September 19
As I woke up and prepared to begin packing, I heard a light sprinkle starting outside. I laid awake for 30 minutes until it went away and then got everything ready. One interesting thing here in Washington is many of the And more popular campsites have a sign pointing to toilet. This camp has one as well, and for the first time I followed the trail. It is a very small, modified pit toilet known as “a thunder box“ this one has an absolutely incredible view. After appreciating it I was on the trail at 7 AM.
I had a clear view of the valley, just before a cloud bank rolled in, as I headed up switchbacks for my first significant climb of the day.
I have reached the Airplane Lake Fire Trail closure. I have been following this fire on Inci web (a fire status, website) and based on its activity, the resources assigned, and current fire weather I have no idea why this trail is still closed. But it is six days ago I sent an email to the local forest office listing , my firefighting experience history past and current national qualifications and my past deployment history, requesting a permit to walk through the fire area. As of Sunday night, there had been no response. I’ve spoken to other hikers on Trail, who have walked through this area and said the fire was not near the trail, there was no evidence of a fire and it was completely safe. Again, I don’t know why this trail is still closed, but it is. The detour is 17 miles. The closed area is only seven. I won’t state online if I chose to obey the closure or if I walked through.
I have reached the northern end of the detour and fire closure. I met four European hikers who went through the fire area and took pictures. The closed area was absolutely beautiful. The fire was approximately 2 miles south of the northern closure, across a drainage, slowly smoldering and backing down the hill against the wind. There was no smell of smoke and smoke that was visible, was hanging low to the ground with no visible flame. There was a very large, low fuel, content, hillside between the fire and the trail. Current weather conditions do not support active burning. The trail closure appears to be out of a very very extreme abundance of caution.
As I head uphill from the closure, I’m on the windward side of the mountain, and a cloudbank is rolling through with a slight breeze that is very chilly. I am headed towards the knob at the top. You can see part of the trail in front of me on the hillside.
I have reached the top of the knob and have more amazing views.
I drop over another saddle into a barren Valley.
I found these two white-tailed ptarmigan birds next to the trail. They are very docile and let me get close for a picture.
I’ve been going down a valley that is about a 6 mile ascent my foot starting to hurt a little so I stopped for lunch at this stream. It is a beautiful location. On my last section I was about a day faster than I had planned, and I am planning to do the section in about an a day and a half faster than I had planned. With my food delivery that gives me a bonus treat. I have extra Peak Dehydrated meals that I have substituted for some of my lunches
I cross a fairly substantial foot bridge over the river who’s water is turned a milky white.
I’ve come to this damaged but crossable bridge. It has collapsed in the middle. I soon find myself in one of the areas of forest that I seem to really enjoy. I like the moss and smaller green foliage. I think it’s one of my favorite forest environments.
This last section a Trail has been like an obstacle course! Lots of low downs, water on the trail, overgrown and culminating with a river crossing. By the way, looking at the eroded Cliffside next to the river, I can see where it gets its milky white color.
Following the obstacle course, I began a steep 11% grade uphill climb for 3 miles. Although I have to say, even though, I am going to work hard now, the beginning of the day with the colors on the mountains, the discovery of all the new fungi and the beautiful forest walk today is probably one of my second favorite days I continue to climb up and down with amazing views, and almost every point.
As I go on my last 1.7 mile climb it begins to lightly sprinkle I Crest the am saddle, go 1.3 miles down to rain. It stopped until I got to Mica Lake where I have chosen to camp tonight. I quickly set up my tent as the rain became more than a sprinkle. I quickly got everything inside and waited for it to slow it little so I could get water from the lake for my dinner.
Today’s PCT miles hiked 27.3
Total PCT Miles hiked to date 2521.8
Miles left: 131.8
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