The wind picked up around midnight and blew hard, keeping me awake for several hours. Frank also didn't get much sleep as she was pretty cold. She just uses a very thin pad which doesn't offer much protection from the cold ground.
It took us a while again this morning to get going and Frank and I finally left camp about 7:40 - 20 minutes or so after Rally, who was going to hike up Old Snowy Mountain.
Frank and I started out and immediately crossed our largest snowfield of the entire trail - larger than anything we had in the Sierra. We went across some scree and then across another, much sketchier snowfield before arriving at the place I've been looking forward to for a while now: The Knife's Edge. It's a part of the trail that goes across a very thin ridge, with sometimes only a few feet on either side of the trail before it drops off for several thousand feet.
The views were phenomenal: gorgeous mountains, snowfields, and even Rainier poking through the smoke.
We started across, marveling in the majesty of this place.
At one point, our wonder was compounded when we watched a massive boulder fly down the side of the mountain, bouncing off the snow before finally coming to rest thousands of feet below. We continued crossing the knife's edge and talked with a couple who were southbounding from Stehekin.
Shortly after we passed them, Rally caught up to us and we all hiked together for a bit. I got some cell service and called the post office to make sure my box was still there. It was, so when I caught up to Frank and Rally, I told them I was going ahead. I hiked off, through the forest and a small burn area, climbing all the time.
Finally, I reached a pass with great views.
I had a mile of open views before the trail dropped back into the trees. From here, it was 5 miles to White Pass which I covered in good time, reaching the road just before 3.
I walked down the road to the Kracker Barrel Store and tried to hitch a ride to the town of Packwood where my box was. Finally, after about 20 minutes, a couple in their 80s or 90s pulled over for me and offered me a ride. They were really nice and dropped me off right near the post office. Town is crazy right now because they're setting up for a massive flea market happening this weekend. I grabbed my package from the post office and threw out my thumb to hitch s ride back up the mountain.
After 40 minutes, a guy (and his dog, Layla) pulled over for me. I thought he was strange at first, but then I realized he was just pretty drunk. He and his wife had apparently had a big fight and he stormed out to go drive somewhere. After 20 harrowing minutes, he dropped me back off at the pass and I walked over to Frank who was sorting her resupply. I got some food from the store, sorted my own resupply, and then Frank and I hiked out to get a few more miles in.
We got to Sand Lake and got a great spot right on the water. It was a really nice view, but I expect we'll have some condensation in the morning.
We also saw an Elk grazing across the water and watched it for a bit before eating dinner and going to bed.
Was the Knife’s Edge as scary as it looked on the video? Spectacular views indeed! Glad the older couple helped you get the package and it sounds like it was a hairy ride back. An elk! Is that the first one you’ve seen?
ReplyDeleteI didn't think it was scary, but exciting. That's the first elk I've seen on trail but I've seen others
DeleteUgh, we were holding your package and you in careful hands and are relieved all worked out just fine despite the circumstances. Maybe walking Knifes Edge was less hairy ? xo
ReplyDeleteKnife's Edge was definitely less hairy!
DeleteAbsolutely love The Knife's Edge! Another one I'd like to do some day. Pretty cool to see an elk!
ReplyDelete