backpacking

I decided to take it easy a couple days before reaching the Canadian border. I spent the day leap-frogging with my trail friends as we hiked a bit less than 10 miles, explored a lake, and enjoyed “cocktail hour” in a beautiful alpine meadow.

An inspiring day, hiking from pass to pass to pass beneath steep mountain ridges.

For two days I hiked almost exclusively uphill. I’d ascend over 5000 feet from the trailhead just north of Stehekin through Bridge Creek Valley, up into Rainy Pass and then a big climb to the top of Cutthroat Pass.

One of my highest mile days around Glacier Peak included a young bear, old trees, rivers and creeks. It was an easy mileage day, but ended with a bit of unnerving news…

Halfway through Section K on the Pacific Crest Trail! I found myself on a roller-coaster of a trail, passing through river valleys and over wildflower filled ridges.

The best views of Glacier Peak are four days north of Steven’s Pass. My day started low and climbed up and up to scenic vistas and wildflower-filled alpine bowls.

My third day on trail was a day of epic proportions and a million photographs. I travelled through incredible alpine meadows, climbed through a transition zone and was stunned by the vision of Glacier Peak. 

I knew I needed to ease myself into my thru-hike. My second day on trail I had all day to hike 11 miles over and through forested and meadowy ridges. My day ended high in the alpine at the lovely Lake Sally Ann.

At the end of July I was back on the Pacific Crest Trail. I was determined to complete the Washington sections I had missed last year. My first day out was a ridge line wander from Steven’s Pass to Pear Lake.