Day 54 – Trout Lake Nero

I didn’t sleep well. I was thinking about going to town and worried that I would sleep through my alarm again and not get out of camp in “a timely manner.” It’s dumb, I know. I mean, when have I ever got out of camp more than 15 minutes after my plan? The things I obsess about!

I felt kind of sticky in my quilt, but when I would push it off my shoulders, I got cold. I can’t win. Maybe I need to wash my quilt. Ok, I DO need to wash it. Can you imagine sleeping on the same sheets on a cot on the patio for 54 days? You get my point.

To town

I keep things simple and wake up with my alarm. No member of the horde in camp is stirring. I start getting dressed, munching on breakfast and stuffing my pack – all from the sticky comfort of my quilt. At 4:45, the Wanders start stirring. I am out of camp by 5:15! The Wanders are idling near the camp entrance.

The first section of today’s hike is 1400 ft up for 5 miles. The pitch is mostly shallow with some steep sections mixed in. As I go, the “radar” birds start to sing. I don’t know what the real name of these birds are. Perhaps you do. Listen for the call at the beginning and end of the video. They sound like a laser beam.

The sun finally starts to reach the trail between the trees.

At my first break, the Wanders catch up to me. We basically walk to the top of the mountain together after that. At the top we get cell reception and Lynn calls our trail angel, Gerry. He agrees to pick us up at 10 am.

Land of Toys

Gerry is waiting at the trailhead when we arrive. He has been ferrying hikers since 1991! He gives us a short tour of the town. Then he drops us off at the store where we decide what to do next.

It turns out that one of the places that hikers can camp is behind Presbyterian Church. They open their social hall so hikers can use the bathroom, too. (If only all churches were so accommodating!) The campground has showers; the store has laundry machines. But first, we all want breakfast. The cafe/bakery/I cream parlor is down the street.

This town seems like the perfectly designed hiker trap. Have you seen the movie Pinocchio? Is this the Land of Toys? Will I awaken as a donkey tomorrow? I walk to the cafe for breakfast. It is there that I learn about a trail angel in town who is hosting hikers in his home. His name is Dave (yes, another awesome Dave) and he has room for one for one more tonight. I gladly accept and skip down there after my three-egg omelette. Dave shows me my room. A hiker named Still is collecting his stuff to move out.

Resupply

We walk to the store for supplies. I have eaten most of my food from the last section. It is another four days to White Pass. I am wondering what kind of candy they have. Sad, right?

The store has an odd selection. They don’t have flour tortillas but they do have Sour Patch Kids and blueberry licorice! I also buy a whole package of Oreos to go with my evaporated milk and Nestle Quick. I get some string cheese (good for about a week unrefrigerated) and beef sticks. There is a hiker box at the store, too. A hiker box is where hikers toss food and equipment they no longer need or want. I grab some electrolyte powder and dehydrated pears. The pears are super chewy, but they taste good and anyway what else do have to do during the day except hike. Might as well chew all day, too.

A weighty question

After the store we head down the the cafe again for more food. I get some kind of chicken pineapple sandwich. Very tasty. Out of the blue Still asks me: “What should I do with my life after hiking?” It is an interesting question. I mention that I am a Christian and how that affects my decisions. I will do some fun things that I like (running, brewing, writing) and some things that faith calls me to do (community work, volunteering). I don’t give him a straight answer. Instead I suggest that he be prepared to follow the path that seems “right”. Until that path opens, follow your dreams. Who knows, but that they might coincide someday.

Dave

Back at Dave’s house we watch a movie until the others get bored and go outside for drinking games. I work on my blog.

I am sitting with Dave in a lawn chair in his back yard. We are watching the others play cards as we chat. Dave is “semi-retired” and has started hosting hikers this year. Tonight he has five people including myself. We have the run of the house, great WiFi, free showers and laundry. It seems incredible that such generous people exist. A donation of your choice helps defray his expenses. Dave makes deli sandwiches at the local store. I will grab one on my way out of town in the morning.

It has been a great day of rest, food and new friends. I will leave as early as I can and hike as far as a must to maximize my experience at the goat Rocks Wilderness. The folks I have talked to today have confirmed the amazing nature of that section. One person saw 44 mountain goats. If I could see (talk to) one, it would be exciting.

• July 25
• Starting mile: 2219
• Ending mile: 2229
• Daily PCT miles: 10
• Total PCT miles: 857