Dave’s PCT & Other Adventures: Day 111 over the mountain to the cabin

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Day 111 over the mountain to the cabin

I woke up to a beautiful sunrise over the lake. Along with the sunrise the mosquitoes wake up, I did as much packing as I could in my tent, ate my breakfast got everything laid out and ready for the battle of packing the rest. I jumped out of the tent, and had to move from place to place packing a little bit at a time then moving. Any time you are still for more than a few seconds you are swarmed by the blood suckers. I was walking out of camp by 5:50 this morning ready for a good day.

One last view of summit lake, before I cut off towards diamond Mountain.

This portion of the trail is said to be littered with small, lakes and ponds which are quickly found to be true as i passed 10 to 20 of them in the first few miles.

Diamond peak in front of us is what I will be going around today.

The sound of streams never gets old, and they all look a little different.

As I wind around to the left side of diamond Peak, I have wide-open views off to my side. The mosquitoes are still on the march and swarming at any time I stop to get a quick picture.

One of the interesting but frustrating things on the trail is you never quite know where you’re going to go? Just when I thought I was going around the left side of Diamond Peak the trail switchbacks and traverses across winding around the right side.

So far today’s snow traverses not been too bad.

I stopped at this spring to refill my water and camel up. I also ate my 10 mile snack. The creek is covered in snow, but there is one access hole. I am able to reach down and fill my water bottle with.

The trail passes by Yoran Lake. Additionally, I continue to pass smaller, lakes, and ponds along the trail

As I went up an elevation I traded the mosquitoes for snow. Now that I am dropping back down the feisty little blood suckers are returning with a vengeance.

Took a quick stop off at midnight lake to refill my water and camel up before my lunch spot in about 3 miles.

The Pacific Rhododendrum, a new plant I have identified it’s flowers are stunning.

This is the overlook to Odell lake. Shelter Cove resort is located here and was an option for camping and package resupply. When I decided to mail my packages, there would not have been enough time to get one here so I am bypassing it and pushing forward to Elk Lake resort, hoping my food will be there on time.

The trail took me by a series of three Lakes known as lower, middle and upper Rosary lakes. I stopped at the third one and had a swim/bath, filled up my water for tonight because the shelter I am heading to is a dry camp. I then headed back uphill.

There is a new flower here that I had not yet identified it is the Primula Pauciflora. Part of the Primrose family.

A after leaving the lake, I had a hard uphill push with 10 pounds of water. At the top of the hill, you can look between the trees and see all three lakes in a line.

I pushed hard today because I wanted to make it to the Maiden Peak cabin. It is kept up by a ski club group of volunteers. It was originally designed and built by forest service ranger Chris Jensen. It is open for PCT hikers to stay in and may be a comfortable indoor place for me to be tonight. So far I have it all to myself.