherous. The alternate path takes you 400 feet higher and of course then down 400 feet to avoid the snow. I’m not in the mood to go up and down again and so decide to cross the snow. When I get to the snow it is indeed on a steep slope and slipping would not be a good thing. But it had been abnormally warm and even this early in the morning the snow is not ice hard but gives a little when I put my foot in it. I figure it is a lot closer to no problem than it is to treacherous and so I cross. I have mini spikes I can slip on my boots but I don’t figure I even need them. At this point the two guys that said the trail is nasty and the snow is no problem win the day.

Here are some images and videos of the snow crossing.

  • PCT 2280 to 2270. First snow crossing
  • PCT 2280 to 2270. Approaching second snow crossing
  • PCT 2280 to 2270. Approaching second snow crossing

At this point I am basically down from the Knifes Edge and I thank God that I am safe. Not that I was ever in danger :). But I take the time to look around and WOW. Watch the video below. It contains Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, and Mount Adams. Turn on the sound.

So I stopped short of the Knifes Edge and only did 10 miles the day before and I will stop short after the Knifes Edge and only do 10 miles again. My legs are shaky, the shoulder and hip ache. I’ve only done about 3 miles 🙂 Here are a couple images of the end of day.

  • PCT 2280 to 2270. On the way down
  • PCT 2280 to 2270. Mount Adams

The hiking for the rest of the day was pretty exposed. They are having a little heat wave here in Washington which makes it nice at night and most of the walking in the day is OK because of tree cover. But this section was a little hot. I pass by Cispus Creek which was a really nice waterfall, then ascend to Cispus Pass and descend into and through a bit of the Yakima Indian Reservation (no hunting or trespassing…. stay on the trail). I stop very close to Sheep Lake. I walk down to the late (1/10 of a mile) and notice there are really nice camp sites on the lake BUT they are all occupied by local folks out for a hiking weekend. I just gather some water and return to my camping spot. As I go back up there is a young man sitting on a log and looking a bit worried. He indicates he is heading for Knifes Edge but is worried about the lack of water as all the sources seem to be drying out. I tell him there are about 5 miles of dry hot hiking but then Cispus creek is wet and beautiful and once he gets to the Knifes Edge area there is water from the snow melt. He is also worried about crossing snow since he will be taking side trails and could have more snow that the PCT. I offer him my mini spikes because I am sick of lugging them around and he gladly accepts. When I get back to camp I notice a knife on the ground. Whoever lost it there is probably very upset. A good HEAVY knife. I think I broke out even on weight.

PCT 2280 to 2270. Tent site

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Sep 2, 2020 PCT Between 2280 and 2290

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It was a good night and I get up early and try to quietly pack, eat, and start the day. By 5:30 I am hiking with a head lamp on but that usually comes off by about 6 in the morning. I think I have a good planned but what I really do not realize until later is that my intended camping spot for tonight is on the other side of the Knifes Edge. When I find that out my plans will change. Such a beautiful morning. Here is a collection of videos and pictures. I just kept stopping and looking.

  • PCT 2290 and 2280. Heading that way
  • PCT 2290 and 2280. Trail and Mount Rainier
  • PCT 2290 and 2280. Its called Shoe Lake.
  • PCT 2290 and 2280. Amazing full moon

There are two guys heading north and have recently gone over the Knifes Edge. They indicated the snow was not a problem but that they were not prepared for how steep and slippery the trail was on the way down. Narrow trail with loose rock underneath at a 16 and sometimes 20 degree slope. They indicated the trail had not been maintained. True actually for most of Washington this year I believe because of COVID. They also indicate that a number of people did not attempt the Knifes Edge yesterday because of high winds. Right now the winds are mild. I meet another guy and his two adult children at Lutz Lake and he indicates that the trail is perfect but that the snow was treacherous and they opted to use the optional trail to go above one of the snow fields. He said as far as he could tell if you slip on the snow field you will end up going down for 1/4 of mile with nothing to stop you.

So the trail is either good or bad. The snow is either not a problem or treacherous. I just have to laugh.

Around noon a gal passes me and we talk a bit. She is doing an 8 day hike. Going from Trout Lake north for 4 days and then turning and returning to Trout Lake. So she has gone over Knifes Edge and is about to do it again. She said there were no issues. Anyway she asked where I camped last night and I indicated at the top of the climb from White Pass. How about you I ask. She said, I’m not sure, it was just called “small campground”. This is chatty girl. Anyway she asked if I wanted my picture taken against the background. OK….. I respond and she takes three pictures. Of course, I return the favor and take some pictures of her. She takes off, never see her again. She is doing 20 mile days.

  • PCT 2290 and 2280. Just me and some scenery
  • PCT 2290 and 2280. Just me and some scenery
  • PCT 2290 and 2280. Just me and some scenery

It is not long after this, about 2 hours, that I do my first little 16% slop section up to flat spot. The ascent to the Knifes Edge is beginning. I decide to do it in the morning when I am fresh and alert and so I set up camp for the night. There is a small stream flowing from the snow melt by my campsite. Always a plus to have water, especially cold water. Here are some videos and pictures from around campsite.

  • PCT 2290 and 2280. At campsite
  • PCT 2290 and 2280. At campsite
  • PCT 2290 and 2280. At campsite
PCT 2290 and 2280. At campsite
Hiking, PCT2020

Sep 1, 2020 PCT Between 2290 and 2295

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The Send Off Version 5

It is a 6 hour drive to get from Oroville (home base on the Candadian Border) to White Pass which will be my starting point. Plan is to head south to Trout Creek to complete that section of Washington. Early in the month I hiked from Bridge of the Gods (Oregon/Washington border) to Trout Creek.

I’m excited about this section because it contains the famous Knifes Edge in the Goat Rocks Wilderness which, as I understand it, is a very narrow strip of trail that falls off to oblivion on either side. When I was here in 2018 there was a fire in this area and although the trail was not closed there was a very long detour to avoid the fire area. I really had not studied the area until last night and after reading and watching videos on it (search for PCT Knifes Edge) I started to get a little nervous. I wasn’t so worried about the Knifes Edge itself but of the descriptions of the trail leading to the Knifes Edge. After the failure to get to Canada because of trail conditions, I am concerned.

Almost immediately I get to a sign indicating that I am entering the Goat Rocks Wilderness. I am a little shocked because I figured that was a day ahead of me. Turns out I enter, exit, and will enter again. The PCT has about 31 miles of trail within the wilderness. Goat Rocks Wilderness is 108,024 acres in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

About this time I get to Ginnette Lake and decide to get some extra water. I saved 2 miles of carrying water by waiting till this point and the next water is in 8 miles, which is further that I am going today. White Pass is at 4400 feet and you climb your way out of White Pass to a flat area near the top of Hogback Mountain with a camping site at about 6300 feet.

I am seeing a number of day hikers coming back from somewhere. I expect to see a lot of them when I get to Ginnette Lake but when I get there I meet a single hiker that said he was doing the PCT and I asked him about the area ahead and about the Knifes Edge. He said it was very difficult and told me that if I could do the next 20 miles, I could do any section of the PCT. He said it was the hardest part of the PCT he had seen. I asked him how much he had done and he indicated he had only done this section and one other in Washington. Not a very big sample size.

PCT 2295 to 2290. Goat Rocks Wilderness
PCT 2295 to 2290. Ginnette Lake

Continuing to drudge up the slope I pass by a nice looking meadow and then some ski lifts. Perhaps the meadow looking area is part of a ski slop.

PCT 2295 to 2290. Nice Meadow

Just before I work myself up to the top of Hogback Mountain two hikers pass me that are in a pretty big hurry to get down to White Pass but one of them says: It’s a hard climb but the views are fantastic.

There are good views. I look back towards the north and see the fire that we passed driving on the way to White Pass. Pretty impressive amount of smoke but the fire is moving the other way and is a far piece off. You can also see a glimpse of Clear Lake which is a good size lake we passed on the drive. The dead trees I am sure are part of the fire that was here in 2018 that caused the PCT detour.

PCT 2295 to 2290. Fire burning to the North. We passed on drive down

There is a small campsite and that is where I am staying for the night. I hear two other hikers come in during the night. A guy who is quiet and a gal who is very talkative and chatters to the quiet guy. Turns out I will meet the gal later. On the hiking applications the spot I choose is called “small campsite”. That is how I know the gal I meet later will be the same gal.

  • Miles: 5.7
  • Steps: 14914
  • PCT Mile: 2290
  • Elevation: 6350
  • Location:

Hiking, PCT2020

Aug 29, 2020 PCT Between 2324 and 2335

3 Comments

So I try and delay getting up for awhile to not disturb my neighbors but by 5 I am starting to pack. I generally have breakfast at the camp site but this time I decided to delay until later so to disturb them as little as possible. As I was putting on my pack and getting ready to leave, one of them said “have a good hike”. I could not tell who said it so I whispered thanks and told him to do the same. Below are some early morning views.

  • PCT 2324 to 2335. Early morning view
  • PCT 2324 to 2335. California buckwheat
  • PCT 2324 to 2335. Early morning view
  • PCT 2324 to 2335. Early morning view

It was a little chilly in the morning and so I left on my layer of sleeping clothes and put hiking clothes over them. After about 3 hours of hiking, the sun was up and it was warmer. So I stopped to have breakfast and remove the extra layers. The 2 carnation instant breakfasts were yummy and just what I needed. I had done a little climbing and I could tell I did not have the same energy I would have had if I had had breakfast in camp.

I start hiking again and within 10 minutes a storm blew in from over the peaks and the temperature dropped by about 20 degrees. It was really pretty amazing that conditions could change that fast. My thoughts moved to the missing hiker who perhaps was caught totally off guard as well. I was told he was caught in a snow storm. I really did not believe I was in any danger of that. Thought it might rain but that did not happen either. I got a little wet from being in the clouds but the only thing that happened was I hiked faster to stay warm. Below are some videos of the clouds. Me in them, then me above them.

There is a pretty big wind and eventually the clouds are all blown over to other mountains and the sun is shining again. I meet two young men that are obviously hunting. For what, I ask. Black Bear, they respond. I tell them they should come to Georgia, sit on my front porch, and kill the black bear that is getting in my garbage. They told me to send the black bear to Washington. I don’t think either option is going to work out.

Chinook Pass is my destination and I’m getting close. Martha, Matt, and Lenora are going to pick me up there. I will go back to Oroville for a couple days and then return to the trail to connect the dots from White Pass to Trout Creek. Some scenery on the way to Chinook Pass. I look for a skunk on the way down to freshen up the car a bit before I get in but could not find one.

  • PCT 2324 to 2335. Little lake down there
  • PCT 2324 to 2335. Just pretty
  • PCT 2324 to 2335. Sheep Lake