It rained for most of the night with absolutely intense thunder, and close flashes of lightning; However, I woke up to dry skies. I packed up and headed out at 10 after six as the sun was hitting the mountains on the far side of the bowl I am in.
As I come up out of the first rise from my camp, I can look down at the valley below. It is filled in with fog. It’s a really cool sight
As I come up over another saddle, Lillypad Lake comes into view
As I continue down trail I come around the corner and have another just stunning view of rocky mountains towering over a brushy hillside and small meadow.
I am heading towards a road on the other side side of the valley. The engineering is incredible, watching it wind all the way down.
I stopped at the top of this rock outcropping for a short second breakfast break
I have reached another gorgeous saddle with var reaching mountain views on both sides
Just 100 feet down the side of the trail is this outlet to an underground spring providing cool crisp water
I’ve come to another vista that gives a wide open view. Perfect for another pano picture
Looking down into another beautiful Valley from this rock Vista
I am so happy to see this yellow flower with the droopy head again. It is known as the Glacier Lilly. I saw it a week ago, but did not take a picture of it because it was always overcast and I did not know if the head picked up in the sun. It’s overcast again, so I still don’t know if it lifts but at least I have gotten a picture.
The snow is not done with us yet. However, these are much smaller patches.
I arrived at my campsite and anguished for a few minutes over whether I should continue 3.2 more miles to a cabin that volunteers have been restoring. Another hiker I had met on the trail today, “honeymoon“ was excited to get there and pushed on. Other than experiencing the cabin, there’s really no reason to get the extra 3 miles so I decided to stay here and settle in a little earlier than normal. I set up the tent, made dinner, and just as I finished dinner, it started to rain. I probably would’ve still been on the trail to the cabin. Good choice.
Today’s PCT miles hiked 21.8
Total PCT Miles hiked to date 1146.2
PCT mile marker 1687.8
(Flipped over 542.8 miles)
