Category: Long Distance Trails

Start: 658.3

Stop: 682.7

Today’s miles: 24.4

Total PCT miles: 870.4

Today was a long one, maybe not mileage wise, compared to other days.. but whew buddy. My feet are on fire!

We got up early and left Big Lake Youth Camp before 7am. The day started with a burn zone and cruisey flat terrain. Sometime late morning, we hit the lava rock. I saw it coming and decided to go take care of some business while I still had tree cover. I sat my pack at the trail and winded my way through the sporadic trees. I actually felt like I did a great job, a good 200 feet from trail-like I’m supposed to. I dug my hole, easily too.

Right as I was in a compromising position that couldn’t be corrected, if ya get my drift, I saw Marquis walk by. I somehow wound my way back to the part of the trail I had already covered. I was maybe 50 feet away. Holy head slap and eye roll. I prayed he couldn’t see me, because business had already started and there was no chance of pausing to move.

Then. To my complete horror, a couple we had leapfrogged around a bit with this morning also passed me, in that same compromising position. Shit. Literally. Oh well. Nothing to do now but pray they don’t notice me and finish up. No one said anything to me, so there was still hope. All of them could have been trying to keep my dignity intact by ignoring me.. if they only knew that went out the window awhile ago.

I made it back to my pack and hit the lava rock. It was intense. I put up my sun umbrella and pushed through. It looked like someone took all of the asphalt in the country and jackhammered it into pieces of all sizes-then dumped it all right here. It was hot, black rock, with rough sides. It made it so difficult to walk on. At times I wouldn’t even use my trekking poles for fear of one getting jammed and broken in the mess.

I passed the lady of the couple early on, and after what felt like a lifetime, I caught up to the man as well. He was sitting in the first shade from the first tree coverage offered in over an hour. I thought about plopping down next to him to eat my lunch, but there wasn’t much room. So, I continued on.. only to walk back into more lava rock for 15-20 more minutes.

The second I hit trees again, my pack was off and my food was out and my new shoes, who hurt like hell, were off. I don’t know if it’s the lava rock or just new shoes, but they are hurting something serious. They already have tears in the heels, I think I’m getting a blister on one of my heels, and they’re rubbing the tops of my toes funny. They DO NOT feel like my other shoes.

Anyway, complaining aside, I started to eat my lunch and wait for Margot. I got most of it down when I started to get swarmed by yellow jackets. I decided to mostly pack up, but keep my crocs on, and move down some into a different shady spot.. the trail appeared to stay in some trees for a little longer. As I was doing so, a couple passed me going NOBO and told me that there’s trail magic ahead at the next campsite! WHAT?! Say no more!

Crocs and half packed I threw my pack on like a teenager trying to be cool and “one armed” it all the way to the trail magic, where Marquis was! I had already eaten, but since they had drinks: I DRANK! Not to mention we were in the middle of a 14 mile stretch with no water and it was blisteringly hot out. I had a Dr Pepper or 2 and a beer or 2, too. I ate some fruit and pretzels and we chatted with other hikers, Margot (who got there soon after me), and the hosts.

The hosts had hiked the CDT in 2019 and the husband hiked the PCT in 2011. They had a little boy running around and a baby girl, only 11 days old, wrapped in a blanket being loved on by grandma. We asked CDT questions and talked all things trail. Margot naturally made everyone laugh. There were tons of NOBOs we didn’t know, a couple from Australia stayed and chatted the most. We just didn’t want to leave!

Eventually we realized we had stayed entirely too long and we forced ourselves to get moving. My feet physically seemed to recoil from my new shoes. I shoved them in anyway. More lava rock was on the way. The next several miles hurt. Not only because of the jackhammered asphalt on my sore feet, but also because I decided to step on a rock that rolled with my foot, sending me to the ground in a sliding kind of way.. you know, the kind of slide on actual asphalt that gives you road rash. My wounds looked exactly like that. My right calf up to my thigh, somehow my left calf and my wrists where I broke my fall. Y’all. I’m doing great over here.

I was slow going from there. Wincing with each step, wanting to whine but having no one around to listen to me. As the sun was dropping lower into the sky, I finally got out of the devil’s rock and made it into some wildflower meadows. The trail went through them and alongside a beautiful creek, the colors glinting in the sunset. There was a waterfall, and then around 8:30ish, I finally made it to camp.

I thought Marquis and Margot were ahead of me, but only Marquis was sitting there, making sure to claim as much space as possible.. so we’d all 3 fit our tents in this space. Margot was somehow behind me, and I immediately wondered if she caught my fall from a distance behind lol. Why am I like this? Haha. The two of us scoped out the area and I found a spot flat enough for my liking and got to work unpacking.

Margot got there closer to 9. Once everyone was set up, Margot and I ate dinner in our tents and then said our goodnights. It’s been dark for while now, my feet are throbbing, as are my new scrapes from the rocks. I’m really hoping tomorrow is smoother going. Maybe my shoes will feel better and I’ll be over that hump of breaking them in. I think that’s all I have for today. Time to pass out! Goodnight.

Start: 653.3

Stop: 658.3

Today’s miles: 5

Total PCT miles: 846

I popped straight up in bed at 2:28am. My shoes! I didn’t get my shoes at REI! SHIT! In all my stress over the watch business, (including my slight meltdown) I totally blanked and forgot to get the shoes I bought and had shipped to REI. Crap. I fell back to sleep, and well, too.. but I kept that thought in the forefront of my brain.. I can’t leave town without them!

We all were awake before 8am. Y’all have to know I hated that, but nothing could be done to prevent it. The people in the motel were walking hard, moving stuff, opening and closing doors. I let Margot think she was the one to wake me by going to the bathroom, but then admitted I was awake before that, just fighting it, hard.

We laid around until after 9am, I did anyway. Marquis ate cereal he bought from Safeway, and I ordered Margot and I Chick-fil-A from DoorDash. She ran out to Starbucks for her coffee while we waited for the food. We ate in bed and watched Friends until we had to start packing. I dropped the shoes and REI bomb on them early on, so they were ok with going by there first thing this morning.

We took a bus to REI, I ran in and got my shoes and then we ubered to a place called “Park n Float” to float the Deschutes River. For $24 each, they secured our packs in a locked room, gave us each a tube, and drove us to a launching spot, picked us up afterwards and dropped us off at the place with our packs. Pretty sweet deal. And it was SO MUCH FUN. We floated, ate popcorn and cherries, laughed, and watched Margot panic over ducks and geese. To be fair, I’m scared of the geese too.. they can be mean as hell!

We had such a great time! Before we knew it, we had our packs back on and we were walking to the main road to try to hitch back to the trail. Margot had her sign out, “PCT hikers to Trail” but we weren’t having much luck. We moved locations some, with a pitstop at a gas station for Gatorade (and I got a sandwich), because it was HOT out there. We tried out our new spot, and after 20 or so minutes two ladies stopped at the same time.

Originally neither was going to take us to the pass, but just to a better spot to try to hitch from, saying we were on the wrong end of this street. Then, the one lady decided last second she’d just take us the whole way. She chatted us up the whole hour out to the pass, asking us questions and filling the silence in a way that was enjoyable and not overwhelming. She dropped us off at the trailhead and we had to get our shoes on and get the show on the road.

I don’t like new shoe days. Those first few miles are painful, breaking in the stiff shoes hurts my feet. Eventually the pain eased off-or I learned to deal with it, and I can only hope tomorrow is better. We only went 5 of the easiest miles in the world to Big Lake Youth Camp. It was flat and hot. I got there after Marquis and Margot, but in time for dinner. The youth camp lets PCT hikers eat meals with the camp staff for free, or donation (we all gave a nice donation).

We were served pizza, salad, watermelon, and the nicest ice cold water. We could have seconds and thirds, and we all did. The picnic tables were slap full of hikers and camp workers.. and the camp staff were young 16-25 year olds, more on the 16 side for sure. They were kind and prayed over the food before we ate, some talked to us and asked about our hike.. and then, after most had ate their share of food, but every hiker was still piling it in our mouths, it was like all hell broke loose. Loud squealing girls talking drama and all the latest gossip. It got a little too overwhelming at one point that I decided I didn’t need anymore food and left to go scout out a campsite.

I found us a spot and met Margot and Marquis back where we left our packs in a “hiker area.” The camp is real good about keeping the hikers away from the actual kids at the camp, a safety thing I’m sure, and we all have to sign in with all of our personal info, like addresses and phone numbers, for safety purposes, too. I liked that. It was very well organized and very well ran.

We walked to the camping area and set up in one of the only spots not on a sandy/muddy beach or in the middle of a ton of fallen dead trees. It’s not bad at all. We walked to the water’s edge to watch the sunset. It’s been a gorgeous evening. We’re all a tiny bit burnt from the tubing extravaganza, but I think it was definitely worth it. Laying here now, I can hear lots of yelling and hooting and hollering.. I’m not sure what’s happening back at the camp, but it sounds like they’re having a blast. And that’s fine by me, I’m pretty sure my earplugs will be tuning them out here in just a second! Haha.

We have a long stretch without water tomorrow, and it’s going to be hot and we’ll be crossing lava rocks.. so it’s going to be exposed more than likely, too. Knowing it’s going to be a rough one means I should probably try to get some sleep. Which is exactly my plan now. Sweet dreams, y’all.

Start: 645.1

Stop: 653.3

Today’s miles: 8.2

Total PCT miles: 841

It was a cold night, but I was bundled up nice and warm in my quilt. I love that thing. I did however have a couple nightmares that kept waking me suddenly throughout the night-causing me to kick everything off, wake up, realize I was fine-and cold-and then cover back up. Repeat x2. These charred burn zones mess with my head a little bit. I also realized during one of those startling wake ups that my quilt had condensation on it, and so did my tent. That’s what I get for setting up on the grass, sorry again Mother Nature.

When I got up around 6:30 ish, Margot was packing and so was everyone else. I like when I don’t have to try to be quiet, because I feel like there’s no real quiet way to shove a quilt into a plastic bag without it making racket. Margot left about 5 minutes before me, and we were both on a mission to get to Santiam Pass so we could hitch hike into Bend, Oregon. Her parents paid for us a hotel for the night and it’s MY TURN for a bed to myself! I’m elated!

Anywho-the morning started with a few blowdowns to conquer, then as I climbed the only ascent of the day, which was quite short, a gorgeous view of Three Fingered Jack Mountain appeared, glowing in the morning sunlight. I was awestruck by it.. and definitely wasn’t expecting it. I caught up to Margot on the switchbacks here, only because she stopped and stared awhile, too. It was something special after miles of burn zones and blowdowns and deep forests.

From there, we stuck together, hightailing it to the pass. Before we even realized it, we had hiked the rest of the 8 miles to the pass. I had service on the way, so I called Marquis to see where he was.. he had camped 4 miles closer, got to the pass, and had gotten a hitch halfway to Bend. He was sitting in a cafe in Sisters, Oregon having a coffee. We told him we’d let him know when we got our hitch so we could try to get to Bend around the same time.

We got our hitch in probably 2 minutes or less.. our pink shirts and Margot’s sign saying “PCT Hikers to Town” really work the magic for us. A sweet man named Bob in a nice pick up truck got us and drove us to Sisters, because he lives there and wasn’t going into Bend. I asked him if he’d drop us off at the McDonald’s, which he kindly obliged.

It was only 10:30, but Margot and I got lunch there.. I ordered and then went to the bathroom to wash my hands. Yall. I was a MESS. I had dirt and dust all over me, head to toe, face included. Someone actually backed away from me when they saw me in the bathroom.. haha. It was kind of nice, being given some space, lol-I know I had to smell as rough as I looked! When I came out, Margot had already gotten our food and we sat a table and ate. I actually ate two Big Macs.. TWO. Plus a large fries and drink.. and I was amazingly still somewhat hungry. Like, I wasn’t starving anymore, but if someone offered me anything else, I would have eaten it. Crazy, huh? The hunger is insane.

We finished up and headed outside to the road to start hitching again to get to Bend. We let Marquis know and he was doing the same. It took a bit longer, but it wasn’t bad. A woman actually stopped and we didn’t even realize she was stopped for us for an embarrassingly long time. Her name was Sara and she used to live in Reno! She said I seemed familiar to her and she wondered if I was the travel nurse she stopped and talked to for a long time while on a hike.. maybe it was me? I do tend to do that!

She took us into Bend and got us as close as she could to our hotel, but she was on her way to a doctors appointment and was probably going to be late, thanks to picking us up (she didn’t complain at all, I was the one that pointed the time out to her). She dropped us at an intersection and then turned away from where we were, so I knew she had been going out of her way already. She was so very sweet to us!

We walked to the motel and met Marquis there. From there, we got our dirty laundry out, left our packs with the lobby lady, and got an Uber to the post office. Andrea and Andres (I think that was his handwriting 😉 ) mailed me my shorts that I was praying would fit right and I could give Marquis back his shorts (which I’m now quite fond of). We walked to the laundromat from the post office, attempting to hitch there.. without the packs and the sign it’s not nearly as easy.

Marquis was able to snag us a ride with less than a half mile to go.. but a half mile is a half mile! We were happy! We did our laundry and sat around playing on phones and catching up with the world while our clothes washed. We got an Uber to REI.. where I lost my mind because they didn’t have a new watch for me. They had only WHITE bands in stock of the watch I wanted.. I did not want to pay HUNDREDS of dollars for a white watch. It send me so far over the edge I literally wanted to cry. What a psycho I am.

We got what we needed and Margot and I ate at a sushi restaurant across the street. It improved my mood for the time being, but I was still feeling crushed, which is completely ridiculous. Even still, I was feeling my feelings or whatever. The sushi was good and the wine was, too. Marquis didn’t want to eat because he was full from eating 12 pastries that morning waiting on us, haha. He did his own thing while we ate, then we ubered back to the motel.

We put our stuff up then walked down the street to the Safeway to resupply. I bought way too much food. Like how do I always do this? I wanted to get some travel sized shampoo and conditioner for our motel showers, but they only had big bottles. I wanted to get a new adapter for my headphones.. but they didn’t have that either. Jesus, does Bend have anything I need?!

I walked across the street to Walgreens while they finished shopping. ALSO didn’t have travel toiletries or a headphone adapter. You’re kidding me?! I was on the verge of a meltdown. I paid a stupid amount of money for new headphones with the cord that will work on my dumb iPhone, and a full sized bottle of conditioner. The motel has its cheap shampoo, so that would have to do.

We got back to the room and started our showers and organizing our stuff. I showered last and I scrubbed so long I thought my skin would come off. It didn’t. And neither did all the dirt. It’s kind of crazy actually, because I even used an exfoliating mitt and still couldn’t get all of the dirt off of my legs. I didn’t get most of it though, and then afterwards I was able to get even more with the roughness of the towel. Nasty, huh?

We hung out and watched Modern Family on TV for several hours before bed, munching on snacks and I shared a bottle of wine with Marquis. It was delightful and it completely fixed my rotten mood. Clean and in a bed to myself. Oh, sweet bliss. Marquis and I are also freezing Margot out. She’s cold natured and we have the air on.. she’s bundled up in her fleece and leggings and we have our legs kicked out of the covers. Hahaha, I’m about to sleep so good! Goodnight, y’all!