September 21
By the time I got everything set up last night it was dark, no tent, pitcher, and again I forgot this morning as I was getting everything ready. I had a visitor last night. I found a small hole in the side mesh of my tent, where a mouse had come through to explore , I woke up at 5:30 started to pack up went out to pee at six and it was still way too dark. I crawled back in my tent until 6:30 and hit the Trail at 7:15.
Thankfully this morning, the skies are clear and the sun is hitting the tops of the mountains across the valley from me. It should be warmer today, and I may get a chance to fully dry everything at lunch.
I have not seen my shadow friend in a couple of days. It’s nice to be together again because it means the sun is shining.
It’s been 4 1/2 miles since I left my campsite and I am again crossing Minors Creek much higher up the mountain. I’m stopping for some water and I’m going to eat a second breakfast.
I finish my biggest climb for today as I pass through Suiattie pass. The dome peak fire closure had been lifted a few weeks ago and has been re-instituted. Again, I need to decide if I am going to hike through a closed trail area or take a detour. The weather is not conducive to active fire burning, we had a wetting rain 24 hours ago, the fire appears to be up in a valley above a river drainage the trail follows. In my professional opinion, it should be very safe, but it is a closure.
From more pictures, I was able to attain, Up in the drainage, you can occasionally see smoke through brakes in trees, no active fire. It appears to just be mostly smoldering and well away from Trail uphill with a drainage between.
Additional pictures I was able to attain the trail follows along a beautiful river with some deep gorges and white water below.
As I approach Highbridge, a National park with a ranger residence, the mountains above are still partially lit in the sun as it is slowly setting. This is where I will be camping tonight. A Road from the town of Stehekin leads here. Stehekin is where the detour leads.
I cross a large foot bridge that leads up a switch back to a dirt road that goes down over another large bridge to a ranger station. I spoke to Stan the Ranger, who pointed me in the direction of a place I could camp.
I set up my tent inside of a shelter that should provide a little warmth and hopefully keep any dew off of me so my tent can finish drying. I ate my dinner and settled in for the night.
This is an area with high bear activity. I was able to throw away my trash in a bear trashcan and store my pack and food supplies in a bear box.
Today’s PCT miles hiked 27.5
Total PCT Miles hiked to date 2572.9
Miles left: 80.7
