tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70561404227313456072024-02-20T02:01:10.536-08:00Rhonda's Wanderings Hiking,backpacking and travel adventures around the Pacific Northwest and the world.solo2rmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265944932375045913noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056140422731345607.post-29635306278555611122012-09-14T15:41:00.001-07:002012-09-14T15:41:18.962-07:00June 2010- Neah Bay Area, WA<!--StartFragment--> <br />
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I have been in Washington a long time and never made it out to Neah Bay and always wanted to go and finally did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is one of the most beautiful spots in the state and we have many of them!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We stayed at <a href="http://www.chitobeach.com/">Chito Beach Resorts</a> and this is a very cozy and cool place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Allie and her husband are the owners and are really nice and helpful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each cabin has a theme and Allie has the smallest of details covered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stayed in the Wolf’s Den and even the drawer knobs have wolf heads on them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cabin has many amenities and is well stocked as far as utensils and even has tea and coffee stocked in the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wireless internet is included and the Wolf’s Den has a big picture window to watch the water when eating inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cabin has chairs on the porch, a picnic table and its own BBQ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The mattress here are extremely comfy that you don't want to get out of bed!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Wolf's Den</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front porch of Wolf's Den</td></tr>
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Great place to stay and relax and close to Neah Bay, the ONP (Olympic National Park) and other fun things to do.<br />
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<!--EndFragment-->solo2rmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265944932375045913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056140422731345607.post-16987517335540186082011-05-03T20:41:00.000-07:002011-05-03T20:41:48.537-07:00May 2010- Waldport, OR<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">I won an auction to stay at the <a href="http://www.ocean-odyssey.com/92_-_Captain's_Beach_House.htm">Captain’s House</a> in Waldport, OR and selected the holiday weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never spent any time on the Oregon coast, so was excited to go!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The drive down was long especially through Portland, but arrived after a scenic 9 hour drive.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">The house itself was okay, but the bedding was old, worn and too soft for me and wasn’t pleasant to sleep on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the beach was spectacular!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This house sits right smack dab in the middle of 6 miles of beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach view<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">The first day, we walked 3 miles to the north to the bridge going into Newport and it was nothing short of awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Played in the surf, with other people’s dogs and had a blast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the sound of the surf, as it soothes the soul.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking North<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><!--StartFragment--> </div><div class="MsoNormal">After a long day of walking, BBQ’d up some salmon and ate dinner on the back deck, watching the surf go by and the sunset!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came to calling sitting on the deck, “assume the position”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would sit there for hours and just watch and veg out.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on the beach<br />
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</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">The next day, we walked 3 miles to the south, and had a nice day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon returning to the house, after BBQing dinner, we again assumed the position to watch the world go by and relaxing.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking South<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was raining the next day as we left, but we enjoyed our stay at the Captain’s house and especially the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hope to return to stay again someday soon.<o:p></o:p></div><!--EndFragment--> <br />
<!--EndFragment-->solo2rmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265944932375045913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056140422731345607.post-4793671011317382072011-05-03T20:15:00.000-07:002011-05-03T20:15:44.576-07:00Back from Hiatus<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Back to blogging from my hiatus called grad school and now I have to catch up, as I’m 18 months behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The following are short reviews of places I did get to visit while in school.<o:p></o:p></div><!--EndFragment-->solo2rmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265944932375045913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056140422731345607.post-65781287849771929702010-09-24T16:28:00.000-07:002010-09-24T16:28:55.722-07:00Feb 27-28, 2010-Sun Mt Lodge-Days 2-3Awoke to a very nice and sunny day and was hoping to get some skiing in, but that wasn't going to happen today. Instead, I had heard about a guided nature tour around the lodge by a local biologist and was thinking about going but wanted to asses the snow first.<br />
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The room was gorgeous. Big bathroom with a big shower and jacuzzi tub, a nice gas fireplace and a king size bed. All the art in the room was designed and made by local artist including the headboard. Nice!<br />
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The dining room for breakfast was great with a nice view. The dining room sits over a ledge and you can see out over the Methow Valley. Beautiful! I had the egg skillet and it was huge and I almost ate all of it, giving a good try. Definitely could share that item with someone else.<br />
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I went on the nature hike with a guy named Hans, a local biologist and found out its a small world and Hans works with one of my classmates. The hike was maybe a couple of miles long and took about an hour, but I learned about the native plants, the beaver dam that was manmade to bring the beaver back to the Valley. However, Hans pointed out the beavers are in a political fight amongst the locals as they want to tear down the dam over water rights. Hans and I hope not.<br />
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We were on snow-shoes but could have easily walked and Hans seemed concerned over the lack of tracks. All in all, it was a great learning experience and Hans was a very nice guide. It was a good time.<br />
After the hike, I got ready for my massage.<br />
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Brianne was my masseuse and I had an hour hot-rock massage which was divine! Why haven't I had one of these before? I'll have to have another one those soon! <br />
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Dinner in the dining room was a one-of a-kind experience and it lived up to its 4 diamond rating. My waiter Steve was very knowledgeable about the menu and I began with a salad with roasted nuts and a truffle vinaigrette. Lovely and main course was antelope with a blackberry sauce. Very nice. Dessert was the chocolate fantasy ending a very impressive meal. After dinner, I played a few games of pool in the game room. I was so stuffed from dinner, there was no way I could have gone back to the room.<br />
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The next day another great breakfast, a drive home with a stop in Leavenworth rounded out a very nice weekend.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ivj8GaS5O0630Wg4lzmr2Y_MlO9C-Krlu1cXjhWVTINoGCyphob9sn5dJ4xdZ1JjicRdpCKqN3Jc4er5dcevScsY3Vh8U8qG44ON8hMcvy744zA37_VfSS67lNZcMN5ZEYGD1pwHj5E/s1600/IMG_2322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ivj8GaS5O0630Wg4lzmr2Y_MlO9C-Krlu1cXjhWVTINoGCyphob9sn5dJ4xdZ1JjicRdpCKqN3Jc4er5dcevScsY3Vh8U8qG44ON8hMcvy744zA37_VfSS67lNZcMN5ZEYGD1pwHj5E/s200/IMG_2322.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>solo2rmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265944932375045913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056140422731345607.post-44445028648637841422010-07-15T18:11:00.000-07:002010-07-15T18:11:43.512-07:00Feb 26, 2010 Sun Mountain Lodge Day 1Okay, I admit this is a different posting but I finally decided to go out to Winthrop, WA and the <a href="http://www.sunmountainlodge.com/">Sun Mountain Lodge</a>. Winthrop is know for its cross-country ski trails and the Sun Mountain Lodge is a 4 diamond rated resort and dining room. My trip dates were Feb 26-28.<br />
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The drive out was uneventful and took 5 hours. I took the I-90-US 97 route since it was snowing on Steven's Pass and Snoqualmie Pass was wet with no snow. It was shocking on the drive over that once I was east of the pass, there was NO SNOW. For us that means a probable drought this summer.<br />
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I arrived in Winthrop early with plans on meeting up with a friend and seeing her new house. It's beautiful with a great view along with heated flooring and wood beam ceilings. Very nice!<br />
Winthrop had some snow maybe 3-4 feet left and that is way below there average as well. This doesn't bode well for a weekend of skiing. About 3 pm, it started snowing pretty good, so we jumped up to go skiing. I went to check in at the Lodge with my friends meeting me there.<br />
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The Lodge is perched up on a small mountain sitting 1100 ft above the Methow Valley. I got checked in and see ensured my reservations were confirmed for my massage tomorrow. Odd thing here, when I inquired about dining room reservations, she kept trying to talk me out of it, directing me to eat at the more casual lounge. Now, I didn't come all this way to eat in the casual lounge and she finally made my dining room reservation for Saturday night. Not really sure what that was all about and I sure wouldn't expect that from a 4 diamond rated resort.<br />
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Upon arrival at the room, I really didn't want to leave to go skiing. It was more than I had hoped for and gave a sense of solitude and living it up! However, I had to changed into ski clothing and run out the door to meet my friends.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFAT-lwEZglGISOwTQQnI0l6r_Dek5pLGrWdTWLlnrC9SG8XDX9DCfsxk2U4NRXqPIlIPBIZmKRYiGX0tc0YiPxBj6nZfiAx0A-IfSNi4f6e8vxJeUx7wHuO9jErOZ0YtCNnHD3wM3v4/s1600/IMG_2281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFAT-lwEZglGISOwTQQnI0l6r_Dek5pLGrWdTWLlnrC9SG8XDX9DCfsxk2U4NRXqPIlIPBIZmKRYiGX0tc0YiPxBj6nZfiAx0A-IfSNi4f6e8vxJeUx7wHuO9jErOZ0YtCNnHD3wM3v4/s200/IMG_2281.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The entry way to the room</span></div><br />
We went down the mountain to a trail head close by and skied the Little Wolf trail, rated easy and it was fun. It has been quite a few years since I've been on skis, but the trail was easy including the hills. Since we started after 4 pm, we didn't need a trail pass, which was nice.<br />
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We finished up about 530 pm and got dropped off with plans for dinner at my friend's house. I got things settled and headed back down into town. The roads were slick and it was a very slow drive. I had a nice dinner and visit, but since the snow was still coming down, it was eat and run.<br />
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Arriving back at the SML, I enjoyed my room with plans to really enjoy this weekend.solo2rmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265944932375045913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056140422731345607.post-29535689263723593322010-02-02T15:40:00.000-08:002010-02-02T15:44:21.918-08:00Jan16, 2010- Alexander Falls, Whistler, BC-snow shoeingThe day started out nice and we were supposed to cross country ski, but it had been raining for the last few days and the snow was sparse and crusty, not ideal conditions.<br />
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We went to the Olympic Nordic Center outside of Whistler and people were XC skiing, I don't like to skiing on crusty snow, so we opted to snow shoe a 4 km loop track. However, after talking with the staff, he told me to back track the way we came as the back side of the loop is a steep descent and was extremely icy after yesterday's rain.<br />
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The track start down and is a rolling hill track and was very beautiful in the afternoon sun with soft, crunchy snow. It took a few minutes getting used to the shoes and trusting their grip. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9T1I1PY7L4pdD2AF-v9YTQNCT94yQu-tQ6GPp56xPrrIs6VMEt-QWYhTnS16wOYLUy3sLvJRQbb5TQM2-qN-3MF48lLQfzUk2BhFpk1uYPWPBfXWt4v8ypXqrn_g2u5U_BzTdxmXWFI/s1600-h/IMG_2202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9T1I1PY7L4pdD2AF-v9YTQNCT94yQu-tQ6GPp56xPrrIs6VMEt-QWYhTnS16wOYLUy3sLvJRQbb5TQM2-qN-3MF48lLQfzUk2BhFpk1uYPWPBfXWt4v8ypXqrn_g2u5U_BzTdxmXWFI/s200/IMG_2202.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Olympic ski jump area</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiju3vbK9RYztIYXx9OaxAMI0NnfIuG0w-fJOl7GuxndvOUp3HNLnAk53vaHVpmbN9Hcqydnu3bzrDkLWq8QsbDchEp8iFCzOnQAQqsHCDpFZi9oYclvQtm2HLqP_TkFPrzex3iz8myUfE/s1600-h/IMG_2195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiju3vbK9RYztIYXx9OaxAMI0NnfIuG0w-fJOl7GuxndvOUp3HNLnAk53vaHVpmbN9Hcqydnu3bzrDkLWq8QsbDchEp8iFCzOnQAQqsHCDpFZi9oYclvQtm2HLqP_TkFPrzex3iz8myUfE/s200/IMG_2195.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hilly trail</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEC8NuEgOxQLUuJPsP2NLYcNknjhIcyjhDpbOQvHajUqR6-VxJm60HxbByDw9COQMrgzH3IXs5N3B33Y0Q8UxABrZiQQIoAry-pPbJuhvPltWq77acBhyeh9aPZfjJHOwBowPQidSShU/s1600-h/IMG_2196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEC8NuEgOxQLUuJPsP2NLYcNknjhIcyjhDpbOQvHajUqR6-VxJm60HxbByDw9COQMrgzH3IXs5N3B33Y0Q8UxABrZiQQIoAry-pPbJuhvPltWq77acBhyeh9aPZfjJHOwBowPQidSShU/s200/IMG_2196.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Creek along the trail</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The trail was marked with ribbons on trees and in some parts cut out. The most challenging part was getting down to the river. The trail ended and you just had to sit on your butt and slide down a very short, steep and icy hill. Once down, it was a beautiful site.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4drKwPHgt6L1g-I5Uli3BPhtMTNF_N6x9NmX3BcnMo75etFyEnmLg-rgfHIMH7OjEn5-WC5HlhDKLqKaRC8pV1hMZLv4oPgz3a8X0zITWft6uwlkvsBgpRIB43QdeyedNUtRzSd52KEE/s1600-h/IMG_2209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4drKwPHgt6L1g-I5Uli3BPhtMTNF_N6x9NmX3BcnMo75etFyEnmLg-rgfHIMH7OjEn5-WC5HlhDKLqKaRC8pV1hMZLv4oPgz3a8X0zITWft6uwlkvsBgpRIB43QdeyedNUtRzSd52KEE/s200/IMG_2209.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">River</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a short distance to the falls and they were gorgeous! They were running fast and loud:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0fb1NUDVGTtLiYOW_1e7mhxO_yzijzFNKyTnDQwYKucg-7M2MHcidkLdDkuf61zHJP1Z0hiEEfjUpJ9iTsNTq6ibasAlaXtorozlURO-A1Fic-_HveashPTtoCCx_ZzblNP3WFIReDQ/s1600-h/IMG_2216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0fb1NUDVGTtLiYOW_1e7mhxO_yzijzFNKyTnDQwYKucg-7M2MHcidkLdDkuf61zHJP1Z0hiEEfjUpJ9iTsNTq6ibasAlaXtorozlURO-A1Fic-_HveashPTtoCCx_ZzblNP3WFIReDQ/s200/IMG_2216.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Alexander Falls</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The hike back was uneventful and it was a fun 3 mile hike through a winter wonderland.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>solo2rmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265944932375045913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056140422731345607.post-24740986631167212512009-09-20T21:13:00.000-07:002009-09-21T10:04:35.970-07:00Wonderland Trail Day 12: Indian Bar to White RiverAug 20<br />
Mileage: 13.5 miles<br />
Indian Bar: 5120 ft<br />
White River: 4300 ft<br />
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I didn't sleep particularly well as I was too wound up about finishing up. I had set my alarm for 0500 and woke up at 0450, so got up and went up the hill for a facilities visit and to grab the food bag. I had some tea and breakfast watching the sunrise and it was spectacular! After that, started packing up and getting ready to go. Also, I ate another meal and left camp around 0650 leaving my camp neighbors in their slumber.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Indian Bar shelter across</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">the river with the sunrise</span><br />
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I had to cross the river twice leaving camp once via the bridge the other via over a rock bridge and glad I left early in the day because in the afternoon the river runs higher with the melt-off so those rocks are under water. I had to look for rock cairns to navigate through some of the river bed and then headed uphill towards the Panhandle Gap not knowing what really to expect up there. By 0800 it was getting warm and I worked my way uphill and the scenery was really beautiful. I kept turning around to look towards the south and Mt. Adams and for a while I could look down and see the Indian Bar group shelter. Finally, I made the ridge and took a break and took a bunch of pictures as all around me were spectacular views. I kept looking around for the Gap not knowing really what it looked like and kept guessing it was higher up.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trail behind me</span> <br />
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I kept walking and enjoying the view along the way and finally started a down the trail and crossed a snow field and kept picking up rock cairns to navigate through the area and then started back uphill to the Gap. I then remembered reading that the PG (Panhandle Gap) had some trees by it and there it was right in front of me. Finally, I ran into another guy solo hiker, we talked a bit and I told him about the bear. He was surprised about that! From that point the trail went up and down and I had to cross another snow field which had no rock cairns so wasn't sure which way to go after crossing it, but found some boot prints and kept moving. I then had a long climb up to the saddle heading down to Summerland. I felt good and also felt I was making good time.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trail heading to the PG</span> <br />
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I took some pictures atop the saddle as the views were...no words...I had the mountain to my left, blue lakes with Summerland below me and valleys along with the east Casade Mountains behind me. About this time, I saw 2 hikers coming up the hill and what do you know, it was the brother and sister with the huge packs that I met on the west side. Kelly and Doug introduced themselves and we exchanged stories about our trail adventures. Kelly's pack was much smaller so she must have dumped some stuff somewhere and I told them about the bears. I asked about camp and they pointed to where it was and mentioned that it was a very steep and rocky descent. They then departed for the PG and I headed downhill.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaDGw2_ExQKUR7G_DuwfiLCPJ8L-NLe_9L4DCJmHh0P4C0sD66SrCi5tEa6UqKWMdjY-av0VtieZ9GBglEBmQXZdDMxcwM6frwXCTsK84b_Wa7Evd80dZveMZeuix-cNZlsyURGn0GOM/s1600-h/IMG_1987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaDGw2_ExQKUR7G_DuwfiLCPJ8L-NLe_9L4DCJmHh0P4C0sD66SrCi5tEa6UqKWMdjY-av0VtieZ9GBglEBmQXZdDMxcwM6frwXCTsK84b_Wa7Evd80dZveMZeuix-cNZlsyURGn0GOM/s200/IMG_1987.JPG" /></a>They weren't kidding on the descent, it was all rock and very slow going for me with my knees aching and watching my step so my ankle doesn't roll. Also, it was hot now and lots of day hikers out and about. I ran into a foursome that I met on the west side and talked with them and they took a picture of me. It is nice going CCW as one of the benefits of the direction is seeing people a second time and see how they are doing. Another benefit is not many people go this way and it is nice to have some space.<br />
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Doug had told me to get water before going to camp as there was a stream by the river, so arriving by the bridge to Fryingpan Creek, I dropped the pack and took a break to rehydrate, rest and refill the bladder. After hitting the trail again, I crossed the logbridge over the creek and the river was high. The trail was still rocky, downhill and now slick with water. I just took my time walking to be safe and stopped for pictures frequently. Finally, the rock gave way to dirt trail and I was never so happy to see a dirt trail as I was at that moment. My feet and knees were hurting bad and I began to wonder if I could make it to my car some 9.5 miles away. I crossed small creeks and beautiful wild flowers some that I haven't seen before. I arrived at the group shelter about 1115 but I didn't care that I walked a mile an hour here as this area is so stunning you have to stop and look or what's the point.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rainer with Summerland</span><br />
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I dropped my pack and noticed a woman hiking in a dress and she was at Devil's Dream, so another person I've seen twice. I walked towards the toilet as the toilet here is a solar powered compositing type. Sitting in the shade was a group of asian women enjoying the lunch of sushi and bento boxes. I just laughed about the fact that they hiked up here with those things in their packs. As I walked by they all said hi to me and got all excited about something. I went back to the shelter and broke out the stove and got some water started for lunch. I had pulled out a chili with rice meal and got water on it to rehydrate it. It was really good!<br />
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About that time, a guy came into camp and he looked familiar and a few minutes later the woman he was hiking with. I then remembered meeting them on the west side and the woman starting talking with me remembering me as well for the GPS. They ended up hanging out with me for an hour or so. Again we compared notes and they told me that I gave them good info and that I gave the best tips on the trail out of anyone. That was a nice compliment from someone. Steph and Dave were from Vancouver, WA and pretty much did the same route as myself except they were going CW. They asked about my food so I explained to them about dehydrating and making my own meals. It felt good to sit and eat and take an extended break with my boots off. After an hour or so, Steph and Dave were leaving and heading towards Indian Bar, so we said our good-byes. (Note to Steph and Dave; I've looked for your blog with no luck, so if you ever read this, email or leave a comment so I can contact you guys)<br />
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I got packed and ready to go and then the Asian ladies were all standing by the trail out of camp, so they all wanted to know about my trip. A few knew English and translated for the rest of the group and they were all amazed I was hiking by myself and the distance I have walked. They get together to day hike and go somewhere different all the time. An older lady then came into camp with the Asian ladies all excited about her, so with my 15 minutes of fame up, I bid them good-bye and left camp at 1400.<br />
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Distances from this point forward vary and the rangers told me it was 9 miles, so that's what I was expecting with the trail signs showing less. I left heading downhill in the heat of the day on a full belly feeling good except for my knees ached and my feet sore, but no worries, I was heading home! I ran into a mother/daughter team out day hiking and talked with them and they took some pictures of me. The trail went down via switchbacks until the second crossing of Fryingpan Creek and into the cooler forest. Steph had told me that the trail was wide, very nice and flat in some parts. She was right and it was a nice hike down but the knees and feet were starting to hurt in a big way and I began to wonder if maybe I should have stayed in camp. Dayhikers passed me from both directions and finally I made to the junction that heads to White River with the sign reading 2.7 miles. I was happy with less than 3 miles to go! I just shook my head as the trail headed uphill. This part of the trail is new and was completed in 2004, so I wasn't too happy to see any uphill at this point. I came to another junction with a trail sign saying 1.7 miles to White River and more uphill. I was cussing at this point as I've just hiked all these miles and have to finish hiking uphill!!!<br />
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Actually, after this uphill climb the trail leveled out and was very nice and I was hoping to make it to the car in about an hour. This is the part where the hair on the back of my neck stood up and I felt like I was being watched hoping it wasn't another bear! I couldn't take another run-in with a bruin and up the trail I found fresh bear scat on the trail probably an hour old or so. GREAT!! I kept looking around and making heaps of noise to scare any potential bears in the hood off. I also picked up the pace as the GPS showed me less than a mile away! I was starting to wonder when I would head downhill when the trail headed down just for a little bit and then the trail popped out on the river bed. Wow, I'm almost done!!!!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Heading out of the forest</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygxFVOP10b-arEKZNtjzEJs7a-mD_TTJWQPjnbAqvL7Os5W_530HHd3a5vMCMl2ifp8NHFh5a9WWsvqDdtQEL_InPUjM9VNA5GPnxdIlLK56WzUwOiDLndD_dHyq2phjRYFM2YHhrUkM/s1600-h/IMG_2029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygxFVOP10b-arEKZNtjzEJs7a-mD_TTJWQPjnbAqvL7Os5W_530HHd3a5vMCMl2ifp8NHFh5a9WWsvqDdtQEL_InPUjM9VNA5GPnxdIlLK56WzUwOiDLndD_dHyq2phjRYFM2YHhrUkM/s200/IMG_2029.JPG" /></a>I followed the rock cairns and trail to the log bridge and my last river crossing. This one was the scariest of them all, as the river was really high and fast being late in the day and the log bridge was different from the rest as you crossed one and had to step down onto another. I took my time and some pictures and walked through the picnic area to my car arriving at 1810. I had just completed the WLT solo and probably walked 95 miles with the trail detours!! There was no big celebration, just an urgent need to get my boots off as both my feet were numb. I dropped my pack, got the boots off and relaxed for a bit. I had a young lady walking through the parking lot take my picture, post hike celebration complete. We talked for a bit and she was working a summer job up at Sunrise and had summited Rainier early in the season. <br />
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I got cleaned up, changed and packed up the car and left. It felt weird driving again and I realized how exhausted I really was. Both my feet felt like ground hamburger and were numb and I was worried about that and wondering why as well. I drove to Enumclaw and did something I never ever do, stopped at McDonald's and got something to eat I was so hungry. I sat in the parking lot eating and called both Jim and Dawn to let them know I finished and was on the way home. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Post-hike</b></span><br />
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I had the next 3 days off of work and just did post hike recovery by sleeping and relaxing. I did stretch as much as possible. I couldn't wear shoes for like 10 days and even went to work with sandals on.<br />
The following week I was back in the gym working out and getting back to my normal routine.<br />
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I tried to curb my appetite as I didn't want to eat like I was still on the trail. Last time I did that, I gained a bunch of the weight back, so wanted to be conscious of my diet this time around.<br />
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People often asked me 'was it worth it?' or 'would I do it again?' My intial responses were, 'not sure' and 'ask me in six months'. Now after a month, I would answer 'yes' and 'yes' with looking at another go in 2012.<br />
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When I arrived back at work, my team of guys had a command post on the wall. I was really touched. They had put pins in the map when I arrived at camp and even printed out my SPOT maps for the all the days. Nothing beats some crew love!!!<br />
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I hope you enjoyed this blog of my journey around the mountain.solo2rmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265944932375045913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056140422731345607.post-75346720924767980762009-09-20T10:51:00.000-07:002009-09-20T10:51:44.750-07:00Wonderland Trail Day 11: Maple Creek to Indian BarAug 19<br />
Mileage: 10 miles<br />
Maple Creek: 2815 ft<br />
Indian Bar: 5120 ft<br />
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I woke up again at first light and got moving this morning as I knew I had a long walk most of it uphill today so I wanted to get an early start. Also, I wanted to beat the heat of the day as I was going to be exposed to the sun most of the day. I had breakfast and got packed and ready to go along with the guys next to me. They got up, packed the tent and left without eating anything and that is something I couldn't do as I need my energy. I left camp quietly at 0700 as the other in camp were still sleeping, heading towards Box Canyon which was some 2 miles away setting a 1 hour goal. I wanted to make Nickel Creek 3.3 miles away by 0900.<br />
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The hike started out flat to the river crossing and then the trail started uphill to Box Canyon. The climb wasn't too bad and the morning started to heat up. I arrived at Box Canyon around 0800 keeping the pace I wanted to. The trail turned into cement for the tourist so that was kind of nice for a little bit. I had never been to Box Canyon so it was pretty cool to see the Cowlitz River run through it as well to see what the river had carved out. There were no people there at 0800 so I had the place to myself, sweet! I took my time looking around and taking some pictures.<br />
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Getting on the trail again and heading uphill to Nickel Creek through a forest and crossed Nickel Creek. I wanted to stop and have a bottle of water with a Nuun tablet in it. I was feeling dehydrated already, but wanted to go to camp too so I arrived at camp at 0900. I took a break there and wanted to get water, but found out from some guys in camp that I had to hike back to the creek and I didn't want to walk backwards, so didn't go. I had a snack and started back on the uphill climb to Indian Bar.<br />
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I met a couple of older men on the trail heading to Maple Creek, so we talked for a few about the trail and the campsites. They told me I was in for a treat once I got to the top of this climb and that Indian Bar was really beautiful. I told them about Maple Creek and they were in the forest for the rest of their hike. After I left them, an older man and then an older women with her granddaughter passed me from behind on a day hike to Indian Bar and they were all moving pretty fast.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgul0tjtbGGdIzN9gzN7xqMtRbVHBQBmvuIWxKxAAbc3nVKAsL8rT9MzA_RxbSHTtfdVQU4F0Vr5DKM6LK8nzER1kriidxIDXlKaCN8nnxOPZM4cratg40wMmWSXFAGbQWCwK71e2amsmE/s1600-h/IMG_1781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgul0tjtbGGdIzN9gzN7xqMtRbVHBQBmvuIWxKxAAbc3nVKAsL8rT9MzA_RxbSHTtfdVQU4F0Vr5DKM6LK8nzER1kriidxIDXlKaCN8nnxOPZM4cratg40wMmWSXFAGbQWCwK71e2amsmE/s200/IMG_1781.JPG" /></a>I made it to the top and started climbing up some more but I was in the open and finally could view some scenery and it was beautiful. I turned around and I saw Mt Adams to the south, that was cool! At one point, I heard a jet engine and knew that noise, it was a Mcchord C-17 flying overhead and I got a picture of it. I'm guessing they were coming from the Yakima area since they were flying low level. That was cool and unexpected. I stopped under a tree for a break and a break from the heat. The black flies were out in full force bugging the hell out of me. You try to ignore them, but some of them little bastards started biting me. The wild flowers were beautiful and the scenery gorgeous especially to the east and south.<br />
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There were times where Rainier would be visible and it was breath taking to see it especially after my first 8 days. I was hoping to find a creek or some water but so far, nothing. There were some flat meadows and a few downhills along the way and this area started making up for the first part of the trip. Funny how a moment in time can make the past seem irrelevant or just flat out move your soul and I was having one of those moments. My camera cannot do this area any justice!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Beyond words</span> <br />
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There have been times in my life that scared the crap out of me most of it having to do with flying until today. I was walking along ridge line about 2.2 miles S/SE out of Indian Bar with a slope to my right and an uphill climb through a field of wild flowers via switchbacks on my left. The only bear reports I heard of were at Mystic Lake and that was way behind me. I was minding my own business and all of a sudden I hear this pounding of weight with growling noise come flying down the hill at me. I damn near jumped out of skin and looked to the left to see a blur of cinnamon colored fur going flying by me. I froze knowing it was a bear, but didn't see it and couldn't hear it and I was looking all around trying to find it. I didn't know if I had walked upon a mom and her cub or what, but I was way scared as I knew it was close. The black bears in the park are benign and there are no documented cases of black bears attacking humans in the park, but that doesn't mean anything.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQKV1vwKri8UHSjDsDaKaWk1wqhT4a2yIFuetax_StapaMqukkyY2Nj8nCOJ5H4DwroVFZTcb6MOA4SBnj_IIEHhRd-Hpn2Wsf6SODGTCkDqrhD8StmqztGWjgMG2aV4IMvl6SS__kC4/s1600-h/IMG_1799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQKV1vwKri8UHSjDsDaKaWk1wqhT4a2yIFuetax_StapaMqukkyY2Nj8nCOJ5H4DwroVFZTcb6MOA4SBnj_IIEHhRd-Hpn2Wsf6SODGTCkDqrhD8StmqztGWjgMG2aV4IMvl6SS__kC4/s200/IMG_1799.JPG" /></a>I was standing on the first switchback making noise, banging my hiking sticks and talking out loud to scare the bear as the rangers suggested but didn't see or hear anything, so I had no idea where it was or went. Also, I didn't see a bear run back up the uphill and the only thing I heard was my heart pounding in my head. I slowly headed up the switchbacks making noise and taking my time keeping my head on a swivel here. I got to the last switchback that headed to the meadow, so started to walk and about step 2, I heard a snorting noise and froze in mid-stride. There about 5 feet from me was a juvenile male bear with his butt towards me eating flowers. I banged my sticks and we both jumped as he swung around to face me. Again, I banged my sticks trying to look bigger and started yelling at the bear to GO. He didn't and stood there looking at me. I got a picture figuring it was proof and if he got me, the rangers would know what bear to look for. I started a mental self-assessment, thinking that I couldn't run as I had a pack on, the bear can run up to 35 mph, climb trees higher and faster than I could say it and I was born a slow white woman, so this was definitely a lose-lose situation. At the same time, I'm looking around for the other bear that came down the hill. The bear turned and faced me head on, crap now what do I do?!!!!<br />
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This is one of those weird moments in my life as I'm standing here talking with a bear trying to keep the moment lite and you are told is not to look a bear in the eye as they take it as a challenge. I asked the bear what he was going to do, and looking at him I could almost hear him say, " Lady, you are in my space, interrupting my lunch, DO YOU MIND, so get lost! I apologized to the bear for interrupting his lunch and asked for permission to move on. The bear then laid on his left side and continued to eat his flowers. I side stepped past him and kept walking. Holy shit!!!! I can't believe that just happened to me! About 20 minutes later when the adrenaline wore off, I bent over breathing heavy. To quote my friend Brian, "You step off the cement, you are now part of the food chain". I kept thinking, first I get a mountain goat following me up the trail over in the Olympics and now this! Can I see a marmot please? <br />
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The walk through the meadows were spectacular and the mountain views were beyond words. Walking on your feet can most certainly take you to some great places. Heading uphill some more, I was stopped under a tree for a shade break and the older lady and her grand daughter came down and we stopped to chat for a few minutes and she asked me if I had seen the bears. Uh, yeah I did and it didn't seem to be a big deal to her. She told me up over that ridge I would start heading down to camp and they left. So I finished climbing up and then started my 1800 ft decent into camp. It was about this time I ran out of water and was not happy about that.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Camp ahoy!</span> <br />
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The decent down was steep and tough on the knees after a long day and some people were now coming up and were breathing pretty hard. I finally made it to camp and saw a stream to my left by the group shelter and a bridge to my right. This guy came from the bridge and asked him if this was the place to get water and he said yeah and that the individual sites were to my right. I thought he was a hiker but found out later, he was part of a trail crew working at the camp. I dropped my pack and sat by the creek to rehydrate for a while and it was really hot now. I was curious about the group shelter but wanted to go check out the camp sites first. The bridge was missing a side of railing so you needed to pay attention so you wouldn't fall in the Ohanapecosh River and the Wauhauhaupauhen Falls, which were really loud.<br />
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The camp is built on a hill and I started looking around and I was the only one in camp again. I chose site #2 but didn't want to sit there as it was very open with no tree cover. I grabbed my water filter and some snacks and headed back to the creek. I filled my bladder up along with my bottle and went into the group shelter which was bigger inside than I thought and also much cooler inside. I was wondering where the guys went that I saw sitting here and were wondering if they were staying at the group shelter. Finally, they came back and then I found out they were trail crew. I told them about the bear and told them I may just stay in the group shelter if I'm the only one here and I wouldn't have to set up my tent. One of them said I had a good chance of staying there but if someone else came and had the site on their permit I would have to move. They left and I went and got my stuf2f to move it to the group site since it was already 1730 and nobody else had shown up.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Group Shelter at Indian Bar</span> <br />
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I was nervous about staying here figuring someone would show up late and I'd have to move in the dark. I had lunch and dinner, cleaned up but really never unpacked in the event someone did show up. Two guys showed up but went to the individual sites and didn't come over to where I was. I just hung outside in the shade enjoying the stunning beauty of this area with the sun setting upon it. It got to be about 2000 and I decided to risk it, so put the food on the pole and started to unpack. My original thought was to just pull out the sleeping bag and sleep on one on the bunks in the shelter, but then the mosquitoes came out and I heard some mice scurrying about. I set up the tent in the shelter to get away from the bugs. It was fun just to set up the tent that way and to sleep in the shelter. On the other hand, no cross breeze. About 2100, some Russian guy stuck his head in the shelter asking about a camp site, so told him how to get over there. No one else came to camp, so that was good for me.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The view from my front porch</span> <br />
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I wanted to get up a 0500 and head up to the Panhandle Gap before the heat and the trail crew guy told me it should take a couple of hours to get up there. I went to sleep knowing this was my last night and that I had a big long day in front of me as I decided to not stay at Summerland and finish up the WLT a day early.solo2rmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265944932375045913noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056140422731345607.post-42615507143144143232009-09-18T17:38:00.000-07:002009-09-18T17:49:15.582-07:00Wonderland Trail Day 10: Longmire to Maple CreekAug 18<br />
Mileage: 11.8 miles<br />
Longmire: 2800 ft<br />
Maple Creek: 2815<br />
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I woke up at 0600 again and took a long hot shower as I wouldn't have one for another 3-4 days, so I took advantage of it. I wanted to be in the dinning room about the time they opened since service is slow. I got downstairs about 0715 and had breakfast. Back in the room, finished packing and got ready to leave. Believe it or not, I did think about asking the rangers if any of the them were heading over to White River as I wasn't quite sure I still wanted to walk any further.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I left the NPI at 0900 in shorts as the day was supposed to be warm and this was a big swing of the pendulum here, rain my first 8 days and now leaving in shorts and its warm outside. I was moving along the trail, and popped out by Cougar Rock campground pretty fast. There are places on the trail that the signs really need to be re-aligned with the actual trail and this would be one of those spots because the trail sign looks to be saying continue on straight ahead when it really means to say 'take a right'. After looking for the trail, I looked at the map to see if Carter Falls was along the way, and it is, so off to the right I went and crossed the Nisqually River. I talked with a couple there and they took my picture with the mountain!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Nisqually River</span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Me on the Nisqually with</span><br />
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From that point on, guess what? That's right, it was all uphill! Carter Falls were cool to see however the tree cover does just that, cover, so snapped a few pictures and it was on to Madcap Falls. I made good time to the Paradise River camp and then it was on to Narda Falls. I talked to a few people on the trail and kept walking. I was supposed to meet a friend at Nards Falls but didn't hear from her, so pretty much knew she wasn't going to show. She wanted to hike to Maple Creek and spent the night out there and then hike back. I made it through the forest to Narda Falls, got a few pictures and waited about 20 minutes to see if she would show and I left there about 1220 solo. Heading uphill some more and I have to say its really weird hiking this part of the trail as you can hear the cars and lots of day hikers. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Madcap Falls</span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bridge being rebuilt; temp bridge in</span> <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Narda Falls</span> <br />
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I arrived at Reflection Lake and took a break to enjoy the beauty of the day and scenery. The pack was heavy from a re-supply so a break felt good after the uphill climb. The lake was a bit choppy but I managed to find a spot to get a partial reflection off the lake for a picture. The fish were jumping out of the water too. I put the pack back on and headed towards Louise Lake and at this point of the trail you have to walk along the road, which I didn't like much. Finding the trail again, I started heading downhill and thought about stopping at the lake, but kept going as it had to be like 90F. I had heard this part of the trail being very bushy and that the trail crews have a hard time keeping the trail up. I crossed the road for the final time and then it was all downhill to the Stevens Canyon River. I just hiked along through the plants, grasses and forests and kept moving eventually coming out down by the river and having to walk over a very rocky trail. There was a trail detour right before camp, but it didn't deviate too far. I crossed Maple Creek by the falls and found the camp arriving at 1530. There were 2 groups here already in camp having come in from Indian Bar.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Reflection Lake</span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Louise Lake</span> <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rainier from Stevens Canyon</span> <br />
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I took site #3 really wanted #4 but the sun was hot and that spot is wide open, so took #3. I got the tent set up minus the rainfly. I haven't set up my tent without the rain since day 2! I have to say, I like it better that way. The black flies were bad and at night the mosquitoes came out. I grabbed the water filter, bladder and the bottle and headed for the stream to cool off and rehydrate. I had run out of water about 1.5 miles out of camp and I could have stopped but wanted to get to camp more. There must have been something going on with the filter and it me a while to get the filter going. It was nice to relax in a shaded cool spot. I cleaned up as well when one of the boys from one of the groups came down. We talked a bit and I wanted info about tomorrow since it looked to be all uphill. He told me that Indian Bar was awesome and that I would like it. Then I remembered that I had run into his group somewhere on the west side. I might add here that this camp had the nastiest toilet on the trail!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpfZibg69aBiZ4czYZ2RrwquoPpqcRMNevuD3bWFVI7vvgPsMLI5YfV7jUWqWJGYWR0ULUMDYiX7DDA1kF_trgnwB0SkfIJWvPIB9Mu-MElOhFQ0Is3OPdE8usqw_90e6v5jtVYCLXP0/s1600-h/IMG_1729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpfZibg69aBiZ4czYZ2RrwquoPpqcRMNevuD3bWFVI7vvgPsMLI5YfV7jUWqWJGYWR0ULUMDYiX7DDA1kF_trgnwB0SkfIJWvPIB9Mu-MElOhFQ0Is3OPdE8usqw_90e6v5jtVYCLXP0/s200/IMG_1729.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Stevens Canyon Creek</span> <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Maple Creek Falls</span> <br />
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Back at the site, made dinner eating only one meal as it was a meal for two. I got things ready for tomorrow and just hung out in the tent to get away from the flies. Around 1900, a few helicopters were flying to the south and west so I was wondering what was going on, maybe a search and rescue or something. They finally quit flying overhead and it was quiet again.<br />
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It was almost too hot to sleep, but tried anyway and decided that on the last day I was going to hike out and not stay at Summerland. I was okay with that decision knowing it was like 14 miles but I wanted to be done. I'll say this part of the trail with the exception of Reflection Lake was pretty boring, hence the not too exciting blog entry.solo2rmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265944932375045913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056140422731345607.post-20743212619824499312009-09-13T20:09:00.000-07:002009-09-14T10:40:26.062-07:00Wonderland Trail Day 9: LongmireAug 17<br />
Mileage: 0<br />
Longmire: 2800 ft<br />
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I woke up again at first light after a restless night of sleep in the back of Jen's car. Come to think of it, I have slept restless this whole trip so far, which is unusual for me especially in the back-country where I sleep very well. I got up and walked around Longmire for a bit. It is a peaceful place in the early morning and without the hoards of tourists around. I went and got my camera to get some pictures before the place got busy. Jim found me and we walked around looking at stuff and talked about my hike. I told him at this point I wasn't sure I wanted to finish, but we'll see tomorrow. It then dawned on me that I was on the south side of the mountain and 2/3 of the way done! Wow, guess I have walked a long way already!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBhmGOddt5RDXvfz_0xVsSlADguChpkTw744rfBIvXqTnMb-Fwu5cmbQMC224WAGoa-NAxA3bCmGRoVCWWyNdkaqlstkgpmUHkAlO7yUahNKJ447CNSk_2w6OxN6TAmx9WHau08V6btM/s1600-h/IMG_1619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBhmGOddt5RDXvfz_0xVsSlADguChpkTw744rfBIvXqTnMb-Fwu5cmbQMC224WAGoa-NAxA3bCmGRoVCWWyNdkaqlstkgpmUHkAlO7yUahNKJ447CNSk_2w6OxN6TAmx9WHau08V6btM/s200/IMG_1619.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Back of the NPI</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKtcUTmWZoKESMO0E4pFwImqoJFb9U-tSGEA_4CxhIKk6QqoP8F3HmGhhsWXsdTsnWBXoyVhmoXnLcnDX4gOTr-MZ7Ui41bhnkGdQOtPp3SzzoJKJPX80Hg8Lku_qhHXo8LdUbQiuwqE/s1600-h/IMG_1622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKtcUTmWZoKESMO0E4pFwImqoJFb9U-tSGEA_4CxhIKk6QqoP8F3HmGhhsWXsdTsnWBXoyVhmoXnLcnDX4gOTr-MZ7Ui41bhnkGdQOtPp3SzzoJKJPX80Hg8Lku_qhHXo8LdUbQiuwqE/s200/IMG_1622.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sunrise on the mountain</span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKqarHBbG1FQtOTHZNpkfHaTf5JEt40O_3KxwayCZsJ3xPXDO_tAwF4y_GWua8Y6A77zmV4ljaDy-bt3kA18xbTbe5505WA5uNj4px2nXM90g4ha1GJQr3fQqRKqQ0MNeTXGeE_FW6_4/s1600-h/IMG_1626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKqarHBbG1FQtOTHZNpkfHaTf5JEt40O_3KxwayCZsJ3xPXDO_tAwF4y_GWua8Y6A77zmV4ljaDy-bt3kA18xbTbe5505WA5uNj4px2nXM90g4ha1GJQr3fQqRKqQ0MNeTXGeE_FW6_4/s200/IMG_1626.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Front of NPI</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vuPtucCGoqOd4hzfPVlaZLoz1ceXrZNwghIpVb7dIhekhXZulDgMLRwrruEt9l9whNxHBQzDl5gnghIia9d6bgLGYt33srO7l4HlWmGEwMz46rOgOd05IMLtlCeTRtuSbRT2N7pLoDg/s1600-h/IMG_1636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vuPtucCGoqOd4hzfPVlaZLoz1ceXrZNwghIpVb7dIhekhXZulDgMLRwrruEt9l9whNxHBQzDl5gnghIia9d6bgLGYt33srO7l4HlWmGEwMz46rOgOd05IMLtlCeTRtuSbRT2N7pLoDg/s200/IMG_1636.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Old gas station and Kenworth</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">shuttle on display; NPI in back</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
Jim and I headed to breakfast as Jen was sleeping in, so we talked over coffee. Jen finally joined us and we ordered and had breakfast. I really needed to dry everything out in my pack and swap the rest of my stuff out, so we grabbed my pack and spread everything out in the back of Jim's pick-up and I mean everything!<br />
My first-aid kit was soaked through, so ended up throwing most of it away and dried out the gauze pads and a few other items. The tourists started arriving at Longmire and looking at the truck funny, as they were trying to figure it all out. Jim and Jen left to go up to Paradise and I hung with my stuff trying to catch up on my journal and flip stuff over to make sure everything was dried out. The late morning sun was hot and it was a beautiful day!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVbPe6iB7NuME8TODenDK7SreCR6cTVo6ibIWL2EICqOodrMDYBCni_WchOSV3XG-Yie9CgtNZmri1knieEMPGGfGXfWhKjmnvnPTKjVf-_V_AD9bSp2x7orjwU9C5Y3wWtSQDLAM1QA/s1600-h/IMG_1644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVbPe6iB7NuME8TODenDK7SreCR6cTVo6ibIWL2EICqOodrMDYBCni_WchOSV3XG-Yie9CgtNZmri1knieEMPGGfGXfWhKjmnvnPTKjVf-_V_AD9bSp2x7orjwU9C5Y3wWtSQDLAM1QA/s200/IMG_1644.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jim's pick-up gear drying service</span></div><br />
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I swapped out the food and my clothes and started packing up my stuff as things were drying out. A family walked by and the dad asked what I was doing as I had nice stuff so I told him. His 8 year old daughter swung around to face me and asks me if I'm staying out in the wilderness as there are bears out there, I'm not allowed to be out there! We all laughed and I told her that I hope not to see any bears at least up close. It was cute, but I think she jinxed me too!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjczUYrSmyAViPEfN7nqQydTfAqqIB2izgQnIvDLk1FxUnwF5j8nCvaWAz4hq18S9avCZENL3qK1SMwIh-ndhWNWASvzj7v0-e9GhGSjv4QB6K3e1yzoaUS7YosSiM11iMP2bIlpzRBIg/s1600-h/IMG_1647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjczUYrSmyAViPEfN7nqQydTfAqqIB2izgQnIvDLk1FxUnwF5j8nCvaWAz4hq18S9avCZENL3qK1SMwIh-ndhWNWASvzj7v0-e9GhGSjv4QB6K3e1yzoaUS7YosSiM11iMP2bIlpzRBIg/s200/IMG_1647.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mt Rainier</span></div><br />
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Jim and Jen came back from Paradise saying it was already too crowded, so we finished packing everything up and went to eat lunch. After that, they wanted to head home and I found out I couldn't check into my room at the NPI until 1600, which left me sitting around for a few hours. Jim and Jen left and I was awaiting the arrival of a friend who was coming out to hang out and stay the night.<br />
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I finally got checked in my room, took a nice long soaking bath and just hung out to relax. I also wanted to do a load of laundry getting my "camp clothes" clean for the next part of the trail. So, I hung out on the inn porch and doing laundry. There was a note on my door saying my friend wasn't coming, which made me mad as I could have invited someone else to come out. Oh well, I went and had dinner and headed back to the room to finish packing and finally went to bed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This day and a half off at Longmire was a very good thing. It rested my feet, dried out my gear, restocked my food and changed out my clothing. In other words, I had an attitude adjustment!solo2rmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265944932375045913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056140422731345607.post-51113630207936874202009-09-13T17:05:00.000-07:002009-09-13T19:31:34.940-07:00Wonderland Trail Day 8: Devil's Dream to LongmireAug 16<br />
Mileage: 5.8 miles<br />
Devil's Dream: 5060 ft<br />
Longmire: 2800 ft<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_iyncuC0v_Iz3GpSa_HoQN9X6NGV065US0zCxQZ7X6MEx8Tj2RsTEH2zpkec8KQY6-GMp5oZ3pFcWYFk-J600cWWXZ7rvYHfbUEELS5V1XahCdMsryaYsxogSJ6mvQmbXenfA-05AG0/s1600-h/IMG_1582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_iyncuC0v_Iz3GpSa_HoQN9X6NGV065US0zCxQZ7X6MEx8Tj2RsTEH2zpkec8KQY6-GMp5oZ3pFcWYFk-J600cWWXZ7rvYHfbUEELS5V1XahCdMsryaYsxogSJ6mvQmbXenfA-05AG0/s200/IMG_1582.JPG" /></a>I woke up around 0700, got dressed and the tent was wet as it was pretty foggy outside but at least it wasn't raining. I had breakfast with the mosquitoes swarming all around me and started packing up. I seemed to be having a problem this morning getting going and packing up for what ever reason. The sun came out and was shining on my tent, so once again while I ate another meal, I let the sun shine on the tent.<br />
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I left camp at 0945 with a goal of arriving at Longmire about 1300-1330 and today was mostly downhill except for a climb up the Ramparts. Today was the first day since day 2 that I left camp without the rain gear on and it felt weird not wearing it. I had a long sleeve shirt on to keep the bug bites to a minimum.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UBINtFfaHFbiJ4I1g6S2DYGL6Vtq4SWvIBTr45tlD4j7mMLQ8TRi5CqgePMHLxvDQyYeNcJv0W3UpNIsU5lPowBFsxYcyl-EPi6xYkK0L28JQFAMutHUMK2knjWzjrLEr9sIfQoU7o8/s1600-h/IMG_1584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UBINtFfaHFbiJ4I1g6S2DYGL6Vtq4SWvIBTr45tlD4j7mMLQ8TRi5CqgePMHLxvDQyYeNcJv0W3UpNIsU5lPowBFsxYcyl-EPi6xYkK0L28JQFAMutHUMK2knjWzjrLEr9sIfQoU7o8/s200/IMG_1584.JPG" /></a></div>Right after camp is a canyon that had pretty cool rock formations and it was really deep from the ridge I was standing on. Passed heaps of people on the trail many of whom smelled like soap and fresh clothing unlike me who hadn't had a shower in 8 days. I talked with some and other just said hi to others. One group of 3 were pretty funny and I enjoyed talking with them. They stayed at the Pyramid Creek campground. Huh? That campground is open again? For those of you who don't know, that area sustained heavy damage during the flood of 2006 and the campground had been closed since then. <br />
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I made it to the Pyramid Creek crossing in about an hour, dropped the pack, took off the long sleeve shirt and had a snack. The sun was out and it was starting to get pretty warm. Finally, a nice sunny day and it felt wonderful! Made it across the creek and came upon Pyramid Creek campground. It must be open as the signs are up for it. That's good news for hikers and the park!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95BgHJwlTsaVideh3nkm0lzJqQLiuBvXX3CIth4J7oxOiwj7rIBXRRB5etCclm9dtFu9AmRCTTBwDPZ_R4jn1FWV7E7vh4BTfkNmQb2XkKLlV921x3PscduKSWHPgRV6WPOwMHz0XI60/s1600-h/IMG_1586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95BgHJwlTsaVideh3nkm0lzJqQLiuBvXX3CIth4J7oxOiwj7rIBXRRB5etCclm9dtFu9AmRCTTBwDPZ_R4jn1FWV7E7vh4BTfkNmQb2XkKLlV921x3PscduKSWHPgRV6WPOwMHz0XI60/s200/IMG_1586.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Pyramid Creek crossing </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFObqLjTIlniB4aSTKfiww0LxcoRLBQOAve5RxulzgxcKWWRKp1CU0akeDQiQPKzM6XZqQkVxKlxA27Js-cZ7PzowJfreVJtuhbemgMygH0N_REzbUMl1olMqw-Yaoe0b07vGXL8xC80/s1600-h/IMG_1588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFObqLjTIlniB4aSTKfiww0LxcoRLBQOAve5RxulzgxcKWWRKp1CU0akeDQiQPKzM6XZqQkVxKlxA27Js-cZ7PzowJfreVJtuhbemgMygH0N_REzbUMl1olMqw-Yaoe0b07vGXL8xC80/s200/IMG_1588.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pyramid Creek</span> </div><br />
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Right after passing the campground, came to the Kautz River crossing. The trail was blocked off and again heavy damage from flooding. The trail had moved to the left and it was marked with ribbons. I could see the trail down on the river bed, I just could not find the trail to get down to it. I walked to the last ribbon and looked around to no avail, so started over and repeated. However, turning to my right, behind a rock I saw a pole hole and a foot print, and found the trail down. The ribbon should have been by the rock not on a tree away from it. Made my way to the log bridge stopping to look at the flood damage, Wow!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL759f3vKTVJajhrBUj4M6SpTmyK0-HXTdeyHQV9Dk9X_faZaylEh-KN2cRYZTDgvGcnS_kWcfdi6InpUu5F9kbDl9w4pv3e4Obucr4lQAe9W6FFtLhe5nBknIf-hw-qrhMbsVvvgG38k/s1600-h/IMG_1590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL759f3vKTVJajhrBUj4M6SpTmyK0-HXTdeyHQV9Dk9X_faZaylEh-KN2cRYZTDgvGcnS_kWcfdi6InpUu5F9kbDl9w4pv3e4Obucr4lQAe9W6FFtLhe5nBknIf-hw-qrhMbsVvvgG38k/s200/IMG_1590.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Kautz Creek</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXigivR7XrcxQU2jUGAJ6s_iz0x7X7oPuTsE4gBkclbsvT3L4f7wUq_3fLiq5zRgzTJ64RmWPTIZmxMYLNs7cj6-EBKNl70mC8I-L3mxRRICGIwf-zO4Y3eDNLHL8XODxX5FHZxhIFHU/s1600-h/IMG_1597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXigivR7XrcxQU2jUGAJ6s_iz0x7X7oPuTsE4gBkclbsvT3L4f7wUq_3fLiq5zRgzTJ64RmWPTIZmxMYLNs7cj6-EBKNl70mC8I-L3mxRRICGIwf-zO4Y3eDNLHL8XODxX5FHZxhIFHU/s200/IMG_1597.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Flood damage by Kautz Creek. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Look to the right for the trail down. </span></div><br />
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Safely across the river and back on the trail heading up the Ramparts and ran into a Canadian couple who were out hiking the PCT and decided to add on the WLT! That's way ambitious! They were caught in the 5 days of rain as well on the PCT and were happy to see the sun. Coming down the hill into Longmire, I could now hear the Harley motorcycles screaming along as well as cars. The trail pops out by the road and when you have been out in the woods for 8 days, your senses are heightened, so smelling car exhaust was not a pleasant experience.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTcbJezKfzYmzQyqtjdRVCHpQH1UyAIBnsnz6KnQmke69OfQHu0hN7ApaORNQOTE2Bvywp1agi1acrEiLf72LNDn1v-BCeXNdUp8JjlTX4ViP-c-aq5aezHqPlKOlHprPTbDkdSqwcEU/s1600-h/IMG_1604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTcbJezKfzYmzQyqtjdRVCHpQH1UyAIBnsnz6KnQmke69OfQHu0hN7ApaORNQOTE2Bvywp1agi1acrEiLf72LNDn1v-BCeXNdUp8JjlTX4ViP-c-aq5aezHqPlKOlHprPTbDkdSqwcEU/s200/IMG_1604.JPG" /></a></div>I made it to Longmire at 1315 and started looking for Jen. I made my way to the National Park Inn (NPI) porch and sat for a while, putting on my sandals. I cannot tell you how great it felt to do that. I wanted to go into the restaurant to eat, but wanted to find Jen first. Longmire was way too crowded and loud for me and I found out it was a free weekend at the park, so no admission. Around 1430, I headed over by the store and looked for a place to dry out the tent and some other things. I had the tent spread out all over the grass out back and people looked at me funny and I was daring any of the staff to say anything, but they must be used to it. The afternoon sun was so hot that it took all of 30 minutes for all parts of my tent to dry, so got that packed away and saw Jen driving around the parking lot, so I waited by the parking lot door of the inn. Jen and Jim came out Longmire to bring me my food cache.<br />
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Jen finally showed up and had checked into their room already, so we had to walk all the way back to her car to get my clothes. I finally had a shower, but it was short and sweet as it was 1610 and the dining room closed at 1630 for lunch. We got a table at 1629 and the wait staff was upset about it. At the NPI restaurant, the food is okay and over priced, the service mediocre and once you realize that you'll get along fine. If you are expecting something great or in a hurry, try something else. I ordered a cheeseburger because I was craving salt and its a backpacking tradition! It tasted good enough that I ate it down pretty fast.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnEOSC-U0D4YXSy8BlJCoPzpKB9EqT0OpLo4f7524wB3xGkUqVoF43WCMC054fRFZBml1j8ot881fIkx6jgMBfS2wMkKobI5OwHqDSpO31qC9psIOdfJPUlEHkrf_Rg8pB95CNKYFZFE/s1600-h/IMG_1615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnEOSC-U0D4YXSy8BlJCoPzpKB9EqT0OpLo4f7524wB3xGkUqVoF43WCMC054fRFZBml1j8ot881fIkx6jgMBfS2wMkKobI5OwHqDSpO31qC9psIOdfJPUlEHkrf_Rg8pB95CNKYFZFE/s200/IMG_1615.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mt Rainier</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuqpT4P83kmTy4KIlGhGg8nf3c046tYrzU8z9tK39oHcuGi4AF-ZFTI3awzUdRXZuYyPuInJ81ZbjoOsmm-VCFtSnt2K-7CJwCGGLiIjjtzq4RdE4o_5R0Jp4YZSSu3PRXmntw9-7UeM/s1600-h/IMG_1608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuqpT4P83kmTy4KIlGhGg8nf3c046tYrzU8z9tK39oHcuGi4AF-ZFTI3awzUdRXZuYyPuInJ81ZbjoOsmm-VCFtSnt2K-7CJwCGGLiIjjtzq4RdE4o_5R0Jp4YZSSu3PRXmntw9-7UeM/s200/IMG_1608.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Me at Longmire</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>After lunch, Jen and I went out to her car and changed some things out as well as get the car set up for me to sleep in. Yes, I had sleep in the car and no I didn't mind as it wasn't a wet cold tent! We also moved the car before dinner at 2000. Jen and I had a late dinner hoping Jim would join us, but he didn't show up yet. Jim finally showed up and we talked about the trip and he walked me out to the car and helped me get settled.<br />
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All in all a good day and I was happy to have a rest from the grind of the trail and for a chance to have my feet out of my boots for a few days. Best of all, it wasn't raining!solo2rmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265944932375045913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056140422731345607.post-46292606454387100952009-09-12T22:29:00.000-07:002009-09-14T10:35:37.318-07:00Wonderland Trail Day 7: Klapactche Park to Devil's DreamAug 15<br />
Mileage: 10.7 miles<br />
Klapatche Park: 5515 ft<br />
Devil's Dream: 5060 ft<br />
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I woke up at the crack of dawn again and was actually in a good mood wanting to be positive about moving forward a day on the trail. Also, it was not raining, but a heavy misty fog and it was cold. I got dressed and had breakfast of cold cereal. I had an energy bar in my pocket night before I went to sleep, so stuck in my pot hoping the mice wouldn't get to it, but they did, not leaving too big a mess. Hope those dates gave them stomach problems. :)<br />
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Got my pot cleaned up and heated up some water and ate another meal as I was still hungry. This is becoming normal for me eating two meals at breakfast and dinner. I wanted to be by the lake on the phone at 0730 talking with the rangers to see if I could go on to Devil's Dream today and before they gave out permits to walk-ins. I called the White River Ranger Station, however, they didn't have the computers up yet, so I had to wait until they had it up and running. An expensive 15 minutes later, I got confirmation to go on to on to Devil's Dream, so I was really happy and knew I had a long day again. I called Jen to tell her I would meet them at Longmire on Sunday and if they couldn't get me a room for Sunday night, I would sleep in one of their cars. I went back to camp to pack up and left camp at 0855 and took a few pictures of Klapatche Lake.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRW2CWVWFD6fU-A2nyJ3IUefQGrGAOs7LrUBylnkg5Q_uuIOP6LREreP67BdXP8oBZ1qLtCU_V-EhENhbBt4P_uRU3GqezElDxljhbaOM9xLGkWZdfCzsJq-I29wXpk4GUC8SV8yOobTw/s1600-h/IMG_1488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRW2CWVWFD6fU-A2nyJ3IUefQGrGAOs7LrUBylnkg5Q_uuIOP6LREreP67BdXP8oBZ1qLtCU_V-EhENhbBt4P_uRU3GqezElDxljhbaOM9xLGkWZdfCzsJq-I29wXpk4GUC8SV8yOobTw/s200/IMG_1488.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Klapatche Lake</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div><br />
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Headed uphill to St Andrews Lake and the park was gorgeous with the fog and the morning dew. My plan was to arrive at S. Puyallup River Camp in 3 hours since it was 4 miles away and have lunch, so wanted to move as fast I could today. I hit the ridge line and a miracle happened, yup after 7 days on trail, there was the mountain and the sun came out! I grabbed my camera and took some pictures watching the fog roll up from the valley below and then no more mountain. Well, that made my day and put a spring in my step. The mountain is beautiful up close like that.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFBOO0npA0SrmgiNizWy2r_494pbGPZIme9sj0-mQmh22Co-3dCIlj8BOTOZzsX7cghgr57QliwcwiEtMkVwa2HfHqNhiVhxw7ioidoyjZ4qQYaB77ig8ovqzciXuSIKHitnLHUECE_I/s1600-h/IMG_1496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFBOO0npA0SrmgiNizWy2r_494pbGPZIme9sj0-mQmh22Co-3dCIlj8BOTOZzsX7cghgr57QliwcwiEtMkVwa2HfHqNhiVhxw7ioidoyjZ4qQYaB77ig8ovqzciXuSIKHitnLHUECE_I/s200/IMG_1496.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">WLT uphill thru Klapatche Park</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQ-JKlcMgRGBjiNVx8pO7AdRv7nZa4OL9RAJMF0U9EcpBAnzb_vlkZ74rU8xyhQT1b7EZ66n0KVD6r0HDm5-h-_LQpD0rWqMr2-1hxPshUIJhf10U1piBCkEm7sUFBOxi7tBqaYBhrLg/s1600-h/IMG_1501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQ-JKlcMgRGBjiNVx8pO7AdRv7nZa4OL9RAJMF0U9EcpBAnzb_vlkZ74rU8xyhQT1b7EZ66n0KVD6r0HDm5-h-_LQpD0rWqMr2-1hxPshUIJhf10U1piBCkEm7sUFBOxi7tBqaYBhrLg/s200/IMG_1501.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Klapatche Park</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhTOLvNRDaEzMnPBKUXKt1sac_5m2XvAujV5mqvdR99fT2xLLyiGMkn6frlLw7EPYMBDsa6344ZrNmfNokmHJl8OW-J2Zj69lPgeq4SiV9U0U5hGTIbgPI51gDMeLCHWnMVupJ3hiREY/s1600-h/IMG_1509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhTOLvNRDaEzMnPBKUXKt1sac_5m2XvAujV5mqvdR99fT2xLLyiGMkn6frlLw7EPYMBDsa6344ZrNmfNokmHJl8OW-J2Zj69lPgeq4SiV9U0U5hGTIbgPI51gDMeLCHWnMVupJ3hiREY/s200/IMG_1509.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hey look, sun and Mt Rainier</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SLFpskEwEd9Y3OMHRxfUxQF8QzL949ZYnMlYuezXqWwaWbjKljXLW1zDrF-slsv5oiJkXvWXJQeAZCzZUfntStr9vAaxQ72uggAzduL15_isRzfd168P6u8WbjcmaT2dTnOKE7Ljqpw/s1600-h/IMG_1518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SLFpskEwEd9Y3OMHRxfUxQF8QzL949ZYnMlYuezXqWwaWbjKljXLW1zDrF-slsv5oiJkXvWXJQeAZCzZUfntStr9vAaxQ72uggAzduL15_isRzfd168P6u8WbjcmaT2dTnOKE7Ljqpw/s200/IMG_1518.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Just that quick, the fog rolls in</span> </div><br />
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I arrived at St Andrews Lake and the sun came back out and the fog was rolling about and got some good pictures there. I dropped my pack and had a snack for a few minutes and then moved on. The trail heading up and up to the ridge line. Also, it dawned on me that I was half way done with the WLT and on the west side heading to the southwest, cool! I met a few thru-hikers along the way from the Midwest so we chatted a bit and I had one guy from Ohio get my picture. I met another group of hikers and traded camp info and the woman like my GPS so we talked about it for a bit. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgha9IaiowEbpTlmtT_leUpGLeAn3GDgpUjX44nb8mbtL0A_Am04jNa1VsvGBGxccwgiSxpkl-jBw_6NMwboSoFq40NbesulRQjUjcZYcOxkHPnOgP1zZkg2NrZMASrolcy__5Cg0lne9A/s1600-h/IMG_1521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgha9IaiowEbpTlmtT_leUpGLeAn3GDgpUjX44nb8mbtL0A_Am04jNa1VsvGBGxccwgiSxpkl-jBw_6NMwboSoFq40NbesulRQjUjcZYcOxkHPnOgP1zZkg2NrZMASrolcy__5Cg0lne9A/s200/IMG_1521.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">St Andrews Lake with Rainier</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgIh7KD-XrnBBx85tgjCmanFXabwH2iA0jg1NJkp13qHcr5XdEvc9uc34PdguN47vaNni8OPFSSVukmJDnLb1fEqLL8ANVAldv7dDYAfKDXDS2IXKg12V7_PKyHv4RonHbhukajdeeLI/s1600-h/IMG_1531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgIh7KD-XrnBBx85tgjCmanFXabwH2iA0jg1NJkp13qHcr5XdEvc9uc34PdguN47vaNni8OPFSSVukmJDnLb1fEqLL8ANVAldv7dDYAfKDXDS2IXKg12V7_PKyHv4RonHbhukajdeeLI/s200/IMG_1531.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Me in St Andrews Park</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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After that it was downhill the rest of the way to the S. Puyallup River Camp. I met this bother-sister on the trail as they were humping up and they had these humongous packs! OMG! I had to wonder what they were carrying that was so big. I told them about the rain and how I yelled at the sky at Golden Lakes and they laughed about that. I made camp in 3 hours after crossing the river, right on target so I was happy about that. Small victories work wonders sometimes. I pulled into the group site and got some water and wolfed down 2 meals. Here lately, I'm just hungry all the time and really eating heaps of food. I wanted to lighten up my pack going up to the Emerald Ridge as it was going to be a nasty uphill for a while. I walked to the camp toilet and forgot that this camp has the lava rock formations, so ran back to get my camera and took a few pictures. Pretty cool rock formations! I think they call this Devil's Organ Pipes or something like that. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHKRkEkh6x-9AIF3LNJLpEZAmI9lbjYbbcOI_ebnePhXL0jIvFwdeR2EC-YN06EW-SQjshxVibKOTN1vRYrBadc9z7PsU-OI5HYQiw2wSqlCoR54rVidrsc_sglq1_0guXasUXfsePvM/s1600-h/IMG_1534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHKRkEkh6x-9AIF3LNJLpEZAmI9lbjYbbcOI_ebnePhXL0jIvFwdeR2EC-YN06EW-SQjshxVibKOTN1vRYrBadc9z7PsU-OI5HYQiw2wSqlCoR54rVidrsc_sglq1_0guXasUXfsePvM/s200/IMG_1534.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">S. Puyallup River</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMyliFmPl9nFdh2Tac3kAbMK4kg5tgZIoDJDQDYTo2VjAeVZGVFYAr5uEi1roKLqU3Rg-MtjRi2Iox5-FE4sqlifbQ57G-SyzQ_VLbWwpo9HJrik7iARxChi4mlt_uDkQr19R6Ma2NW8/s1600-h/IMG_1539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMyliFmPl9nFdh2Tac3kAbMK4kg5tgZIoDJDQDYTo2VjAeVZGVFYAr5uEi1roKLqU3Rg-MtjRi2Iox5-FE4sqlifbQ57G-SyzQ_VLbWwpo9HJrik7iARxChi4mlt_uDkQr19R6Ma2NW8/s200/IMG_1539.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lava rock formations</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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I left camp at 1330 and headed uphill for the ridge and stopped along the way to take off the rain gear. It was not raining, just foggy and I was hot climbing the trail. I stopped and talked with several people comparing notes about the trail, weather, rain and camps. I met on couple from Wisconsin and like me were disappointed in the trip so far with a lot of hiking and no views. They had been on the trail for 6-7 days too! I asked them if they were enjoying the mountain view and they asked where the mountain was and I pointed behind them. The Tahoma Glacier should have been in our face, but all we saw was fog.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCssUBTjoBXTF4S85nwA8lTkFAw5FHvSe68hxYVOeA-LuYhfCCf_6-uDVS4pAwi_i5Evy3teZhc5xKOnVtwtVuB92KRvMkFgakyI_WIy0NiHE2n_ohG4l-iU_P6V4yhTJS2z9k9YuWX4/s1600-h/IMG_1547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCssUBTjoBXTF4S85nwA8lTkFAw5FHvSe68hxYVOeA-LuYhfCCf_6-uDVS4pAwi_i5Evy3teZhc5xKOnVtwtVuB92KRvMkFgakyI_WIy0NiHE2n_ohG4l-iU_P6V4yhTJS2z9k9YuWX4/s200/IMG_1547.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">View of Tahoma Glacier from Emerald Ridge</span> </div><br />
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The trail along the Emerald Ridge was thin, very steep and dangerous. I had to keep telling myself if I fell to fall right. A fall right would hurt but a fall left was fatal as in 5000 ft to the river. It looked like a major portion of the trail here had given way to a landslide, so it wasn't a nice part of the WLT that is for sure. This also jogged my memory of the woman I met who fell and cut up her face as I guessed this is the part she fell on.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kDa77CDJDeEuQphON8_F-4Nwr6GLZGijLtp5_O6ccx_IMOLShbsSiwVZxp3RrftPvWhtQDWonaibafeHabDEj3xAMV93L8Vee5QOW68RbsJf05JqDWuE6VG3zcdX8CesH0Tgjob0pkE/s1600-h/IMG_1550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kDa77CDJDeEuQphON8_F-4Nwr6GLZGijLtp5_O6ccx_IMOLShbsSiwVZxp3RrftPvWhtQDWonaibafeHabDEj3xAMV93L8Vee5QOW68RbsJf05JqDWuE6VG3zcdX8CesH0Tgjob0pkE/s200/IMG_1550.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Steep trail on Emerald Ridge</span> </div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipikcwqL-XMOvkLUKjOAFgTmuEb7XefLtvNd3KlyCKLkbcmLUgBuU6598WGfY8_sfh_PDu1F5lxO2cuMeCLvp1F_qqnTmNfutjuooXKIHnJ0JxXFl5TxkFHr-edu5kaBW7qJDyLPgQ0PM/s1600-h/IMG_1546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipikcwqL-XMOvkLUKjOAFgTmuEb7XefLtvNd3KlyCKLkbcmLUgBuU6598WGfY8_sfh_PDu1F5lxO2cuMeCLvp1F_qqnTmNfutjuooXKIHnJ0JxXFl5TxkFHr-edu5kaBW7qJDyLPgQ0PM/s200/IMG_1546.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trail on Emerald Ridge </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
Finally got up to the ridge looking for Marmots but didn't see any and up to this point hadn't seen any in 7 days. That is not common in the sub-alpine areas as they are usually everywhere. The trail started downhill and turned to rock, which really slows me down. About this time a group came from behind and scared the crap out of me. I know I startled them as well and they were the first people who passed me from behind in 7 days, not counting the ranger. They were moving fast, so I just got out of the way. Ah, to be young again and have the ability to move fast without the knees hurting. Still heading downhill to the Tahoma River met a large group and spoke with them for a bit. There were several women and one guy who had his wife with him, so I teased him a bit about being the only man of the group.<br />
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The trail heading downhill now got bushy, rocky and muddy so again took my time walking through it all. I finally came another suspension bridge this one higher and longer than the Carbon River one. I walked across it and had taken pictures before crossing and it was cool to see how the river flowed from up above. After making it across the river the trail sign said I still had 2.9 miles to camp. Again, I set another goal of 2 hours to make it 3 miles and was hoping to get to camp by 1900. I stopped for a break, took off jacket that I had put on coming down the ridge and hit the trail. The 1.8 miles to Indian Henry's was all uphill and very steep. It wore me out and at this point just wanted to get to camp and out of my boots! About an hour later I arrived at Indian Henry's Hunting Ground and it was very beautiful so took some pictures.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_MuFKLrFhtN1UnO4gHUEoFIOfo4nxvyvzWfLst7gHnzdBnRicFuqfgpAkk0FaE-tP54_vx3R47tvLD0IEOJVxqnHQs7gycXJfsSvNWYUeJzkJZPTGiVk_OVUBtB57meswNu9cd-3x04/s1600-h/IMG_1561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_MuFKLrFhtN1UnO4gHUEoFIOfo4nxvyvzWfLst7gHnzdBnRicFuqfgpAkk0FaE-tP54_vx3R47tvLD0IEOJVxqnHQs7gycXJfsSvNWYUeJzkJZPTGiVk_OVUBtB57meswNu9cd-3x04/s200/IMG_1561.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Suspension bridge over Tahoma River</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_14Wj4xDkKbMb746ki5ToVMSwYqLxw3-sQYuePiseL295dQmDMm5PpQhyOCHr0UYEjMzRyGHcvK0hLXwaJpGQp1Vei8dvqQID80iIzLK-SZyf0c5uGAKoBKTtfKtBRGvcBkXNUvJ7L8I/s1600-h/IMG_1563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_14Wj4xDkKbMb746ki5ToVMSwYqLxw3-sQYuePiseL295dQmDMm5PpQhyOCHr0UYEjMzRyGHcvK0hLXwaJpGQp1Vei8dvqQID80iIzLK-SZyf0c5uGAKoBKTtfKtBRGvcBkXNUvJ7L8I/s200/IMG_1563.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tahoma River</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Indian Henry's Hunting Ground</span> </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-_YOY1y2bFeHsh4LWZrsC5n4zA-aCk7k4z5NMSDFO2ZfvM4iJlIM1a1jxl-VGThV1cj2wcbOx60TE0nlbXlP-orO3dwVv0J6lVt0OqxsGeZfYhJpCVLigmkKsde5zjZHDk_VlIcC46U/s1600-h/IMG_1577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-_YOY1y2bFeHsh4LWZrsC5n4zA-aCk7k4z5NMSDFO2ZfvM4iJlIM1a1jxl-VGThV1cj2wcbOx60TE0nlbXlP-orO3dwVv0J6lVt0OqxsGeZfYhJpCVLigmkKsde5zjZHDk_VlIcC46U/s200/IMG_1577.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ranger Patrol Hut</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpT_6zX5J7MDpNu5mt9Dd8cGClfgIXPwVXhSxzcztkaO8ZRpN_-tRwglE98At7IcnQAaksI5clqwEHcRjvBiirkARkTDLDuH9l3DvhzeKPLRig6BI8WyIl-ZvhnZr6_9zxaPR-V36zZ74/s1600-h/IMG_1581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpT_6zX5J7MDpNu5mt9Dd8cGClfgIXPwVXhSxzcztkaO8ZRpN_-tRwglE98At7IcnQAaksI5clqwEHcRjvBiirkARkTDLDuH9l3DvhzeKPLRig6BI8WyIl-ZvhnZr6_9zxaPR-V36zZ74/s200/IMG_1581.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Indian Henry's</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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The trail sign posted Devil's Dream about 1.5 miles away. I had a snack on the move and saw the ranger from the hut there come out and start heading my way on the trail. He caught me asking me where I was going and he would check my permit there and took off. He did say the rest of the way was down hill and it was. I arrived at camp being the last one in at 1915 and got site #2 which is what I wanted per a recommend from a hiker. Got to the site, set up the tent and unpacked and headed to get water. Water access here is a bit tricky as the area is dark, damp and very slick with mud. I wasn't too happy about having to hike up and down a muddy slope to get water, but got water and back to camp. This camp was dark, damp and the mosquitoes were out in full force, which is the first time they have been a problem on this trip. I made dinner and got camp bedded down by 0845 and it was dark outside by time I crawled in the tent. <br />
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I was tired as all get out after a very long strenuous day, so tried to stretch out and relax and then fell asleep knowing tonight was my last night in a wet tent, at least for a few days.solo2rmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265944932375045913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056140422731345607.post-68106323179584446212009-09-11T20:51:00.000-07:002009-09-13T10:38:33.265-07:00Wonderland Trail Day 6: Golden Lakes to Klapatche Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Aug 14<br />
Mileage: 7.8 miles<br />
Golden Lakes: 5130 ft<br />
Klapatche Park: 5515 ft<br />
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The human body is amazing as it can endure demanding physical activity day after day and come out of in good condition. However, what throws a wrench into the grand plan is the mental state along with its by-product, emotion. These 2 things just screw everything up and get in the way. Physically I felt fine, mentally and emotionally I had hit my breaking point. I was miserable, tired of the rain, gray skies, humping up and down with no views and the rangers telling me today was the day the sun was coming out!<br />
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I woke up once again to rain and it just weighed on me. Everything I had was pretty much soaked. Sure, I had pack cover and had things in plastic bags, but everything got wet anyway! My tent footprint was wet and very muddy which transferred to my tent floor. Amazingly enough, I did manage to keep my sleeping bag dry throughout this whole ordeal! I had it in a waterproof compression sack and in the tent I spread out everything plastic around the mattress pad to prevent it from getting wet. I didn't sleep well during this time as I kept waking up to make sure I hadn't moved during the night onto the wet tent floor.<br />
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So, what does one do when they wake up to day 5 of rain? Aside from wishing my friend Kris would come pick me up in his helicopter, I picked up the sat-phone and called Jim as I knew he would understand. Leaving a message for him, he called back and told him I wanted to vent; I was miserable, it had been raining 5 out of the 6 days I've been out here and that I was done with this. I had to keep moving forward, but that I was done and coming out early. Then the phone died! Great, but finally the rain stopped and I heard the sites on either side of me emerge and start to break down there tents and they were gone.<br />
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I got dressed and grabbed the water bladder, bottle and filter and headed down to the lake. I was starving and needed to eat and in a hurry! Grabbed the food bag off the pole and headed back to camp where it started to rain again. I got some water going and ate breakfast and some extra stuff as well. Drank some tea and water and felt much better. It stopped raining and the fog came in. As I was packing up, I kept asking for some sun. What do know, it actually came out! Wow, and it really felt good! I ran over to site #4 to grab a picture of the view from there. It's beautiful and I was bummed out I didn't get that site, but oh well.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfP-_71ml9Jva-pEy7wdR7m_uXuwBQkYm4kE5alQomOGrub6Gd5AQH_SkMgrd3T7DFsmvJYy47n-UaY0bb690rpd5KfqrAVKRapfIvzcBb0T87BB9itWGQl4z5noZeWuyLMsPFuLNecI/s1600-h/IMG_1413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfP-_71ml9Jva-pEy7wdR7m_uXuwBQkYm4kE5alQomOGrub6Gd5AQH_SkMgrd3T7DFsmvJYy47n-UaY0bb690rpd5KfqrAVKRapfIvzcBb0T87BB9itWGQl4z5noZeWuyLMsPFuLNecI/s200/IMG_1413.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">View from site #4</span> </div><br />
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I was still famished and boiled some more water and ate another meal, while the sun was out allowing it to dry out my stuff for a little bit. Again I had another late start, but sitting in the sun eating a meal felt good, so I didn't worry too much. I walked out to the ranger hut and Paul was leaving and seemed startled anyone was still here. He asked me if I beat the storm in and told him what happened and he just shook his head. I asked about Klapatche and he said it was uphill and unlike yesterday the trail was steep and not nice. He also mentioned to get water before I got to camp and not to drink out of the lake. Klapatche Lake is a scum lake and he said there was a stream right after the river crossing to get water there or I would have to hike 2 miles to get water! He then left for Indian Henry's and had a long day of like 18 miles. I left right behind him at 1035 after taking a few pictures. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenrg2Kn8Xh_a4psz_JBoHWZeIXqqayAk7iHN0cKMk7gGbqZ8eisXIU0WzZTowNeBRqWV4Z6eonClrnQHr1F9wU89_S2A4qLp6hyphenhypheneVHdLq10g-pdO-JKjIjtNCkIq9io9PbB4qiwKUY2k/s1600-h/IMG_1415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenrg2Kn8Xh_a4psz_JBoHWZeIXqqayAk7iHN0cKMk7gGbqZ8eisXIU0WzZTowNeBRqWV4Z6eonClrnQHr1F9wU89_S2A4qLp6hyphenhypheneVHdLq10g-pdO-JKjIjtNCkIq9io9PbB4qiwKUY2k/s200/IMG_1415.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ranger hut at Golden Lakes</span> </div><br />
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The trail out of camp was up and down and the rest of Sunset Park was beautiful. I ran into some hikers and we talked about the weather, the misery and the ability to keep going. North Puyallup (pronounce Pew-oll-up) River Camp was 4.9 miles away and I set a goal of arriving there at 1300-1330. Met a guy who was moving and had left from Longmire and was going to Mowich Lake. What?! He then said he was doing the trail in 3 day and I can't imagine doing that! Met a two other groups of 2 guys, one of which said Klapatche was freezing cold last night, so they came down to North Puyallup for the night and they were done and bailing off the trail. The other group told me there was a stream to the south of the lake they used for water, not to hump it up the hill. All of the groups said that people have bailed off the trail because of the weather. I made to the North Puyullup camp at 1310, so made good time. Crossed the river over a nice wood bridge and stopped at the group site for a snack. I still debated going out via a trail to the Westside Road, but kept going.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNPv8MANzYV_q2VhhRE2jTJDAsqF0f5MgoCMnCinlpp6sZFQ-VOdIbCvt1zIyxwKFxwsDfhWj4HIeMKPEDrFnkh2e7DISFC7WCc2XglvSxvn0SsGqb3UOquX60WfyZi1OW5V-ax6wL1E/s1600-h/IMG_1423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNPv8MANzYV_q2VhhRE2jTJDAsqF0f5MgoCMnCinlpp6sZFQ-VOdIbCvt1zIyxwKFxwsDfhWj4HIeMKPEDrFnkh2e7DISFC7WCc2XglvSxvn0SsGqb3UOquX60WfyZi1OW5V-ax6wL1E/s200/IMG_1423.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sunset Park</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20WFo6vR4fsTw81kSz-zOzxgLJPqQIIPLCqfD4gY8Sj08qUjz_Uj4Zjij4uyC00MxtKug-LhWLWv2TK2USNV9dj0Gi-SwLl7x5Z0P6gAyIofwWCC2HOz667gVO1EHBQ7SrQ5vTE81Fe0/s1600-h/IMG_1426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20WFo6vR4fsTw81kSz-zOzxgLJPqQIIPLCqfD4gY8Sj08qUjz_Uj4Zjij4uyC00MxtKug-LhWLWv2TK2USNV9dj0Gi-SwLl7x5Z0P6gAyIofwWCC2HOz667gVO1EHBQ7SrQ5vTE81Fe0/s200/IMG_1426.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Flowers at Sunset Park</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77a3x_vR3wmnqSaE68ioefNhh4Bf16BfYVu-RoOOsPFGSu86ERHpXjZrUWFlLQ9pgZkNMNXjQvYC3fbqnI4VhoueX2F9joHgGM0HNJMciL-oRGITJniaRACvF0LgFR9KkW0JCREQP2as/s1600-h/IMG_1425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77a3x_vR3wmnqSaE68ioefNhh4Bf16BfYVu-RoOOsPFGSu86ERHpXjZrUWFlLQ9pgZkNMNXjQvYC3fbqnI4VhoueX2F9joHgGM0HNJMciL-oRGITJniaRACvF0LgFR9KkW0JCREQP2as/s200/IMG_1425.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sunset Park</span> </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAroHZNugP1I86VeX7f7kKSAHKHnwLf8YjFh8dEx4mXB-TYXuuqRXfZssAZi26U_DKchwjvFhSR17RyQe4984VN9yaCwsKsgO9jf51uFJFqaAYnBJIIyhwPAh3Gyq6MmaJl8DRS3_Ppx8/s1600-h/IMG_1435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAroHZNugP1I86VeX7f7kKSAHKHnwLf8YjFh8dEx4mXB-TYXuuqRXfZssAZi26U_DKchwjvFhSR17RyQe4984VN9yaCwsKsgO9jf51uFJFqaAYnBJIIyhwPAh3Gyq6MmaJl8DRS3_Ppx8/s200/IMG_1435.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trail on way to N. Puyallup River</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHPDo9B5ygVIJ0vXSbIWGSf4t4NBak7HTKNqG-UxOTGzxK1oCezCb6JcXNIx36CaO3fmpzASO5jPHwq8EPdkLDLBg0Xx6S1Xv6lmAI20xMbeEjbwOqPaUF-bI7tge_wGDOZbYtXRp0OY/s1600-h/IMG_1440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHPDo9B5ygVIJ0vXSbIWGSf4t4NBak7HTKNqG-UxOTGzxK1oCezCb6JcXNIx36CaO3fmpzASO5jPHwq8EPdkLDLBg0Xx6S1Xv6lmAI20xMbeEjbwOqPaUF-bI7tge_wGDOZbYtXRp0OY/s200/IMG_1440.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bridge across N. Puyallup River</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic42ylV8fPS3Hj_jKw_kXRcuWNmrZdcml9cvbYRfGVzQDEnEdKjiZGChtCWhgnA_pEo4kOASd3fIfMAxpUAVeX-HPnH0sLUnY3nRoj9Ty0pZwjHMM5TIoTe74OPRaH6fpJrvrG2B-RoKc/s1600-h/IMG_1442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic42ylV8fPS3Hj_jKw_kXRcuWNmrZdcml9cvbYRfGVzQDEnEdKjiZGChtCWhgnA_pEo4kOASd3fIfMAxpUAVeX-HPnH0sLUnY3nRoj9Ty0pZwjHMM5TIoTe74OPRaH6fpJrvrG2B-RoKc/s200/IMG_1442.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">N. Puyallup River</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
After a break, started uphill for Klapatche and found the stream that the ranger had mentioned and listened to my gut and dropped the pack to fill up the bladder and my water bottle. Filling up the bladder meant unpacking the pack, but I needed the water so it wasn't a big deal. After getting water and repacking, my pack was heavy once again as water weighs around 8 lbs/gal. The uphill trail here was tough and steep and nothing like the gradual nice uphill of yesterday as the ranger had said. It was nothing like Ipsut Pass though!<br />
I passed this tree that had these huge rocks still embedded in its root system and one had fallen down to the trail. Pretty cool to see that!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpV7XOR8VcDAkK-ia273htPKRnr8gAWbI7F2HFfTz_Hx86VldLhClHSNFpfEI9EaLD98BSGjE8umuCdhecCAEoV76AuAb-x_Rh85-uSd5BZIxs63JfZ1x3dPAZ6Z8_5qBbofX83T2AlKg/s1600-h/IMG_1460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpV7XOR8VcDAkK-ia273htPKRnr8gAWbI7F2HFfTz_Hx86VldLhClHSNFpfEI9EaLD98BSGjE8umuCdhecCAEoV76AuAb-x_Rh85-uSd5BZIxs63JfZ1x3dPAZ6Z8_5qBbofX83T2AlKg/s200/IMG_1460.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Those rocks aren't small</span></div><br />
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Met some people coming down with one couple telling me that the ranger was at Klapatche eating lunch and that was at 1400, so Paul had hiked 7.8 miles in like 3 hours. Wow, guess when you have a very light pack you can move! The wife had her face all cut up and she told me she fell down some steep part of the trail coming out of Indian Henry's and fell on her face and even lost a tooth! I'm thinking I would have been done at that point, but here she was, hiking on. The trail continued on with up and more up and then the switchbacks got longer. I hit a flat spot thinking I was at the top until I looked at the map, nope, more up and steeper, then finally the switchbacks got shorter and I came out into Aurora Park and the fog.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq32ymmh7D0WjrIQjqzU9dCTnDfgvHhh_1tjeVVdgQaDstta1_p7DHnhEWv4Zkx7qJss2mGS-DILMIDnVvo378c_4wFsco6RoukLXtWezil-Eqjq4haQleVMK0kQPRAqeqyEA4OtPMNfY/s1600-h/IMG_1467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq32ymmh7D0WjrIQjqzU9dCTnDfgvHhh_1tjeVVdgQaDstta1_p7DHnhEWv4Zkx7qJss2mGS-DILMIDnVvo378c_4wFsco6RoukLXtWezil-Eqjq4haQleVMK0kQPRAqeqyEA4OtPMNfY/s200/IMG_1467.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Uphill to Klapatche</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3R7srCT6S5oe8-JnaHUL8RSTLLY2p8HeQzt3euWBVMeVwGDajhOT7MW5Ymuh4hPF4nFKT7eEjp02nNG_ZRdc8BtudJFv3M_YiphB9MduMiVW-HwUPpRwP-AiwJ4vNHBQtGSd2gEXk5kE/s1600-h/IMG_1471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3R7srCT6S5oe8-JnaHUL8RSTLLY2p8HeQzt3euWBVMeVwGDajhOT7MW5Ymuh4hPF4nFKT7eEjp02nNG_ZRdc8BtudJFv3M_YiphB9MduMiVW-HwUPpRwP-AiwJ4vNHBQtGSd2gEXk5kE/s200/IMG_1471.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Aurora Park in the fog</span> </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkae-_dkJgoTbeN042tzQuVxAEOc6deJ5SOtbXUl125koQRRi-d0PZWZqquKJ6-VpC9X_mkaUoecmy6nBz-KnTHhNs_5eMEJJoAcHJjW5q02buSBBW_kOWhKVqx2yRkmxH0UxMeQcmUQ/s1600-h/IMG_1479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkae-_dkJgoTbeN042tzQuVxAEOc6deJ5SOtbXUl125koQRRi-d0PZWZqquKJ6-VpC9X_mkaUoecmy6nBz-KnTHhNs_5eMEJJoAcHJjW5q02buSBBW_kOWhKVqx2yRkmxH0UxMeQcmUQ/s200/IMG_1479.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Klapatche Lake in the fog</span> </div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeJv5uNMvzwe2nzhv18B43GKYvdCTGmQPwtxu1cMblhUJIJfP74AqIWEUSDbrKsaWqdQyzLbI5oF5VXwjnThW8gx5GV7i6G7xCJ9rDYfKV5Ey2hX-ztqZNSbYA843nQbkOx7qZvhyphenhyphen6Xo/s1600-h/IMG_1482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeJv5uNMvzwe2nzhv18B43GKYvdCTGmQPwtxu1cMblhUJIJfP74AqIWEUSDbrKsaWqdQyzLbI5oF5VXwjnThW8gx5GV7i6G7xCJ9rDYfKV5Ey2hX-ztqZNSbYA843nQbkOx7qZvhyphenhyphen6Xo/s200/IMG_1482.JPG" /></a>I finally made it to camp and took site #3 on a recommend from one of the guys I passed on the trail. I was the only one in camp and I think I got to camp around 1630. The fog was thick and it was cold at 5900 ft. I got the tent and camp set up and ate some more snacks. I had dinner limiting myself to one meal here although I easily could have eaten two of them as I had to water ration until tomorrow. After dinner, I looked around for the creek the guys talked about, but never did find it, so glad I humped it up the hill. I also called Jim and Jen and worked out a plan to come out early not really sure on how it would all work out. I wanted to get to Longmire or keep heading south on the trail so that the hike on the road wouldn't be that long. I had 3 choice at this point:<br />
<ol><li>Bypass South Puyullup River Camp and go on to Devil's Dream which would put me in Longmire a day early.</li>
<li>Hike the trail out here at Klapatche Park onto the Westside Road and meet Jen at the gate.</li>
<li>Hike to South Puyullup River Camp and take the trail out to the road and meet Jen at the gate.<br />
</li>
</ol>I told them to call the National Park Inn to see if they could get me another night added on to my current reservation and I would call them in the morning. I needed to call the Ranger Station in the morning to see if I could stay at Devil's.<br />
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I went to sleep with a light rain and the question of how things would pan out in the morning. I was the only on in camp again and I don't like being the only one in camp.solo2rmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265944932375045913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056140422731345607.post-24093012988127066242009-09-09T21:17:00.000-07:002009-09-09T21:33:24.605-07:00Wonderland Trail Day 5: Mowich Lake to Golden LakesAug 13<br />
Mileage: 10.2 miles<br />
Mowich Lake: 4900 ft<br />
Golden Lakes: 5130 ft<br />
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I woke up at 0600 and it was still raining and its interesting how you adapt out here going to bed at dusk and waking up at the first crack of dawn. I rolled over and went back to sleep for a little bit and finally got up as I knew I had a long day with a heavy pack full of resupply. <br />
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I had 2 guys next to me car camping and said they were heading to Oregon to fish and another guy on the other side heading CW. It had finally stopped raining and the skies cleared out a bit. I went to get water at the lake and as I was pulling out my water filter my bottle adapter went flying in a part of the creek off the lake, filled up the bottle and bladder and went to get my hiking pole to fish it out and did that with no difficulty.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47ACodll2ENqUOsU2z0JVnJMyJrz-TQ0LjilFvVKHxnHzF42wSKHNSnGxeSAfOQadogzpSjafN6vOOOpBBUhBRL0i-RcQ1kNWE2JEpScWoN9lLQQKUhzJdB_2svb5nvy2P1NC6JZY6wk/s1600-h/IMG_1377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47ACodll2ENqUOsU2z0JVnJMyJrz-TQ0LjilFvVKHxnHzF42wSKHNSnGxeSAfOQadogzpSjafN6vOOOpBBUhBRL0i-RcQ1kNWE2JEpScWoN9lLQQKUhzJdB_2svb5nvy2P1NC6JZY6wk/s200/IMG_1377.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mowich Lake</span> </div><br />
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I had breakfast and starting packing up hoping to get out of camp by 0830-0900 and it was very nice to have a picnic table there even wet for packing and eating. I was almost packed sans the tent and what do you know, the skies cleared and the sun came out! I ran over to it, just to feel it and felt better. Funny how a little sun can change your attitude and disposition! Ran back over to the tent and grabbed it to put in the sun to dry out. It stayed out for about 45 minutes until the fog rolled back in, so one of the car camping guys came over to talk some more and I asked him if he had a spare tent stake, he did and gave me one. I was very grateful and offered him a few bucks but he declined.<br />
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I finally left camp very late at 1015 much later than I wanted to, but I got a chance to dry some stuff out and figured it was a good trade. Headed downhill with the rain gear on and I have to admit this pack was heavy as I had 5 days of food in it. I ran into some thru-hikers and we chatted about the trail and the rain. Most of them were going via Seattle Park.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4F2a8F0fADidlCO9PP1I4iW49rRWSevo-RmEH5gyK6Z93LA4o1arxiVpKM2H5yfijJoY-Xy8qDSl-7WUoGQAj7N8UCWf4_g3suPXsbW7xaxYH5Mf_6PQ0Ki78BCnsZnXzR_3aePnZcZ4/s1600-h/IMG_1382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4F2a8F0fADidlCO9PP1I4iW49rRWSevo-RmEH5gyK6Z93LA4o1arxiVpKM2H5yfijJoY-Xy8qDSl-7WUoGQAj7N8UCWf4_g3suPXsbW7xaxYH5Mf_6PQ0Ki78BCnsZnXzR_3aePnZcZ4/s200/IMG_1382.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">WLT heading down to river</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCeHIlfStUHAmxZDfXGCdlnsPRo189uegM3wPL-i3bfKXl8csER_c4bKnN4pkkMz5Sm5aohGEREQXVLhUq8ZcM5L6h3JzuYoyGmWN_z3lbG8ff3ekrbQ4S4H6E5HyrHtublMNwmYsl1M/s1600-h/IMG_1383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCeHIlfStUHAmxZDfXGCdlnsPRo189uegM3wPL-i3bfKXl8csER_c4bKnN4pkkMz5Sm5aohGEREQXVLhUq8ZcM5L6h3JzuYoyGmWN_z3lbG8ff3ekrbQ4S4H6E5HyrHtublMNwmYsl1M/s200/IMG_1383.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Banana Slug enjoying the trail</span> </div><br />
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I got down by the river and was overheating, so stopped to take off the rain gear. I was a little anxious about crossing both Mowich Rivers as they tend to run high and take out the bridges. I got across the North Mowich River safely and you cannot get complacent during a crossing because if you fall in, you're done!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpglS816cPBdWdBJddYXreMhqqcV-V7GcRqc0-NtYFk7vyQVBLH1_GBBJ9ShDd1__rbaws2SV2lxh86dEeevlb44IVdzsB0wxaFHbrq88majHwwtxFS9cP30_QwsNsOd2CpkmahY0IA4/s1600-h/IMG_1393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpglS816cPBdWdBJddYXreMhqqcV-V7GcRqc0-NtYFk7vyQVBLH1_GBBJ9ShDd1__rbaws2SV2lxh86dEeevlb44IVdzsB0wxaFHbrq88majHwwtxFS9cP30_QwsNsOd2CpkmahY0IA4/s200/IMG_1393.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">North Mowich River</span> </div><br />
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I stopped at South Mowich River campground at the group shelter to have a snack when reflecting back on this should have broke out the stove and ate lunch. A ranger named Paul showed up, looked at my permit and we ended up eating together. He was heading up to Golden Lakes as well. We talked about being a ranger and I asked him what the ranger GS pay grade scale was. He told GS-5-7 and that made me hack some. Wow, I would have thought higher for all that they do out there. I realized an hour went by and jumped up to get going. As I was leaving camp a fog rolled in and it started to drizzle.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKCcLTAaI2b5pntQ_Y5aFDmU3ZBkEAf-qEkjZa4ZlxCVYhvAptFQpEOu-FwsXGXBqkPWF-LlglTgKyKcJjm3VhJfdYg3EvsNtfGBlcJcoWVyqkV7KBwdzXlQ_J_SkeIgE3N_JMius1SY/s1600-h/IMG_1397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKCcLTAaI2b5pntQ_Y5aFDmU3ZBkEAf-qEkjZa4ZlxCVYhvAptFQpEOu-FwsXGXBqkPWF-LlglTgKyKcJjm3VhJfdYg3EvsNtfGBlcJcoWVyqkV7KBwdzXlQ_J_SkeIgE3N_JMius1SY/s200/IMG_1397.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">South Mowich River</span> </div><br />
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Back on the track to cross the South Mowich and stopped to put on the rain gear again. I made it across and started up the hill to Golden Lakes. This climb is insane with something like 32 switchbacks on it. The climb itself is gradual but the switchbacks are very long. It seemed like I was hiking from one end of the hill to the other. I ran into a few hikers coming down but really didn't see many people today.<br />
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I stopped to take off the rain pants as I was overheating again but left on the jacket. I finally made it to the ridge and the sun was out! Wow!!! I knew I had about 2 miles to camp and the ridge was flat to rolling and I was walking as fast as I could to make camp to let the sun dry the tent. Sunset Park was beautiful with small lakes and I was hoping site #4 was still available, but knew it probably wasn't since it was getting late.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxXfIeJrIgZ5VFKv30B4No99xbs0f7E3D_n70PDSYHTJPqT3_o-oMDtdNQdpmhnTjUJ7AF5_GAz6KmGZARgmOlzWhb-8zcgbVFpelcbPR3c8Tw6pU2YH_CJY7W4WNnsDvlDMLVymHM-w/s1600-h/IMG_1403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxXfIeJrIgZ5VFKv30B4No99xbs0f7E3D_n70PDSYHTJPqT3_o-oMDtdNQdpmhnTjUJ7AF5_GAz6KmGZARgmOlzWhb-8zcgbVFpelcbPR3c8Tw6pU2YH_CJY7W4WNnsDvlDMLVymHM-w/s200/IMG_1403.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ridge looking west</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOAb955gnRkHuydd0PgnfEKJ_lRrFG1dS8UTM5ScFx84BB03janIxwXyBjMWXIbNlaaR0fR8UOHGYr2ThDY4HSJuvT9uCjMR-254hDhKrqFqbkcVqY17m-WlhuYhksZAj_UqTXus1Tfc/s1600-h/IMG_1407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOAb955gnRkHuydd0PgnfEKJ_lRrFG1dS8UTM5ScFx84BB03janIxwXyBjMWXIbNlaaR0fR8UOHGYr2ThDY4HSJuvT9uCjMR-254hDhKrqFqbkcVqY17m-WlhuYhksZAj_UqTXus1Tfc/s200/IMG_1407.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Sunset Park</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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I arrived at the ranger hut in front of the lake and campsite at 1830 and I kid you not, it starts to thunder. I found site #4 occupied along with #5, so headed back to look for a spot when it starts to downpour and the temperature starts to plummet. I found #1 & #2 vacant about the time the skies opened up and let loose. I found a tree at site #1 to huddle under, got the rain pants on and pretty much lost it at this point. Then it starts to hail! Site #1 was starting to flood since it was downhill of everything else, so I ran to site 2 to dig a trench where the previous tenant had the night before and I started going off. I'm sure my site neighbors heard me just a cussing and probably thought a sailor was moving in next door! At one point I screamed at the sky, "Is that all you got?" and "Can I just get an hour to dry out?" You can add in the F-bombs on your own.<br />
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I got the tent up and noticed again the symptoms of hypothermia coming on and I was freezing cold. I had a decision to make, get water, eat and settle camp for the night or get in the tent and get warm. Looking at my options here, site #2 had very little tree cover so to try and stand outside to cook was going to be hard. Additionally, I needed water so a trip to the lake during a torrential rain storm was out. I didn't want to cook and eat in the tent as I didn't need a bruin visit during the night, so I crawled in my sleeping bag with layers on trying to get warm. Once in the tent, it took me a couple of hours to get warm and debated whether this was the right decision. I went to sleep on an empty stomach and along with being dehydrated it really soured my mood. The thought of quiting at this point dominated my thoughts as I drifted off to sleep with the rain and wind beating against my tent.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSi-spYNP0Q7kJrbz014CDctziFE-MTHS-10A_HDeeks0tseaUEYopt1aSl95OnmMOs7zLuFCtflyhims-4uMb7ucC1U7Tf-iNmoztanp5Eq0bXCbU3ZIC6iXvXUDrRSb8KFyEwBeqpJU/s1600-h/IMG_1413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSi-spYNP0Q7kJrbz014CDctziFE-MTHS-10A_HDeeks0tseaUEYopt1aSl95OnmMOs7zLuFCtflyhims-4uMb7ucC1U7Tf-iNmoztanp5Eq0bXCbU3ZIC6iXvXUDrRSb8KFyEwBeqpJU/s200/IMG_1413.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The view from site #4 the next day</span> </div>solo2rmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265944932375045913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056140422731345607.post-69659126714810951562009-09-08T21:45:00.000-07:002009-09-09T12:13:55.337-07:00Wonderland Trail Day 4-Carbon River to Mowich Lake Walk-inAug 12<br />
Mileage: 10.4 miles with trail detour<br />
Carbon River: 3195 ft<br />
Mowich Lake: 4900 ft<br />
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I didn't sleep well again but somehow didn't hear the alarm go off at 0500. I awoke to heavy rain, I'm guessing the sun goddess didn't want to come out today. I got dressed, ate breakfast and packed up in the rain. Funny, the rain will slow down, but boy it sure does know when I'm trying to pack the tent up and it just starts coming down. I left camp at 0800 and was excited to get to Mowich with my mind made up to move with a purpose today as I wanted to get there between 1400-1600.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaD19t4sGiEjI8vFCUWFEoMGVnNAkdvLjvLwla-Q73V1m1aRIihBoKogKMUPDfATf9Vv4xLVVdLQ4x6c4vXolBz6PZrNIvLmVfK5Qqkxq2QlC8fyoXWfKpHE_FEieiRUS_WZeiZ_7elQM/s1600-h/IMG_1313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaD19t4sGiEjI8vFCUWFEoMGVnNAkdvLjvLwla-Q73V1m1aRIihBoKogKMUPDfATf9Vv4xLVVdLQ4x6c4vXolBz6PZrNIvLmVfK5Qqkxq2QlC8fyoXWfKpHE_FEieiRUS_WZeiZ_7elQM/s200/IMG_1313.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The waterfall and river by Carbon River CG</span></div><br />
Because of the trail closure just outside of camp, I had to detour back to suspension bridge to cross it again, which I love doing as it gives you a different perspective of the river and its banks. Headed up the NLT (Northern Loop Trail) for 1.5 miles. The NLT was pretty flat for the most part I was on it but it did have a few rolling sections.<br />
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Met up with 3 guys that were headed to Mystic but stayed somewhere else and decided to head back to their car because of the weather. We crossed the detour of 3 log bridges across the Carbon River. They headed uphill to the WLT and took off. I stopped to pull some layers off as it stopped raining for once.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgET7UXse0qFet3kaVE5Naq5TE-Daej5faWhRUf2Jb6yb8dBCFa-FBM_fi2rZ1HORDe1HKWb6M4lH5mRF2PYtpeD2GfUOoRfjbWG9rqaHSKLbmLwVwus-xOiBb5yVGl_cfsgyItQE6l2ck/s1600-h/IMG_1327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgET7UXse0qFet3kaVE5Naq5TE-Daej5faWhRUf2Jb6yb8dBCFa-FBM_fi2rZ1HORDe1HKWb6M4lH5mRF2PYtpeD2GfUOoRfjbWG9rqaHSKLbmLwVwus-xOiBb5yVGl_cfsgyItQE6l2ck/s200/IMG_1327.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">One of the 3 log bridges on the detour</span></div><br />
I was pretty excited when it dawned on me that I was now on the north side of the mountain instead of east or northeast. The forest was thick and at times almost seemed like a rain forest. This part of the WLT is really flat and I motored on it! I made it to the Ipsut Junction in about 2.4 hours, which I thought was pretty good time for 4.4 miles. This section of the trail had some damage from the 2006 flood.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHslx_U7L2Z2o7WEqr_OFd8UcY26HRc-SaFwVcsK-kPpWvq2XljfSZckfd7sH95ohNe5LpzG96Q1ilIy0vhLZPXu_qeRUXXFmV4t2w2mP3yOKmRQRPjzmVesccLQojS6UcRZ0qvAvGXI/s1600-h/IMG_1336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHslx_U7L2Z2o7WEqr_OFd8UcY26HRc-SaFwVcsK-kPpWvq2XljfSZckfd7sH95ohNe5LpzG96Q1ilIy0vhLZPXu_qeRUXXFmV4t2w2mP3yOKmRQRPjzmVesccLQojS6UcRZ0qvAvGXI/s200/IMG_1336.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Carbon River is clogged with felled trees</span></div><br />
The sign at the junction said 'Ipsut Pass 3.5 miles and Mowich Lake 5 miles'. In all fairness, I have to ask how the NPS measures the distances posted on the trail signs? There were many times I began to wonder if they used a straight ruler on a map as this turned out to be a very long 5 mile hike.<br />
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The trail from the junction went up and was gradual and the forest gave way to rain forest fauna. It was beautiful. It started raining again but I was under the forest canopy so it didn't bother me that much. <br />
I was beginning to wonder where the pass was as the climb up was getting steeper and the canopy thinned out a lot.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvMHuHO9nxLu-usBjmaW7qjjMHQ4crgI2gMdaIS7HqIiZwfi_YGeTwYbvH_UxtQJzfI6NDP8Lj54tqWOJA8HGS_q8aD5ZnpckIsnZzPIZZTVGd6fFUKXQXdOPUEkZ44qx52Hlnnn7BK0/s1600-h/IMG_1357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvMHuHO9nxLu-usBjmaW7qjjMHQ4crgI2gMdaIS7HqIiZwfi_YGeTwYbvH_UxtQJzfI6NDP8Lj54tqWOJA8HGS_q8aD5ZnpckIsnZzPIZZTVGd6fFUKXQXdOPUEkZ44qx52Hlnnn7BK0/s200/IMG_1357.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Waterfall along the trail</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DsZxC0Xtbc8cpI1eGtE0BrnJ086g97DfyJYnrwGkvHITNqtlJV1SfzG8u2HxgKtSValtcH1Md1TYLn8cVKH_yfw72hJLV7HF-rQQD3y6KKCMpoPLxpIEmp3sAimpAujQrTCde_irjiM/s1600-h/IMG_1353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DsZxC0Xtbc8cpI1eGtE0BrnJ086g97DfyJYnrwGkvHITNqtlJV1SfzG8u2HxgKtSValtcH1Md1TYLn8cVKH_yfw72hJLV7HF-rQQD3y6KKCMpoPLxpIEmp3sAimpAujQrTCde_irjiM/s200/IMG_1353.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bushy Trail heading up to Ipsut Pass</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipruOFqkU7_8FNE2bdvp9tdIkEPDGLGnSKPzzgixOn5lj6xsOqZlj5j3J4A4kfVRBIvFVPBLZAyzv5IfSDnYjmpCe9xhzIPBDVhA8gXW__EMvW2lTqZRkRuDgvK8cLPxxhTE1PEj2ZXuY/s1600-h/IMG_1369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipruOFqkU7_8FNE2bdvp9tdIkEPDGLGnSKPzzgixOn5lj6xsOqZlj5j3J4A4kfVRBIvFVPBLZAyzv5IfSDnYjmpCe9xhzIPBDVhA8gXW__EMvW2lTqZRkRuDgvK8cLPxxhTE1PEj2ZXuY/s200/IMG_1369.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Some cool looking fungi</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
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I met a young guy who smelled nice and we chatted for a bit. He was on day 1 and seemed pretty excited. He was headed to Carbon River so I told him about the trail detour. He didn't know and I was still surprised that the rangers were not telling people about it. I asked him how far to the pass and he told me about a mile and that I had the really steep part to climb. What!!! The really steep part and I am on steep trail!!! About that time, a guy came down the hill with a 2 year old on his shoulders and 3 more very young kids behind him. He said that the whole family was out here doing the whole WLT! Wow, very young children out here in this weather humping through the mud! They were on day 10 and I repeated the detour to him as well. I offered him money to carry me up to the pass and he replied that he was just about to ask me to carry him a ways! We all departed laughing...in the pouring down rain.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMROIIswBgcFGBKdF_lYD8X6D9VwCjqAHgofQqPS8-TkY9WFM-Y7wOs6mt8ss60aWO5VKP5-rkU_LzbpfHqgEy1YBxxWUAMNa_ueWEtYo6L7Z1_Tw3y6Qffr326dgPnUWPZFHFrc5ELlU/s1600-h/IMG_1372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMROIIswBgcFGBKdF_lYD8X6D9VwCjqAHgofQqPS8-TkY9WFM-Y7wOs6mt8ss60aWO5VKP5-rkU_LzbpfHqgEy1YBxxWUAMNa_ueWEtYo6L7Z1_Tw3y6Qffr326dgPnUWPZFHFrc5ELlU/s200/IMG_1372.JPG" /></a>I came to an opening and the canopy of the forest was gone and all of a sudden it quit raining!!! Could this be it? No more rain? Then a small patch of blue sky appeared and I grabbed a picture of it in case I needed it to remember what it looked like. I still had no view of the mountain, but was happy with no rain. It was about that time I realized what the really steep part just meant. It meant almost straight up and this part of the trail is rocky and very bushy with Devil's Club. I might add, Devil's Club that was over my head.<br />
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This part of the trail is Mt Si on steroids and is literally almost straight up and has lots of switchbacks. I had to mountain goat up that and it was slow going. I noticed the fog was moving back in and knew what that meant...yup more rain and it dumped down on me unlike anything I had gone through so far.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSE9OGawESSlwsLY14ohutk3VZs66Htiw4gLd9DUuozNFrkp1UGxtxU2TxfSgAb8K2QC7-7D8rQ6fH43FAURRibT-_7L_hauoKY_amOi5f4wUs551f3AdFXWDADBgOMSaOpdNCRL_Lnk/s1600-h/IMG_1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSE9OGawESSlwsLY14ohutk3VZs66Htiw4gLd9DUuozNFrkp1UGxtxU2TxfSgAb8K2QC7-7D8rQ6fH43FAURRibT-_7L_hauoKY_amOi5f4wUs551f3AdFXWDADBgOMSaOpdNCRL_Lnk/s200/IMG_1374.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Trail on the Ipsut Pass</span>;<span style="font-size: x-small;"> looking back down</span></div><br />
As I got closer to the top, I noticed that I was starting to get wet underneath my Gortex jacket and was wondering how water was getting in. My biggest worry now was hypothermia as the temp was dropping with the weather and altitude gain. Finally I made it to the pass and the sign said I had 2 miles to go. I was almost running just to heat up and get to camp.<br />
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Lack of signs around Mowich Lake made it hard to figure out which way to go as there are multiple road access points on the trail. I made it to camp at 1530 and thought about this; I hiked 4.4 miles in 2 hours and 20 minutes and it took me 5 hours to hike 6 miles! Wow, that 'really steep part' cost me heaps of time.<br />
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I looked around for Dawn but didn't find her so headed for the new toilet which has an overhang to find 4 people huddled under it. They had finished the NLT & WLT in 12 days and were waiting for a ride. I quickly got my pack off as I knew I hypothermia was close to setting in as I was a cold,wet and teeth chattering puppy. I ripped apart my pack to find my other clothes and got them on pronto.<br />
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Dawn finally showed up and it seemed really confusing to me as what I needed done, finally deciding to get food and get in the car and turn on the heater! I needed to get warm, eat and change clothes. The rest could wait. It was also still raining very hard, so when it stopped we would jump out of the car to get my pack, set up the tent or swap out my stuff and when the rain returned we would race back to the car and turn on the heat. It was crazy and miserable at the same time. Also, discovered in my haste to leave my last camp, that I left behind a tent stake, so I improvised with a stick.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsKtyUzMhauAX0YJY3kUge8fWIyhUzpY9NMQp9GDdESNMNQrKyl4oz7-DC1fC6o7kdHqUAEck290zM20oEtVa6vlEacn8zHv6CucYfKyAcRtFyHbm1ehPoBQMjZUr2o2yMZ3gZXY1swk/s1600-h/IMG_1376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsKtyUzMhauAX0YJY3kUge8fWIyhUzpY9NMQp9GDdESNMNQrKyl4oz7-DC1fC6o7kdHqUAEck290zM20oEtVa6vlEacn8zHv6CucYfKyAcRtFyHbm1ehPoBQMjZUr2o2yMZ3gZXY1swk/s200/IMG_1376.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Me in a race against the rain </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">setting up the tent </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
One advantage of having friends bring in your food cache was she brought me some really fresh good food and drinks. Our original plan since Mowich has picnic tables was to have picnic and that didn't happen with the rain storms. I had a Cobb salad, fresh fruit and some baked goods from the wheat-gluten free bakery in Kent for dinner. Yum!<br />
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I really wanted to go to Carbonado so I could dry out with my tent and but my friend had to work the next day, so that plan didn't work out. I really didn't want to spend another night in a cold wet tent. <br />
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Another advantage of having friends come out is bringing out fresh clothes, so got the food swapped out and then the clothes. After I changed and gave her everything I wanted to get rid off, it was time for her to go. I remember thinking as I saw her drive off was "why am I still sitting here in the pouring down rain?" That was a tough moment for me.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The four were still waiting so I went to talk with them for a while. I fessed up that I had a sat-phone if they needed to call for another ride to let me know. Another rain storm hit after that with a torrential down pour just as I got in the tent. One of the women came over to ask to call her mom for a ride. We got a hold of her mom and her brother was on the way. It was now 1930 and they had been sitting there since 1330! One of the guys' wife was supposed to pick them up and hadn't shown up yet. When the rain stopped, I went back to drink a root beer that Dawn left and talked with them some more. Finally, I left heading back to my tent and possibly some sleep. I fell asleep hoping for the sun, some better weather and at 2200 the sound of four people running to a pickup truck. Their ride had finally arrived after sitting there for 8.5 hours! (Note to any of the four, if you read this leave a comment or email as to what happened to that guy's wife and glad you all finally got picked up)solo2rmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265944932375045913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056140422731345607.post-18255588995978967922009-09-06T21:57:00.000-07:002009-09-07T10:00:44.828-07:00Wonderland Trail Day 3: Mystic Lake to Carbon RiverAug 11<br />
Mileage: 5 mi<br />
Mystic Lake: 5570 ft<br />
Carbon River: 3195 ft<br />
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Guess the ranger was right about the rain starting on Tuesday. Man, I was really hoping the weather would hold and I awoke to rain beating on my rain-fly at 0630 after another restless night of sleep and weird dreams. It must have been that beef stew I had for dinner.<br />
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I thought about getting up but waited to see if the rain would stop and nobody else in camp seemed to be stirring, so they must have had the same idea. The rain stopped about 0830 and I got up for a loo trip and to get my food from the bear pole since they were both on the other side of camp across the trail.<br />
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I wasn't in a big hurry this morning since I had another short day of 5 miles, so I took my time and the sun peaked out so I decided to try and let the tent dry some. That turned out to be a mistake because about the time some of the last hikers left camp and I started to pack my tent, the rain let loose with a downpour! Crap, you have to be kidding me!!! I got the tent packed up and the rain gear on and left camp around 1030 in a rain storm as day 2 of rain was really about to begin.<br />
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I headed up the hill to Mystic Lake and it was beautiful even with the rain and fog. I briefly spoke to 3 guys camped out at the lake which surprised me as I thought you had to camp at the camp sites. It must have been okay since they were right by the ranger station.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyX3_f0Mni-QLHEIdjjl_Z7OqOw6z1vyEdEkQwnRWttaWeuOPlYH87ozNnAYW7W3NJnaR2wWF8QRbLYiYbIjxqp59dF4Qnjp5EuBqWLRedqPt-p03Q3q2siq_zRSxMW1AL1TvoKTJpvPA/s1600-h/IMG_1209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyX3_f0Mni-QLHEIdjjl_Z7OqOw6z1vyEdEkQwnRWttaWeuOPlYH87ozNnAYW7W3NJnaR2wWF8QRbLYiYbIjxqp59dF4Qnjp5EuBqWLRedqPt-p03Q3q2siq_zRSxMW1AL1TvoKTJpvPA/s200/IMG_1209.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mystic Lake south shore</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Once on the south end of the lake and passing through a field and bit of a forest the trail headed up hill to Moraine Park. The wild flowers were out in bloom so the trail uphill was absolutely gorgeous. The 3 guys at the lake caught up to me at the top and then as suddenly as they appeared one of them headed back downhill. I never saw them again which surprised me as I thought they would pass me. They were hiking to the Northern Loop Trail. <br />
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I made the summit of the hill I was climbing up and there was another trail there but nothing was marked, so I stopped for a snack and updated the POI in the GPS and I knew from looking at the map the night before that it was downhill the rest of the day to the camp and the Carbon River, so I headed that way. It was about this time playing with the GPS that I realized I had forgot to reset the trip computer at White River and I didn't have the data for just this trip. Sigh...<br />
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Once down on the back side of Old Desolate Mountain there was Moraine Park and again beautiful with all the flowers. It had also stopped raining for a brief time and I became aware of a weather pattern on the mountain; the rain would clear, maybe a sun break and then the fog would roll back in to bring in more rain. <br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trail and wild flowers </span> T<span style="font-size: x-small;">histle</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPq6k0J6p8-4hgVpJ-YlYeDqsVi5-ycbG7eV0cH0Q44-_YahP6mZGrKv7cWRiN-vNyQ-swM4MWtAnXND7dOgmtwCusKAylv7uetQahlaXidfXYi6SlNRgVrW-Olx2aB5HiQC0DSnQXo80/s1600-h/IMG_1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPq6k0J6p8-4hgVpJ-YlYeDqsVi5-ycbG7eV0cH0Q44-_YahP6mZGrKv7cWRiN-vNyQ-swM4MWtAnXND7dOgmtwCusKAylv7uetQahlaXidfXYi6SlNRgVrW-Olx2aB5HiQC0DSnQXo80/s200/IMG_1216.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3RnkxxvwVxmsQvV5LiVGTHlrN5hR3vzUrvJfTH56ilWUSFjnXOhzVYZ7oPujPedbHgetj8j_2S2UXy60_FfPoAMv1cUtNVLXxgTs1gPhoIEnjDgrb_TN5B1-L45-BwlMQxMM-O9VvzM/s1600-h/IMG_1228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3RnkxxvwVxmsQvV5LiVGTHlrN5hR3vzUrvJfTH56ilWUSFjnXOhzVYZ7oPujPedbHgetj8j_2S2UXy60_FfPoAMv1cUtNVLXxgTs1gPhoIEnjDgrb_TN5B1-L45-BwlMQxMM-O9VvzM/s200/IMG_1228.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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I ran into 2 guys who were part of a large group heading to Granite Creek and talked with them for a few minutes. One of them was wearing cotton... I have to say it...WTF!...anyone with any sense knows you DO NOT hike in cotton anything! He was soaking wet from the rain as well, so hope he stayed healthy. I walked through the park enjoying the visual and scents of the different flowers. Also, it was nice to be on some flat ground as there is not that much of it on this trail.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Moraine Park</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfaN6UZakYRWo8XPv61A2GG6A5SAVe0Ln7jukeuh0GLNM3uvKXN35G1gVj-8Gvo8Tez8IpRjnaXXk9CTDSKLYwWBlx41B2gQMfgHwOo2z1IsCrcKURMRaqCZiUjgRyPeG_Yy8DKZjUR0/s1600-h/IMG_1255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfaN6UZakYRWo8XPv61A2GG6A5SAVe0Ln7jukeuh0GLNM3uvKXN35G1gVj-8Gvo8Tez8IpRjnaXXk9CTDSKLYwWBlx41B2gQMfgHwOo2z1IsCrcKURMRaqCZiUjgRyPeG_Yy8DKZjUR0/s200/IMG_1255.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Heading down hill the rain had started again and I ran into another solo hiker from the Norther Loop Trail and guess what, he was in cotton too! We talked for 10 minutes or so before he stated that he needed to get moving as he was cold! Well, yeah that happens when you wear wet cotton. Actually, this day I was surprised on how many hikers I saw with cotton on. Glad it wasn't me!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhie4PiI38PzTGU4_hAuEHd7v7LOixs3cslNYd6zrd6jiPAYB-jyVk6oHrB7bUMrzcJ2DluG9rZHUOQoBsYGfaK-QmyT8FJJpq1_5oQgxNzigK4MFR6qcZyBCsy32PodGkiQaKp_CFEvGM/s1600-h/IMG_1262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhie4PiI38PzTGU4_hAuEHd7v7LOixs3cslNYd6zrd6jiPAYB-jyVk6oHrB7bUMrzcJ2DluG9rZHUOQoBsYGfaK-QmyT8FJJpq1_5oQgxNzigK4MFR6qcZyBCsy32PodGkiQaKp_CFEvGM/s200/IMG_1262.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Downhill I went for probably 3 miles or so it seemed and mostly in the rain. I was going CCW (counter-clock wise) and those coming CW (clock-wise) I felt sorry for them. Most of them were bending over from the climb up and most of them called this the "death hike" and was wondering when it would end.<br />
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Some of the trail was extremely rocky and slick from the rain, so it slowed me down as that type of trail just kills my knees and feet. I'm also one not to rush to camp because once you set up and eat there is really not much else to do.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwC65MGSxF-Pn2fxO9b8SrULJcSn7HvPoShHLl5iyip7yXV_v1Z8ojmbOmNQ0CMlAiWujGrvFzqRwfNiSilb9qkVZfdjV-Vw0hjalHlyEnyssVvqSHffxBYwC7zPSXpgKEgOTGFNicTk/s1600-h/IMG_1275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwC65MGSxF-Pn2fxO9b8SrULJcSn7HvPoShHLl5iyip7yXV_v1Z8ojmbOmNQ0CMlAiWujGrvFzqRwfNiSilb9qkVZfdjV-Vw0hjalHlyEnyssVvqSHffxBYwC7zPSXpgKEgOTGFNicTk/s200/IMG_1275.JPG" /></a></div> <br />
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Once I passed Dick's Camp there was a trail detour because of a landslide. The fog was rolling in and out so I catching glimpses of the Carbon River and glacier. The fog stayed out long enough for me to see the river coming out from the glacier and it is pretty cool to see the beginning of a river.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopIa-nqq_wk4un5kXnMxakhJvVMNUcVSSq1QZtp4fqmkjMW9apMKsXFLAqTHkwVBlTWsjn_QFP9UX1ztjlVQQ_Fgo6m3JYVZDEP7EJ__stfHyfev8UuMINKk1N86yhNu4hPYdVBEfFbc/s1600-h/IMG_1291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopIa-nqq_wk4un5kXnMxakhJvVMNUcVSSq1QZtp4fqmkjMW9apMKsXFLAqTHkwVBlTWsjn_QFP9UX1ztjlVQQ_Fgo6m3JYVZDEP7EJ__stfHyfev8UuMINKk1N86yhNu4hPYdVBEfFbc/s200/IMG_1291.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Beginning of Carbon River from </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> its glacier</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7vTVrCX6DWOWtlqXXIGct0AsYl5Lgxy3quNQ2CSt1qUnbjqKCmaZBPDMbzYm2fJ31xdwSOdKyR6yqyTRzHU1SK4sWuuXIVbNcSZJo-bl5UaryCclMnzobosCi_7mAj6QsRwnnQggnz8/s1600-h/IMG_1292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7vTVrCX6DWOWtlqXXIGct0AsYl5Lgxy3quNQ2CSt1qUnbjqKCmaZBPDMbzYm2fJ31xdwSOdKyR6yqyTRzHU1SK4sWuuXIVbNcSZJo-bl5UaryCclMnzobosCi_7mAj6QsRwnnQggnz8/s200/IMG_1292.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Carbon Glacier</span></div><br />
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Almost at the bottom of the hill, I ran into a couple that had quit their jobs and had met on the AT (Appalachian Trail) and gotten married. Tina and Eric were very nice and now they were traveling around the US in their car, hiking when they could. Their web site is <a href="http://footpounder.com/">footpounder.com</a><br />
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Finally, came to the suspension bridge to cross the Carbon River. About time the Park Service and the US caught up to the Kiwis. In New Zealand, most big rivers have suspension bridges, not the log bridges currently on the WLT. The river was swiftly moving, loud and full of glacier flour, so started across the bridge and since nobody else was around got a few pictures in.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGs3kTA9T618PyV7Pd2rAcNcOhyphenhyphenvM86eyIbeakYH812KBJuWq2mIE2tm_sCAwalp9_Mncbs9pVaEvTNGa7bm4IGK_wDlQaXoDlN0Hwr2KqPWe2NrUpre_36pf5G0Up0QBFbB4uhFBDByc/s1600-h/IMG_1305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGs3kTA9T618PyV7Pd2rAcNcOhyphenhyphenvM86eyIbeakYH812KBJuWq2mIE2tm_sCAwalp9_Mncbs9pVaEvTNGa7bm4IGK_wDlQaXoDlN0Hwr2KqPWe2NrUpre_36pf5G0Up0QBFbB4uhFBDByc/s200/IMG_1305.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaYAlzPgKawk6g5tTe7Pj9tb5m5yLLRoq9PMMNp1re-axGHMGJyjR3lik2BRlO4ApmVahOCaAjP6iJzYiScO6rT82Gs77zFhnM0PAL0WcQqQf2-eehZkce6TqMJZaZn816NBuQFL6lgM/s1600-h/IMG_1304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaYAlzPgKawk6g5tTe7Pj9tb5m5yLLRoq9PMMNp1re-axGHMGJyjR3lik2BRlO4ApmVahOCaAjP6iJzYiScO6rT82Gs77zFhnM0PAL0WcQqQf2-eehZkce6TqMJZaZn816NBuQFL6lgM/s200/IMG_1304.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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Now the map shows the campground right by the bridge and someone had told me the same thing, uh, no. It's actually down the trail a 1/2 mile or so. I arrived in camp at 1530 and I have to say, I did not like this camp at all. I'm not sure why either. Maybe it was the fact that the other camps where flat and spread out where Carbon River was narrow and the sites were uphill. When you come into camp, site #1 is right there with no tree cover so that site was out since it was raining again. Then the group site is across the trail and looked nice. Walking further into camp is the bear pole and going straight back was a very treacherous trail to the toilet. My first though hiking back here, was "Hope I don't get diarrhea and have to run back here"! Sites 2-4 were UPHILL!!! A very muddy and slick uphill I might add. I took site #2 and ate lunch and took the tent out to dry it out during rain breaks to no avail. Getting water required walking back to the stream coming into camp at the junction for Spray Park, so it wasn't exactly convenient. Since it quit raining for a bit, I went to get water and decided since it was getting late and dark that I would wait a half hour to see if anyone else would show up and if not, move to the group site. Around 1800, I did just that and moved everything back down the hill and wouldn't you know it as I'm setting up my tent, another down pour. I have to get better with my timing!<br />
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I finished dinner and prepared camp for another wet and cold night. By time I crawled into the tent, I was still the only one in camp which is weird since the WLT was fully booked for the season. I had decided since tomorrow was day 4 and I was meeting Dawn for my resupply, I was getting up early and hitting the trail. I set the alarm for 0500 and again fell into a restless sleep praying for the sun goddess to show her glorious self the next day.solo2rmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265944932375045913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056140422731345607.post-83669321650361884292009-09-04T11:18:00.000-07:002009-09-04T11:33:36.532-07:00Wonderland Trail Day 2: Granite Creek to Mystic LakeAug 10<br />
Mileage: 5.5 miles (Green Trail map 4.3 mi, NPS planning map 5.5 mi)<br />
Granite Creek: 5765 ft<br />
Mystic Lake: 5570 ft<br />
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Awoke to a cold and damp morning at 0600, but really didn't feel like getting up that early since I had a "short" day. I stayed in the tent until 0700 and started what would become my routine of cleaning up & getting dressed, taking care of my feet with moleskin, and then packing up the sleeping bag and mattress. I then had breakfast of cold cereal and tea.<br />
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I had site #2 and Granite Creek is nice. Site #2 is by the bear pole and toilet and across the trail is the group site. You have to go down the trail about 75 yds to Granite Creek to get water.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOu4KlpdWQdCC-itGulwNTApkRNodip9cQu4aCs7VGp8XZvYlQVIONJjkpOeiSPRTm0gdl9JIcioRqD8-wWiAmOuSZHMi7gOHnnu-e6th95Ildz_TbqhO1m3u2cFx2dTTPUg36mtOyu8/s1600-h/IMG_1147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOu4KlpdWQdCC-itGulwNTApkRNodip9cQu4aCs7VGp8XZvYlQVIONJjkpOeiSPRTm0gdl9JIcioRqD8-wWiAmOuSZHMi7gOHnnu-e6th95Ildz_TbqhO1m3u2cFx2dTTPUg36mtOyu8/s320/IMG_1147.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Granite Creek campsite #2</span></span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">I packed the tent up and it was wet along with the footprint although I didn't hear it rain during the night. As I was packing up my pack, I think my old friend, Steve went walking by on the trail with his daughter. Steve is an ultra-light backpacker and this guy had a tiny pack. I was wishing I had a lighter pack, but Steve typically hikes the WLT in 3 days hiking 35 miles a day! I don't hike 35 miles a day so heavy pack it is! <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uhX-8twj__YVJUglT64QbOAk5pXXL7UocZcyOdzm1GZfaSV-adXyr3u9ZLhXiA1ZoJhPeGnI6RtCzB4-xd5lP3XeDrmUgasA8gD_TDXkFak3_X0uTyuY0nts1-T5NGmQhtwwHvFIptU/s1600-h/IMG_1148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uhX-8twj__YVJUglT64QbOAk5pXXL7UocZcyOdzm1GZfaSV-adXyr3u9ZLhXiA1ZoJhPeGnI6RtCzB4-xd5lP3XeDrmUgasA8gD_TDXkFak3_X0uTyuY0nts1-T5NGmQhtwwHvFIptU/s320/IMG_1148.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Granite Creek log bridge crossing</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><br />
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I called a friend on the sat-phone for a test call and to tell her to bring some things that I left behind and to pick up more moleskin. I left camp at 1010 and noticed that my blisters didn't feel too bad this morning and that I had mostly downhill to Winthrop Creek and uphill to Mystic.<br />
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Met a young couple finishing up the Northern Loop Trail and they mentioned that the bugs were still horrendous at Lake James. Bugs on the WLT were not too bad, so far. Also ran into an older couple that were on day 7 of 10 and they seem to be having a good time.<br />
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I finally got to a opening to see the Winthrop Glacier and it is spectacular. You could hear it move with cracking noises and see rocks fall off of it. I then ran into a group of 5 and talked with the 2 young women for a while. They were locals from the Seattle area and they gave me info on all the camps. They were on their last day heading to Sunrise.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkJHgEmnM_4B_Y39VcxE3S1nIrWIdQd4UdjgyYKVVqY6lTlb8CrLkqBMyUeXsI7SAOquxJ4naL5cPGdUmaCbTMN2shwqkToWPKcg9WxJamWAaGbrNDpNb54OPOOdKREIXJmSBm1OLD6Q/s1600-h/IMG_1158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkJHgEmnM_4B_Y39VcxE3S1nIrWIdQd4UdjgyYKVVqY6lTlb8CrLkqBMyUeXsI7SAOquxJ4naL5cPGdUmaCbTMN2shwqkToWPKcg9WxJamWAaGbrNDpNb54OPOOdKREIXJmSBm1OLD6Q/s320/IMG_1158.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Winthrop Glacier and a peek at the bottom of Mt Rainier</span></div><br />
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Downhill to Garda Falls which was moving fast and very pretty. I stopped for a break to take some pictures and noticed that my tent wasn't staying put so I tied it to my pack and good thing I did as I was crossing the log bridge by the falls, my tent came loose. I would have probably lost my tent to the river and would have had to go home. Whew! Stopped to secure it in a different position and moved to the log bridge to cross Winthrop Creek. I have to admit I was a little nervous about crossing my first river mainly because you hear stories about the log bridges being out and I really didn't want to ford a fast moving cold river.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroYl6VBlcMW8zLEu5kkqdHtsE3fMJXA3LPUm7Jr0vGfHUjHwBHaaErdk1zT8tSILDaX8JyBYm4Pa_8-Mm9BiXEJdeK8CyZI8EmI4wOC3MUPNQhMum1sI8XvycVVH1YtZbsd4FN0vmA4g/s1600-h/IMG_1167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroYl6VBlcMW8zLEu5kkqdHtsE3fMJXA3LPUm7Jr0vGfHUjHwBHaaErdk1zT8tSILDaX8JyBYm4Pa_8-Mm9BiXEJdeK8CyZI8EmI4wOC3MUPNQhMum1sI8XvycVVH1YtZbsd4FN0vmA4g/s320/IMG_1167.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Garda Falls</span></div><br />
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The first thing you notice besides the temperature drop is just how loud that river really is. The river was pretty high as the river level was just below the log. I just looked ahead and got across with no problems. Cool!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VyNY9DRxFjSoUq3RgOcMxqZYRiSKmbrCFYQIaVI45fSFDqPcVfPhyphenhyphensfpcflfJ1d0BCdNwVT2oneztP5gz6wg9Sdbh6ia9JtXkDkbmPy39cSYiBEM3VSpfs5_QWCFBlMU6eMmG7tQQB0/s1600-h/IMG_1174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VyNY9DRxFjSoUq3RgOcMxqZYRiSKmbrCFYQIaVI45fSFDqPcVfPhyphenhyphensfpcflfJ1d0BCdNwVT2oneztP5gz6wg9Sdbh6ia9JtXkDkbmPy39cSYiBEM3VSpfs5_QWCFBlMU6eMmG7tQQB0/s320/IMG_1174.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Winthrop Creek log bridge</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDA7I8ihe5qVMQgkuKDe93aHSVGeNu7N7Vl7SRgJie_ExTxot452jdXu9Wrz5jiOSG5ybquv-EixZeJIYngEUPRCGDSAfOMC4BtKpGkwDXdI3Z1v6EGi4aeYnKeOi0QzEBRQ4IUZYftig/s1600-h/IMG_1179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDA7I8ihe5qVMQgkuKDe93aHSVGeNu7N7Vl7SRgJie_ExTxot452jdXu9Wrz5jiOSG5ybquv-EixZeJIYngEUPRCGDSAfOMC4BtKpGkwDXdI3Z1v6EGi4aeYnKeOi0QzEBRQ4IUZYftig/s320/IMG_1179.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Garda Falls with the Burroughs Mountain</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> in the background</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Heading uphill to Mystic, the sun had come out but high cirrus clouds were moving in, so rain was coming. Little did I know! I got uphill some more and all of sudden I heard a couple loud booms and started looking around. They say if you are by a glacier and a river and you hear those sounds, check your water level and head uphill quickly. Since I was already up, I started looking around and heard another loud crack and looked up on the glacier saw this boulder about the size of a house breaking free and was rolling down the glacier! It fell into the river making this humongous splash and continued rolling down the river until it hit another big rock. Holy crap!!! It was miles from me, but served as a reminder that glaciers are always moving and to pay attention to what is happening around you. <br />
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The second river crossing was supposed to be the West Fork White River and I guess the flood of 2006 changed the river course. You are crossing a dry river bed with a small creek crossing. It is really eerie to hike across that! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NynbPDCPF3yNN29j2SmgCiex-7b8HOpcJMJkk1O8fLESfFS23rqFJYcWqlnNovJd1E0nJ84fDdFH3atls12btMqRj58X1UHFR4218w70XscgZBLyj5e6U1vvqMNAz00bAX6cPLkZBtE/s1600-h/IMG_1195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NynbPDCPF3yNN29j2SmgCiex-7b8HOpcJMJkk1O8fLESfFS23rqFJYcWqlnNovJd1E0nJ84fDdFH3atls12btMqRj58X1UHFR4218w70XscgZBLyj5e6U1vvqMNAz00bAX6cPLkZBtE/s320/IMG_1195.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Crossing the dry West Fork White River </span></div><br />
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Ran into 2 older ladies thru-hikers and stopped to chat with them. One of the ladies commented that my packed looked heavy and that I had too much. I explained that food, water and my tent was the bulk of my weight and I was solo, so I didn't have the luxury of splitting weight with a partner. She then stated that "You must be really strong" and her friend whacked her in the arm and said "Of course she is". I walked away laughing.<br />
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I arrived at Mystic Lake at 1410 and took site #4 and got the tent out to dry and then ate lunch. I got the tent, me and my clothes all washed and cleaned up. The ranger showed up checking permits and found out I was supposed to be on the group site. Oops and I offered to move and she said I didn't have to, which was nice. She would direct a group there to stay that came in later.<br />
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Started dinner and the winds started kicking up. After dinner, I was going to walk up to the lake but the winds were now gusting around 50 mph, so didn't go. Got everything put away and noticed that the camp was now full.<br />
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A good second day completed and felt better about being out there solo and felt more settled about being on the trail. I fell asleep to the trees creaking and the wind blowing hard.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoi5TdO0Rsa6ZeJete2AcXgCOkX8i_O4LKixgpK5-_kxqE5C6B80rLbcJSG6wNojADSjYWE_MgdlT5SIjGHdZvBAjDmwQjllEntgJgevBUvzw8nKv_AZQ4fOsSxZb5w2rvXEqCyjdocrQ/s1600-h/IMG_1207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoi5TdO0Rsa6ZeJete2AcXgCOkX8i_O4LKixgpK5-_kxqE5C6B80rLbcJSG6wNojADSjYWE_MgdlT5SIjGHdZvBAjDmwQjllEntgJgevBUvzw8nKv_AZQ4fOsSxZb5w2rvXEqCyjdocrQ/s200/IMG_1207.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mystic Lake site # 4 </span></div>solo2rmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265944932375045913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056140422731345607.post-85235586488468534242009-09-01T20:16:00.000-07:002009-09-11T21:20:42.134-07:00Wonderland Trail: Day 1 - White River Campground to Granite CreekAug 9<br />
Mileage: 7.5 miles<br />
White River Campground: 4232 ft<br />
Granite Creek: 5765 ft<br />
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Here is a <a href="http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/upload/trailmap-2.pdf">link to a map</a> to follow along. Also here is a link the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/upload/Wonderland%20Trail%20Profile-Longmire.pdf">trail elevation profile</a>.<br />
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I woke up later than I wanted after a restless night of sleep and had some apprehension about doing this hike and going solo. Checked the NWS web site for the weather and looks like rain Mon - Wed, hope not. Left home at 0745 and headed to Enumclaw for breakfast. My trainer told me about this place called The Kettle. Holy smokes! I ordered a 1/2 order of the Buckley scramble and could have fed a family of four on it! It was huge and way too much food, but the place has good food and prices plus a friendly wait staff. As I left the restaurant, it started to rain.<br />
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Got to the White River Entrance and picked up my permit and drove up to the campground and found parking. I got one of the few spots left and was grateful for that. Got my gear together and got ready to go. I was not happy with my pack weight being around 40 lbs as I was hoping for around 30lbs, but it was time to get going.<br />
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Found the trail-head after sorting out some confusing trail signs and headed uphill for 2.5 miles. I had a woman at a car camp site take my picture before I left. Ahh...that first day excitement...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcW0pBGdAkrJGBuJ5ddFhXPs5QWLN9IbwhzBtg4GZf9ADMD_jRYu2X2LrXGn_zyMIbxDXA-W_a_QYNIMu_126zgX65mITbDpny4D0bqy3i-8uzBB06ciS58X73uuLiRPg3KWNmy5PcIeA/s1600-h/IMG_1116.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377031638599088530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcW0pBGdAkrJGBuJ5ddFhXPs5QWLN9IbwhzBtg4GZf9ADMD_jRYu2X2LrXGn_zyMIbxDXA-W_a_QYNIMu_126zgX65mITbDpny4D0bqy3i-8uzBB06ciS58X73uuLiRPg3KWNmy5PcIeA/s200/IMG_1116.JPG" style="display: block; height: 207px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 277px;" /></a><span id="formatbar_Buttons" style="display: block;"><span id="formatbar_Italic" style="display: block;" title="Italic"><img alt="Italic" border="0" class="gl_italic" src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" /></span></span><span style="font-size: 78%;">Me at the historic ranger hut and trail head<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Officially st</span>arted my adventure at 1135 and with the trail being in great condition and about 30 minutes into my hike ran into a thru-hike couple and talked with them to get some info about the trail and camps. They did tell me that there was a detour at the Carbon River CG so I thanked them for the info and wondered why the ranger didn't mention that.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7NpG7BEdbr4eKHcm-YeATEXZqAbo48li1iOs-2mqSCETcjyZX8PgAPTeI1midQhvzbGQRG8B5fRcOnlYL2dOW62qrL21jRCUJJxup61GZpa99PpuDg3YupdWX5wHJoV_BRs5R8ghGuY/s1600-h/IMG_1117.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377034823119361186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7NpG7BEdbr4eKHcm-YeATEXZqAbo48li1iOs-2mqSCETcjyZX8PgAPTeI1midQhvzbGQRG8B5fRcOnlYL2dOW62qrL21jRCUJJxup61GZpa99PpuDg3YupdWX5wHJoV_BRs5R8ghGuY/s200/IMG_1117.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 234px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">Headed</span><span style="font-size: 78%;"> up the trail to Sunrise</span></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4GIIaMki0e1EKGSPl10nKYyC7FxW5w2kmZrldJxgAfWAGnQtIgBnnEN9EoJsw4Mx00VWLIoBx6prx_utays63GtuO6lUt_GSSsoeYiOK9hC4MWZElpc9gQKQK6xp-xcPUTZClp9obDU/s1600-h/IMG_1119.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377035551228813186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4GIIaMki0e1EKGSPl10nKYyC7FxW5w2kmZrldJxgAfWAGnQtIgBnnEN9EoJsw4Mx00VWLIoBx6prx_utays63GtuO6lUt_GSSsoeYiOK9hC4MWZElpc9gQKQK6xp-xcPUTZClp9obDU/s320/IMG_1119.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 255px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 205px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">Cool little waterfall through a tree<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I came to a field with wild flowers and they were everywhere. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjIa9zu_NtfHLwErjvq5tam7TK63DPIPBAOlJcvHfmJtPfBuomFXzCPcpl7u6KBMDV-9sbkUtJChdTnppytrQufNUbB6-X0JTdj6xXeQ5ZqosBgQFgiX5X_I9ttMHuho4Jj-1kbDuYjw/s1600-h/IMG_1132.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377036774060257714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjIa9zu_NtfHLwErjvq5tam7TK63DPIPBAOlJcvHfmJtPfBuomFXzCPcpl7u6KBMDV-9sbkUtJChdTnppytrQufNUbB6-X0JTdj6xXeQ5ZqosBgQFgiX5X_I9ttMHuho4Jj-1kbDuYjw/s320/IMG_1132.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 226px; width: 301px;" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Finally making it to the trail junction to Shadow Lake where I would have lunch. I met a group of women out for a day hike and talked with them on my way t</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">o the lake.</span></div><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYp6KtJgHg0iXqor-eaW62qjXw0azMSk2_3knAYLHhiPdSazFbRpQ4w-6aSPZsP1BZA6RuYjrT6PLkote5D5hYlS9HEX6ILIsFDwWY1nDWu_5yIx5taKSy_GLaRfemsvWBnllvG7YtSg/s1600-h/IMG_1131.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-weight: bold;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377038167525701026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYp6KtJgHg0iXqor-eaW62qjXw0azMSk2_3knAYLHhiPdSazFbRpQ4w-6aSPZsP1BZA6RuYjrT6PLkote5D5hYlS9HEX6ILIsFDwWY1nDWu_5yIx5taKSy_GLaRfemsvWBnllvG7YtSg/s200/IMG_1131.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 150px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dS9o4Pc7Nn61N6MJ5Ud-XN5G9sWZm8AgdADEXsRMWq-Vf_badFKgJed2dWRXho3E21k4UDCpKBXDzYwfwmuYBE1k2smuaVTE852g_tDRGikNkEtM8np-ECr2xL1U8uF35hKF5T8LVR8/s1600-h/IMG_1135.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377040844380496642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dS9o4Pc7Nn61N6MJ5Ud-XN5G9sWZm8AgdADEXsRMWq-Vf_badFKgJed2dWRXho3E21k4UDCpKBXDzYwfwmuYBE1k2smuaVTE852g_tDRGikNkEtM8np-ECr2xL1U8uF35hKF5T8LVR8/s200/IMG_1135.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 224px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 298px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">Field of wild flowers at Sunrise Park<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKGJfiYBmeoUihlz1U0C4PSkUjME_OPWEz7QLxxfg5XyZ0DAOCLgvixF7hsLbFfQ70YMEPUkRufcNIBOzjdDZ02uTzQsGpqAKojMj1U-M9Z3br3MlBJ_tHmFq2PoiJ7-ziPtGsYFgTNI/s1600-h/IMG_1139.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377040438430154642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKGJfiYBmeoUihlz1U0C4PSkUjME_OPWEz7QLxxfg5XyZ0DAOCLgvixF7hsLbFfQ70YMEPUkRufcNIBOzjdDZ02uTzQsGpqAKojMj1U-M9Z3br3MlBJ_tHmFq2PoiJ7-ziPtGsYFgTNI/s200/IMG_1139.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 181px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 241px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">Shadow Lake<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EHYuSArPepptl40-GpPv2b_mVdngXnFDVizi12AtQkLw0AlEoop3ZRWlW-A8jQ3RxyMAt4xO3900AP4H37vPYTpb3km2KWhb-Pfc1kaWuL7kC7R4_p31JjOaNxpgpocyE11v78NCJ7c/s1600-h/IMG_1142.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377040861281893202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EHYuSArPepptl40-GpPv2b_mVdngXnFDVizi12AtQkLw0AlEoop3ZRWlW-A8jQ3RxyMAt4xO3900AP4H37vPYTpb3km2KWhb-Pfc1kaWuL7kC7R4_p31JjOaNxpgpocyE11v78NCJ7c/s200/IMG_1142.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 168px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 225px;" /></a></div></div><span style="font-size: 78%;">Deer with 2 fawns on way to Frozen Lake<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br />
After a lunch break at Shadow Lake some misty fog rolled in and upon reaching Frozen Lake it turned into rain. Stopped to put on the rain gear and pack cover. Climbed up to Skyscraper Mountain and was ruled out a scramble up since it was still raining and I would get no views.<br />
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Finally started heading down hill to Granite Creek and it stopped raining. I made it to camp a bit wet and with a few blisters. Set up the tent, ate dinner and got cleaned up. Met my camp-mates who were locals and heading to Carbon River the next day. Not a bad first day and went to sleep hoping the weather would hold.<br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div></div><span style="font-size: 100%;"> </span></div></div></div>solo2rmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265944932375045913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056140422731345607.post-45111058675870530542009-08-30T15:02:00.000-07:002009-09-09T17:46:55.060-07:00Wonderland Trail PreparationIn 2007 I decided to hike the Wonderland Trail (WLT) that loops around Mt. Rainier and is 93 miles with an elevation gain and loss of like 23,000 ft.<br />
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I had a permit to hike the WLT in 2008 but with the last year's snowfall, that didn't happen and I canceled my hike. In early August 2008, most of the trail was still under feet of snow.<br />
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I applied in March 2009 and received my permit for dates of Aug 9-21 . Also, I had asked friends if they wanted to go but really had no takers. I was going solo and that is something I really didn't want to do on a trip this long. In compromise with one of my climbing partners, I agreed to take a sat-phone along.<br />
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I also started researching on how to dehydrate and make my own meals as food allergies keep my from buying the freeze dried meals at the stores. Plus, they would taste better!<br />
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I found a web site <a href="http://www.trailcooking.com/">trailscooking.com</a> that had video tutorials on dehydration as well as recipes that I could control the ingredients and make changes for my own palette.<br />
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Around the end of June and into July, I got a dehydrator and started dehydrating beans, rice and pasta. I tried vegetables, but that experiment went bad so just bought some instead to save time.<a href="http://www.golite.com/images_products/600x600/PA5961_414_front.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="96" src="http://www.golite.com/images_products/600x600/PA5961_414_front.jpg" style="float: right; height: 150px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 150px;" width="96" /></a><br />
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Got my meals together gave them to my friends who graciously volunteered to drive out to Mowich Lake and Longmire to bring my food caches to me. These locations allowed me to carry 4 days of food at a time.<br />
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I also started looking at weight and realized that in the past few years that there had been an ultra-light revolution in gear. I ended up with a <a href="http://www.golite.com/Product/ProdDetail.aspx?p=PA5961&mc=144&t=&lat=">Go-Lite Quest</a>, weighing in at 2 lbs 15 oz. Much lighter than my old pack coming in at around 7 lbs.<br />
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Next up was a new bag, again going with a <a href="http://www.golite.com/images_products/600x600/PA5961_414_front.jpg">Go-Lite Adrenaline 20</a> and coming in at 1 lb 12 oz. (Since <a href="http://cascadedesigns.com/images/product/large/tar_neoair_angle.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="118" src="http://cascadedesigns.com/images/product/large/tar_neoair_angle.jpg" style="float: left; height: 118px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 96px;" width="96" /></a>I'm writing this post-hike, I love this bag! It is well worth the money.)<br />
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I also bought the new <a href="http://cascadedesigns.com/Therm-A-Rest/Mattresses/Fast-And-Light/NeoAir/product">Therma-rest NeoAir mattress</a> (love it) coming in at a whopping 9 0z and rolled up is about the size of my water filter.<br />
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I also went with <a href="http://www.gsioutdoors.com/detail.aspx?p=50143&lu=%2fDefault.aspx&c=4&&a=9">GSI's solo stackable cooking kit</a> at 10 oz and a new <a href="http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/stoves/fast-and-light-stoves/pocketrocket/product">MSR pocket pocket stove.</a><br />
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I took the minimum amount of clothes that I could safely complete the hike and a few luxury items. However, my tent (5lbs), water bladder full ( 6lbs) and 4 days of food (8-10lbs) would make up the bulk of my weight. My starting weight was around 40 lbs and would be that weight on resupply days.<br />
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I debated for some time whether to take the bladder and just use a bottle, but that would require me to stop and fill up every 30 minutes or so and I decided to go with the bladder carrying the water weight to save time.<br />
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I also had prepared physically by working out at the gym and hiking on the weekends. In retrospect, it really paid off as I really felt good on the trail.solo2rmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12265944932375045913noreply@blogger.com0