Saturday, August 24, 2013

Mile 2001- 2007 Big Lake Youth Camp to Bend

It was so nice sleeping indoors in the cabin last night. We took our time eating breakfast and lingered a little before heading back out in the trail. We only had a few miles to walk to Santiam pass. We chatted the whole way and got there pretty quickly. We bumped into Rafiki, now Scout, and chatted for a while before attempting to hitch. 
Just as we were about to try walking to a better spot we were picked up by a really nice guy and his three sons. I got to ride in the back of the truck, which was brilliant. 
They were going as far as Sisters so we stopped off there for some lunch at the Sno Cap. We bumped into Astrid and Israh, so great to see them again. 
Then Scot, part of the couple we met at Elk Cove Resort came to pick us up and drive us to his home in Bend. 
We ended up staying two nights with Scott and Siiri. 
Bike rides, store, salmon, creamed corn and salad, use of computer, laundry. Next day we went to REI and bumped into Astrid and Israh again. Then Scott took us to a running store where I picked up new shoes. The Vasques I bought in Chico are already falling apart. Lets see how New Balance trail runners do. 
Scott is a long distance runner (100 mile races!!!!) and has company sponsorships etc as well as being a paramedic and Siiri is a physical therapist so we were lucky to get lots of advice and practical help with our shoe/feet/body questions. 
They were amazing hosts, Scott took us to a great Mexican restaurant for lunch, and we were treated to a great steak dinner in the evening. All in all a fabulous time. 



Mile 1982 - 2001 Lava field to Big Lake Youth Camp


Tracy's notes: thunder, lightning and rain during the night. Cozy in tents in a small island forest amidst a lava field protected from the winds from the walls of lava rock around us.  
- beautiful morning scenery leaving glacier peaks awash in clouds and pink mist from the sun rise 
- walking thru lava fields most of the day
- We lucked out and were very excited to get a free cabin to stay in at the Big Lake Youth Camp near Sisters, OR. Apparently we timed it right and all the youths are gone for the week so the staff kinda gave us free run of the place including dinner, showers and laundry. Dinner at 5:30pm, by luck we got in at 5:29pm. 

Crossed over 2000 mile mark! 











Mile 1959-1982 Elk Lake Trailhead to Opie Dilldock Pass

Spectacular day of scenery. Started in the forest and had coffee and powdered donuts at a fantastic lake. We then entered beautiful meadows with great views of the Three Sisters and really interesting geological formations. Saw lots of obsidian, a black shiny glass-like rock that Indians used for arrowheads. 

Met a bunch of hikers at break and was able to give Acid Glasses extra insoles I was carrying but didn't need. They had just glissaded down one of the Sisters. Also ran into lots of Scout troupes. One group of boys, when asked where the adults were said "They're behind us; they have desk jobs".

As we walked through amazing looking lava fields in the muggy heat we heard thunder. We found a fantastically situated camp spot in a sheltered but prehistoric setting. 











Mile 1936 - 1959 A mile before Taylor Lake to hill above Elk Lake Resort

Today was the first full overcast day of the trail, which is quite amazing to me. This section of the hike has 100's of lakes. We hiked separately for most of the day. Tracy and I caught up at lunch and went swimming at a beautiful lake. 

Met a hiker named Kelso sitting on the trail who was writing down the names of everyone who passed.  He has been carrying a very heavy glass contraption that he calls a "bong". I think it may be a device for catching ants. He looked very relaxed. 

We had planned to meet Katie and camp at around mile 1959 at the trailhead down to Elk Lake Resort. Tracy and I got there early enough to set up our tents then go to the resort ( a couple of miles there and back) for a burger and beer. We met a great couple called Scott and Siiri who live in Bend and do lots of stuff outdoors. They were at the lake to go kayaking under the blue moon. I didn't realise a blue moon is the second full moon in a month. 

We returned up the hill to Katie bearing French fries and donuts for tomorrow's coffee break and exchanged news about our day. Tracy spotted a bear running away from us. 







Friday, August 23, 2013

Mile 1915-1936 Odell Lake to a mile before Taylor Lake

Today we are lucky to have a guest blogger: 

Hey Ya'll,

Katie AKA BooBoo Kitty Soft Paws here guest blogging for IT (Ingrid & Tracy).  Welllll it wuz just another beautiful day of wilderness walkn'.

Last night we cowboy camped around two miles from Shelter Cove Resort, for sale BTW, on cliff overlooking Elk Lake. The moon was full and bright over the water. It sure wuz purdy.

The day started with an uphill section, niiiice on a chilly morning, crossed Highway 58 near Williamette Ski Resort and traveled to Lower Rosary Lake. The mountains and trees were perfectly reflected on the sapphire water as we ate breakfast. Muk Muk, Dingo, Mudd, Coincidence, and Sneeks showed up and it was the beginning of what would become a super social lake day on the trail. I misread Halfmile's app and announced that we had a twenty three mile stretch without water. Toooootal buzz kill. Thank lil' baby Jesus in a manger someone mentioned the next water was Bobby Lake, only seven miles ahead. Bobby should be pronounced as Sacha Cohen pronounced it in Talladega Nights, Boobee.

Welp...seven miles later at beautiful Boobee lake we had lunch with all the folks from Lower Rosary Lake plus Drop Bizkut, Acid Glasses, and Butters. Coincidence charged Ingrid's iPod with his battery charger.

Charlton Lake was the afternoon break location. IT took a swim and enjoyed some sun. There were families swimming and playing there who had hiked up from Waldo Lake. Drop Bizkut had a hilarious convo about words for Boobees.

The last several miles of the day meandered through a burned area with sun bleached trees and colorful undergrowth. IT skipped along this section singing the french version of Edith Piaf's No Regrets.

We camped in a cozy spot a mile before Taylor Lake.

XOXO





Monday, August 19, 2013

Skytrail Mile 4-1915 Oldenberg Lake to past Shelter Cove Resort

Not much to report. Another exceedingly pleasant day hiking with Tracy and Katie. No big climbs or descents, just a meandering sandy path through the forest. Took a mini dip in diamond lake at lunch. Got to Shelter Cove Resort at 2pm, enough time to shower, do laundry, eat pizza and sodas from the store, and charge devices. 
Later we hiked a few miles to the most amazing campsite high on a hill where we cowboy camped with views over the lake. Full moon. Really atmospheric. 





Sunday, August 18, 2013

Mile 1866-Mile 4 OR/WA Highpoint to Oldenberg Lake on Skyline Trail Alternate

Woke up to a nice sunrise. Walked 12 miles, found an off-trail water source, then another 6 to the beginning of the Skyline Trail alternative. This takes us past lakes to the Shelter Cove resort where we will resupply with food. 

The three of us had a very pleasant and hot day. Boo Boo Kitty's feet felt okay in the morning so we were able to crush a lot of miles early on. 



Mile 1843-1866 near Grouse Hill to Oregon/Washington PCT Highpoint

Got up early in order to do "10 before 10". Ten miles before 10am. The water sources are so far away it's good to hike early when it's cooler and we don't need to drink as much water. The first part of the hike was pretty dismal scenery wise, just forests with lots of dead trees, many blocking the trail. Things opened up towards our lunch spot at the xxx creek. Had a fun hike with Tracy and Katie talking about hiker rewards, like who would be "most likely to succeed" "Miss Congeniality" etc. in the afternoon I stuck in the iPod and speed hiked to mile 1866 where we set up an early camp. It's the highest point of the trail in. Oregon/Washington at 7560 ft. It got cold when the sun went down but otherwise doesn't feel very high, not like, sigh, the wonderful High Sierras. 

Sagitaur and Frank joined us at our camp spot and we had dinner together and a fun conversation.  





Friday, August 16, 2013

Mile 1829-1843 Mazama Camp site to near Grouse Hill

Slept in, then collected our boxes at the store, thanks for sending them Tricia. We then took another shower and used the little bottle of shampoo, razor, soap and other goodies we'd sent in the box. Sorted out food for our next section on the picnic tables and chatted with other hikers as we waited for Katie to get there. 
We eventually got everything ready and the three of us made it to Crater Lake. Walking along the rim the views were great.  Camped just past the "No camping" area with Mud and Dingo.