PCT: Days 124 – 127

Day 124 – Oh the views!

Start: Timberline lodge – 2099.6
End: Muddy Fork creek – 2111.7
Miles: 12.1
Ascent: 4942 ft | Descent: 6542 ft

Start time: 10:38 am
End time: 5:12 pm
Current elevation: 2834 ft
Total PCT miles: 1374.3

It was a weird day today but it was a beautiful hiking day with gorgeous views of Mt. Hood.

It had been a very windy night but we slept well with our tent tucked into the trees behind the hotel. We woke up a little later than usual and packed up most of our gear. We opened our resupply box and sorted our food. Then it was time for the breakfast buffet at Timberline Lodge.

The staff had put out coffee and tea prior to opening of the restaurant. It was nice to sit and relax in the comfy chairs surrounding the central fireplace in the great room of this historic hotel. Outside the wind was strong and it was kicking up fine dust causing the glacier ravines to be filled with dust. In the valley below were also clouds as a cold front was moving through.

At 7:30 am it was time for the famous all-you-can eat breakfast buffet at Timberline Lodge. This was one of the can’t miss events for a PCT hiker. We each had at least three plates of food plus a few desert plates. We definitely got our money’s worth! All three of us were stuffed and in a food coma.

It was only 9 am and none of us wanted to go hiking yet. We went and packed up the rest of our gear and brought our backpacks down to the lodge. We decided to let our food settle, charge our electronics some more, and make some phone calls. Finally around 10:15 am we decided to hit the trail.

Shortly after leaving the Timberline Lodge we met up with a 19 year old who’s trail name is “Mini Chimi”. She was hiking solo at this time but we had previously met her and her trail family in the town of Lone Pine after we had all exited the Sierras. Chimis’ given name is actually Journey … so for the moment, Journey’s with Jeff and Ellen. She was good company and hiked with us for much of the day before hiking further ahead.

The trail went through the ski area and then back into the woods. We had a few more views of Mt. Hood. The trail dipped in and out of several old glacier canyons. They were deep with some water flowing at the bottom.

We got to ZigZag canyon and ZigZag Creek which of course came from ZigZag Glacier after about 3.5 miles. The hike down was steep but we were rewarded by some waterfalls in the canyon and another great view of Mt. Hood.

We started our climb out of the canyon when we got to the trail junction with Paradise Park loop trail. We had heard that this trail went above the tree line with spectacular views of the west side of Mt. Hood. It was the same distance as the PCT so we decided to take this alternate.

The Paradise Park loop trail did not disappoint! Once we got above the trees after a very steep climb, we felt like we were in the Alps. The mountain above us and the grassy meadows with wildflowers around us. It was pretty special and definitely worth the steep climb.

After another mile we were back on the PCT. As we were going down we entered the Sandy Wild and Scenic River area. This river started at the Sandy glacier on the northwest side of Mt.Hood. It had carved a deep canyon with sheer walls on the north side of the river. There were many waterfalls and the views were simply amazing.

Once at the bottom we had to cross Sandy river. All In and MiniChimi used a log to cross while we just waded across. We continued on a few miles to the Ramona Falls trail junction.

The Ramona Falls Trail parallels the PCT and is about the same distance … another can’t miss alternate! The waterfalls were spectacular and the surrounding forest was very lush and green.

Once back on the PCT we only had half a mile to the next creek, Muddy Fork creek. The creek was flowing pretty fast but for us there was a large well-used log to cross the creek. This is where we said goodbye to MiniChimi as she was going to hike a couple more hours: she wanted or needed to get to Cascade Locks by tomorrow, still 31 miles away!

Our campsite was a few hundred feet up the hill. We made camp, went back to the creek to wash up and then made dinner. Tomorrows plan is home some big miles so that the next day we have an easy hike out to the Washington State border at Cascade Locks.

Day 125 – Last full day in Oregon

Start: Muddy Fork creek – 2111.7
End: Eagle Creek – 2134.9
Miles: 23.2
Ascent: 4273 ft | Descent: 5582 ft

Start time: 6:26 am
End time: 6:03 pm
Current elevation: 1360 ft
Total PCT miles: 1397.5

First thing we had to do after packing up our campsite was a pretty steep 2.5 mile climb out of the valley. Once in a while we looked back and saw the north side of Mt. Hood. Around 9 am we got our first glimpse of Mt. Adams. Then a couple hours later we saw Mt. Rainier in the distance. Pretty cool as we will be walking past them both in the next couple of weeks.

As we continued north we passed through a section of trail that had seen some destruction. Not sure what happened, but there were about a dozen very trees toppled over at the base. These trees has a very shallow root system. We think it might have been some major wind gust.

After lunch we saw a lot of butterflies flying around by all the flowers. We counted several different types. It was fun trying to get a picture of each.

Such a a variety of flowers as well!

Around 3:30 pm we arrived at Indian Springs and saw all three volcanoes in a row: Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Adams.

Then we turned to go down the PCT alternate that would take us past a series of spectacular falls. The trail was very, very steep and very rocky. It was painful on the feet and knee this late in the day. After 1.9 miles of this terrible trail we got to Eagle Creek trail. The trail was smoother but narrow and overgrown. The best part of this trail was finding delicious blackberries and thimble berries.

Once at camp we set up and then swam and rinsed off in Eagle Creek.

Day 126 – We walked through Oregon!
Start: Eagle Creek – 2134.9
End: Bridge of the Gods – 2149.5
Miles: 14.6
Ascent: 1498 ft| Descent: 5339 ft

Start time: 6:46 am
End time: 11:41 am
Current elevation: 120 ft
Total PCT miles: 1412.1

We sort of slept in today as we only had about 10 miles to go. But somehow we got on the trail by 7am.

The trail slowly went downhill following Eagle Creek and we soon saw our first of many waterfalls. Over the next few miles the creek was beautiful. The water dropped, eddied, and flowed.

All the while we continued to hike through various berry patches. We still found thimble berries, blackberries, and what we think may be boysenberries. Either way they were delicious.

It took us almost an hour to go barely one mile. This would usually take us about 20-25 minutes. But we were too busy eating berries and taking pictures of Eagle Creek and it’s many features.

At some spots the trail was literally carved out of the cliff walls. It really wasn’t that narrow but chains had been installed along the wall to help hikers as a slip would result in a long fall down the cliff.

Then we rounded the corner to see the main attraction: Tunnel Falls. It did not disappoint! We all took our turn walking through the tunnel and behind the waterfall. It was pretty cool.

Once through Tunnel Falls the trail slowly got busier as day hikers were now making their way up the trail. The trail was also rocky in places which slowed us down.

Finally after what seemed to take forever we made it to the trailhead parking lot. Then it was another 3.2 miles to the bridge along the Gorge trail. It was a lot of up and downs and with a temperature in the 90’s.

Around 11:15 am we made the approach to the Bridge of the Gods over the Columbia River into Washington. The bridge has just one lane in each direction and no sidewalk so pedestrians. Fortunately the locals are used to seeing hikers on the bridge. We walked halfway across the bridge today so that we could touch Washington State. We now had walked the entire length of Oregon! We felt really accomplished and proud.

Then it was time to celebrate at Thunder Island brewery. The brewery offered a free beer to PCT hikers as part of the pay it forward program. We each got a beer and some food.

A few weeks ago one of our YouTube subscribers who’s lives in Vancouver, WA contacted us and wanted to meet us. Maureen met us at the brewery. It was nice meeting her and she bought us all ice cream at the local ice cream place called Mike’s. Maureen then drove us to our hotel in Hood River.

We again feel so blessed to be able to do hike this trail and to be able to meet so many generous people along the way.

Day 127 – Zero Day in Hood River

Start: Bridge of the Gods – 2149.5
End: – 2149.5
Miles: 0.0

All In was very kind to offer us space in his hotel room. He had earned lots of points through his previous work. We got up late and went down to breakfast and basically ate a lot of food. Then it was time to plan our next 250 miles or so in Washington.

We decided to break this section into three pieces, Cascade Locks to Trout Lake, Trout Lake to White Pass, and White Pass to Snoqualmie. This should take about about 11-13 days.

Then it was time to get on the local public bus to the Walmart for resupply. Unfortunately, this particular Walmart did not have every thing we needed so off to the Safeway we went. Once we got what we needed to was time to go back to the hotel and put our food together.

Ellen made some shakes using vanilla breakfast essentials, Nido milk, baby freeze dried yogurt melts, and some other fruits. She also made some cereal bags they included chia seeds, coconut, Nido milk, and breakfast essentials.

Jeff put together his meals of a Thai ramen that included ramen noodles, dried chives, and peanut butter. At camp he’ll add some olive oil for additional calories.

All In also made some shakes and put together the rest of his meals. After a couple hours of work our boxes and meals were done.

We went to dinner next door at Kobe Sushi. Then Ellen wanted to watch the Women’s World Cup. Tomorrow we hike into Washington!

Here is the next video!