Dave’s PCT & Other Adventures: Day 115 Meadows, mountains, and a lake

Sunday, July 9, 2023

Day 115 Meadows, mountains, and a lake

After waking up I went down to the hotel lobby for breakfast, and then met up with Tc and Jelly for a ride to the trailhead with Ron and Karen.

We arrived at the trailhead and headed back up to the PCT at 8:27. 1 mile later and we were back on the PCT taking our first steps at 8:50.

We bumped into this ranger who checked our permits and asked us a few trail questions, and on our way we went. He said we cannot post a picture of him so I have altered the face

We’ve entered a rather pretty section of Forest with larger moss covered trees, a spring, ground cover, and well shaded from the sun

The trail has opened up into this wide open space with beautiful views all around. We have south sister closest to us with a more rounded top. To its left we have middle sister with the sharper peek.

We have been hiking along side this long lava shelf that sits at the base of South sister.

The trail leads us out of the fairly desolate Valley and in to this green forest, shortly the trail opens up with a view to this beautiful meadow. There is a creek flowing through and some shade trees, which made for a perfect lunch stop.

This purple Western Bog Laurel is growing next to the stream. Along with the yellow Field Merigold.

The trail switched back down a Mountainside, covered with wild strawberry plants and these white Marsh Marigold plants, on its way to this beautiful stream snow lined stream.

Soon, I enter another meadow with another good view of South Sister, beautiful wide open spaces, and groupings of lava rock. There is a stream flowing through the center of it with purple Large-leaves Lupine growing alongside.

This peak is known as the husband.

South Sister and Middle Sister are both coming back into clear unobstructed views.

We arrived at tonight’s camp that sits at the base of South Sister, standing tall above a small lake. My tent is on a flat spot behind an outcropping above the lake. After setting up our tent, we went down for a swim, filled water bottles, and came back up to the tent sites to make dinner.