Day 137 my aching leg

July 31 

I woke up with the sunrise off to my right, I could see through the bottom of my tent with the burned area. It almost looked like a fire in the distance. Packed up and was walking at 6:10

I am arriving at the Mike Urich cabin. It is only maintained by a local snowmobile club that sits on the edge of this beautiful meadow and has two hour houses behind it. I had a snack and some water OK short break. Town stop and shop for Sheryl arrived my 10 minute break turned into route 40 as we visited a little bit.

Leaving the cabin I encountered the biggest mushrooms I think I’ve ever seen. They are almost the size of my head.

I took my second breakfast break alongside this spring on the side of the hill.

We had more mid slope trails with open views to beautiful valleys and jagged peaks in the distance.

I have been battling a tendinitis on my right leg at the shin. It has me hiking much slower than I would like and definitely in more pain than I would like. I did consult one of my good friends today who is a doctor and he confirmed my thoughts and gave me, some good advice.

Just off trail is this tiny spring. There’s also a couple of tent sites very close to it where I have chosen to camp tonight. It is in a little bit of a valley so I hope there’s not too much condensation in the morning, and it’s definitely not the flattest spot in the world, it’s probably my most sloped site of the trip.

Today’s PCT miles hiked 21.6

Total PCT Miles hiked to date 1821.8

PCT mile marker 2364.5

(Flipped over 542.8 miles)

Day 136 camped in the black

July 30

I woke up next to Dewey Lake with a light layer of fog rising above it. Around 3 AM I woke up, thinking it was raining, but discovered later it was just condensation, splashing off of a branch above me. 

I hit the trail at 6:25 and started a small, uphill climb. Past an open in Meadow and a small mountain lake.

Soon I was approaching chinook Pass trail head. It is very popular and has a lot of cars there. I was on the Sunny side of the valley and the fog had all burned off, but coming over the pass fog from the opposite valley was rolling over the hill, it looks pretty cool.

Chinook Pass is the entrance to Mount Rainier national park and I crossed an attractive foot bridge over the highway then paralleled the highway on the trail high above for a couple miles. 

At 5 miles I came to sheep lake beautifully set in a mountain bowl 

I climbed high above sheep lake to cross the next pass. The top gave me a great view of sheep lake on one side and the valley on the other. 

After hiking to the opposite side of the valley, of the pass I just went over, I’ve got beautiful views of the Craigie mountains, and a Meadow with a lake. 

If you look closely at this picture of Mount Rainier, you will see there is a mirror image of the one from goat rocks. I have walked around to the other side and passed it. 

I stopped for lunch at this meadow that has a spring coming out of the hillside amongst the wildflowers. It’s a very pretty setting. 

I’ve entered another very large burn area, and while all the trees have burned, and that makes it desolate looking, there are some cool mountain peaks across the valley.

I arrived at my campsite, which is right next to a spring to refill my water. It’s in a burned area and not a very attractive site, but it’s flat, has water, and meets my mileage goals. Coincidently it is also at my 1800 miles hiked mark.

Today’s PCT miles hiked 21.2

Total PCT Miles hiked to date 1800.2

PCT mile marker 2342.9

(Flipped over 542.8 miles)

Day 135 A beautiful lakeside tent site

July 29 

As I pack up to go, I look out over the lake, which is now shrouded in fog as the morning begins to warm. I put my pack on and head out of camp at 6 AM again. 

Today’s one of the more overcast days I’ve had in a while. As I passed by another lake it to was shrouded in fog. A heavy haze hangs over the trail ahead of me.

Bruschetta Lake is another one of those beautiful lakes that the trail passes by. The water which is still in the early mornings, casts surface reflections of the trees that are truly special.

This riverbed is currently dry, but you can see how the water and its power has smoothed the rocks over time.

It seems every half mile or so. I pass another pond or lake along the trail today. I’ve only taken a couple picture of them, but they are all beautiful. 

I have arrived at this creek which will be my brake for second breakfast, and a little bit of rest. 

The trail utilizes this wooden walkway as it goes through a Meadow protecting the grasses. 

There is a little larger river off to the left of me. It’s peaceful sound reaches me as the water goes over the rocks. I get a occasional glimpse of it

We arrived at Bumping River, which has no bridge, so I will need to look for a place to cross. There is a large tree just down from the trail that I have chosen to walk across.

I’m passing by another beautiful, huge meadow which has a stream running through the middle and a little lake on the right hand side. The grass at the far end is gently swaying in the 

After our break along the river, i have a steady uphill climb. At about midway up the mountain the trail looks down on this beautiful meadow and Lake.

breeze

I took a short break at this stream to refill and drink some water

As I continue my uphill climb im going alongside this barren, steep, mountain side.

More exceptional views as I look back across the valley and surrounding mountain ranges

It’s almost as if these trees stand guard on the top of the castle wall

The trail wound around and up to the trees pictured above and entered the Mount Rainier wilderness. A couple of turns later Mount Rainier stands before me.

I found a place nestled in some rocks between some trees that was a nice spot for lunch. I had a tall, flat rock face on the other side of the trail from me.

As I approached where I would camp tonight, and passed by this meadow with a winding stream. 

I arrived at Dewey lake, it is large and a beautiful. I set up my tent. lakeside made my dinner and went for a swim. Going to try to get a little bit of an early start to my sleep tonight.

Today’s PCT miles hiked 23.6

Total PCT Miles hiked to date 1779.0

PCT mile marker 2321.7

(Flipped over 542.8 miles)