September 16
Yesterday I bumped into a couple other Nobo hikers, Kitty and Tex. We took our last break at the same lake and all stayed at the same campsite last night. About the time I was laying in bed thinking about packing up I heard kitties alarm sound and figured they were getting up as well. I think I have a little faster morning routine with most other hikers. I got my stuff all packed up, crawled out of my tent, and looked over y to see not much was going on around me, I finished packing, ate breakfast, and headed out at 6:40. I am hoping Tex and Kitty will catch me at some point during the day. It’s nice hiking around other people.
Early in my hike, I came across this bridge with the stream flowing beneath it
I began today’s major uphill ascent as the sun was lighting the top of the adjacent mountains.
As I continue up, I can see another one of the cascades cone shaped mountains. I find these very interesting.
As I continue up I come to another meadow with beautiful red leaved, plants, and mountains in the background.
I stopped at this mountain stream to get my water for today and have a quick snack.
I continue up Trail and cross this small stream the giant pointed peak stands before me, and soon I come to a lake at its base.
I cross another stream and begin heading up the mountain. I believe I will cross a saddle close to the pointed peak. Looking down, I can see the lake that I pictured before; how far away it looks.
I did indeed cross a saddle just to the right of the large shaped peak. I am sitting just on the other side of it with beautiful views enjoying my second breakfast. As a bonus when I reached the saddle, I was able to get a very small cell signal and was able to wish my number three happy birthday.
After crossing the saddle, I started back down to the next valley. I passed by a view of this beautiful lake and several incredible mountain scenes in front of me.
I’ve dropped down to the bottom of the valley where the Stream is running down this crevasse. There’s some waterfalls up top and a good flow where I’m stopping to camel up.
I just passed through deception Pass. It does not look like a pass. In fact, I didn’t even realize I had passed through it until I looked at my map.
This little lady just climbed up a steep hill side right onto the Trail in front of me, it stood still for a picture and then then continued up the mountain side on the other side of the Trail.
A break in the trees gives me a good view of the mountains on the other side of the valley
I’m back on an uphill climb. The section in Trail is fairly exposed but offers incredible views the surrounding ranges.
The trail passes along the shore of deception Lakes.
After another long, uphill climb, I reached Piper Pass just below it by 2 miles is glacier lake, which is going to be tonights campsite. I’m getting some brief glimpses of it from the Trail, along with surprise Lake that sits just below it. There are incredible mountain ranges all around.
I descend a steep and very rocky switchback Trail. My feet do not like this kind of tail.
Soon I am at the valley floor , there are still some rocks but much smoother. I walk alongside the beautiful, green vegetation.
I transition into forested land with a dirt trail made from decomposed rock and organic material. Three very different terrain types within a very short period of time.
I arrived at my campsite at glacier lake. It is very busy here many locals. I found a somewhat little spot to put my tent. It’s probably the most un-level of my entire hike, but it will work. It’s my earliest night in bed for a long time and unfortunately campers around me are not quiet. Hopefully I’m tired enough to fall asleep and not be bothered.
Today’s PCT miles hiked 22.4
Total PCT Miles hiked to date 2451.2
Miles left: 202.4
