Packed up amongst all the mosquitoes, there’s no escaping them, I had a good breakfast and was walking at 6:08 which for some reason seems to be my new morning time. As I begin hiking I can look down below at one of the lakes my campsite was between. Both just a little too far. To camp at
This area of the forest has many of the moss covered trees. This purple flower, growing in the same area is known as the Pacific bleeding heart.
As I come to the next water fill location I drop my pack and grab my bladder, bottle, and filter. It’s about a half mile walk downhill to an area described as “mosquito hell”. I got to the water fill location and truly did not find the mosquitoes any worse than any place else. I filled up and headed back up hill to where I had left my pack. Ironically, this is probably the steepest section of Trail I have had in Oregon.
In talking with some other hikers, I now have a dilemma. A few South bounders we talked to yesterday asked if we were taking the alternate to Shelter Cove. I had not heard of an alternate and I’m not aware of one. It does not show up on my PCT trail app. There is evidently lots of snow in front of us and this un-official alternate goes completely around it. It’s also shorter than the actual trail by 10 miles.
On the map, it looks like a much better choice, but it’s not on the actual trail. I need to make a decision in the next few miles, I could also continue with my original plan and join the alternate mid way. There is a second trail, leading from my campsite down, connecting to that alternate I can take if I find the snow is too heavy.
I arrived at the location where the alternate starts. For those who know me and my trail name, you know with a name like “All In” I couldn’t take the alternate just to save some miles or avoid difficult Snow Trail. I was rewarded with a 4 mile uphill climb from the junction where I needed to make the decision. I did see this lake to my right as I started the climb.
I Passed by this view of a pointed peak called Cowhorn Mountain. About 2/3 into the climb I was able to stop and go .1 off Trail to this small lake in order to refill my water.
Same mountain as before, although I’m much closer and much higher.
I’ve made it to the top of my climb, and this is what I am greeted with, more snow! I’m also rewarded with more amazing views.
Off in the distance is crescent lake that is where the alternate I considered would pass by. It most likely would’ve been my camping spot tonight.
I have discovered one useful thing for the snow patches I am walking through, I was ready to have a snack and my snickers bar has been in my hip belt most of the day and is soft. I buried it in the snow and it is good as new.
This rock has a tree sapling that is growing in one of its cracks amazing where things can take route and grow.
As the trail arrives along the shore of summit lake, I’m tempted to set up my tent right away, but continue on a little more to the road Junction to look for a better sites. I had read about one about .2 miles down and went to check it out but they were 2 tents there already, so I turned around and came back to the car accessible area that was empty.
Unfortunately, the mosquitoes are active so I quickly set up my tent and threw everything inside. I then went for a nice swim in the lake and cleaned up that felt great. I quickly got re-dressed and rushed over to my tent, slapping away as many mosquitoes as I could, I climbed inside, made dinner and set up my sleeping area. The tent site is absolutely gorgeous. It will be in my top 10 campsite list. I’ve left the vestibule on the lake side open and you can see the view through the tent screen.
Today’s PCT miles hiked 23.4
Total PCT Miles hiked to date 1348.1
PCT mile marker 1889.4
(Flipped over 542.8 miles)
