Last week in Oregon! Lots of pictures this week, as the trail stayed mostly on ridges and avoided the “green tunnel” effect. Also the weather was nice, and there wasn’t any nearby wildfire smoke.
Day 118: (August 16th)
Mt Jefferson at sunriseGetting closer...Its a cold morningA glacial creek coming down from Jefferson. The water looked like Yoohoo!
Day 119: (August 17th)
Old school trail markerTypical northern Oregon trailAn oddly grandiose trail entrance at a road crossingView from our (Sci-fi, NordicTrack & I) campsite at lake Timothy that night. The water was warm!
Day 120: (August 18th)
This bridge seems waaay over engineered for pedestriansBonus miles to a cool lake!The reflection makes it hard to see, but the lake is perfectly clear and 40ft deep!Yup. We need rain!Hikers and shenanigans go together like...bacon & sriachaTimberline lodge!
Day 121: (August 19th)
Ladies Man reserved a room at Timberline lodge, and 8 of us hiker-trash crowded into a 6-bunk room, with 2 on the floor. It was totally worth it, only $25/person, and included breakfast buffet, a hot tub, and laundry!
Breakfast buffet!I think we spent 3 hours eating.Finally hit the trail around noonRamona falls. Very cool detour, more bonus milesCrossing a raging glacial creek on a slippery log. The brittle cordelette handrail was mostly for show.Mt Hood in the setting sun
Day 122: (August 20th)
Getting an early 6am start!....and then the fog rolls in. D'Lux leads the wayDescending on the Eagle Creek trail into the Columbia river gorge. The vegetation is sooo different!Tunnel falls!Sci-fi leads the way behind the falls. Oregon reminds me of Ithaca.Bridge of the Gods!Welcome to Cascade Locks?We went to Shrek's Swamp, the home of a local trail angel
Day 123: (August 21st)
This was a zero day, to resupply food and mail it ahead to all the town stops in Washington. We also HAD to check out the Thunder Island brewery (they really expanded since last year) and the ice cream shop.
I bought food for all of Washington, about 21 days of hiking.
Oregon was beautiful, it quite a bit flatter/easier than CA, and it was surprisingly civilized– I don’t think I went more than 48 hours between towns or trailside resorts. I expect Washington is more remote, and I’m looking forward to the last 500 miles of trail in the evergreen state!
