July 23
The public campsite was better than I had expected, it was quiet at night. We got up packed and were able to use a real toilet. We headed back to the Trail at 6:15.
This morning was a tough 8 mile uphill push. Much of the trail is beautiful. Typical Washington, very green foliage, in an evenly spaced forest. At the top of the 8 miles I stopped for a second breakfast. Our first water on the stretch is at 13 miles so not only did we have a big uphill, but we needed to carry extra water when we did it. Needless to say, I did not stop to take many pictures.
I arrived to the top of our climb for today. It is a nice flat area good for camping. There is a great view of Mount Adams, and as I was drinking my second breakfast a butterfly decided to join me.
I continued down the trail, mostly downhill, and came to a piped spring for a good water refill.
3 miles later I stopped at Sheep Lake for lunch. It’s more of a pond then a lake, with a muddy bottom, not very deep, and reeds growing around it. I also had the return of mosquitoes. Between trying to eat my lunch quickly, and not get eaten by the mosquitoes, I failed to take a picture. A half mile up the trail I came to this beautiful Meadow.
The second lake we have come to is Green Lake, which honestly is less attractive than Sheep Lake.
Shortly after passing Green Lake, I came to another large open meadow, this one somewhat flooded in the middle
After another grueling uphill, with great views, we arrived at Blue Lake. This one is beautiful, and will be the site of tonight’s campsite. The lake was comfortable for a swim and wash off before dinner.
Today’s PCT miles hiked 23.2
Total PCT Miles hiked to date 1663.5
PCT mile marker 2206.2
(Flipped over 542.8 miles)
