Day 138 - Sunday, September 12

Tenting just past Suiattle Pass (mile 2553.4). Walked 27.9 miles today.

I woke up to light rain about 3:30 am and decided it wasn't worth closing the vestibule on my tent for it (it wasn't much and there was good tree cover). I woke up a couple hours later, refreshed and ready to go. Frank and I both ended up sleeping well last night which was definitely needed.

Frank had just left camp and I was getting my morning snacks out of my food bag when there was an accident and almost a tragedy. One of my Snickers bars slipped out of my hand and tumbled down the steep slope next to where I had pitched my tent. I watched in horror as it came to rest 30 feet below. Now, if this had been a fun size Snickers, I might have juat let it go, but this was a full size bar and I need every one of those 250 calories right now. I carefully climbed/slid down and got the bar and then just as carefully climbed back up. Crisis averted, I departed camp and crossed Milk Creek before beginning the first big climb of the day.

The trail was in poor shape: overgrown vegetation, eroding tread, and downed trees. We pushed through it and climbed a long series of switchbacks to the top and through an alpine area. There were some nice rock formations and it started to drizzle as we hiked down the other side.

The sun almost came out before it rained hard for about five minutes - just enough to soak everything just after it was almost completely dry. We continued down the mountain and over several big trees.

Around here, the PCT used to go straight across the Suiattle River but the bridge washed out a number of years ago. There's still a sketchy log crossing that you can do near here to cross the river. Frank and I are looking for adventure so we decided to try the log...just kidding, mom...we of course hiked the three miles downstream to the new bridge and in the process, hiked through a grove of massive trees: Western Red Cedar, Sitka Spruce, Western Hemlock, and Douglas-Fir.

These were some of the largest trees I've ever seen (and crawled over) and it was an amazing addition to the hike. (Photo courtesy of Frank.)

We got to the very sturdy (I-beam and concrete pillared) bridge and ate lunch on it, setting our stuff out to dry.

After a quick lunch, we hiked on, beginning a 3000+ foot climb over 11 miles. There were more downed trees in this section and no real views, but it was well graded and a pleasant climb. We reached the top and began the descent and after half a mile, reached camp for the night just about the time that the cold started to set in. We set up our tents and got into our bags. Another hiker, AC/DC, showed up and camped with us. I'm planning on getting out early tomorrow to make the mid-day bus into Stehekin.