camping

Slack packing is a term used to describe hiking part of a trail with a near-empty pack. Even though we had 17 miles to hike, our fourth day was light and fast. Plus we had a bath and a bed to comfort us at the end of the day.

Our third day on the PCT took us from sagebrush and cacti to oak and pine trees. We topped out at 6000 feet near the summit of Laguna Mountain.

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

After a challenging couple days I was ready for a break. Instead of hiking the long detour trail to Stehekin, I left Holden by bus to join my husband and friends on the Lake Chelan ferry. I was grateful to be with my friends and to have time off to rest, recuperate and to explore the unique town of Stehekin.

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 had only been home from the PCT for about a week before I started thinking about what we could do for Labour Day weekend. I got the all clear from my physio to hike again and chose the Heather Trail in the north end of Manning Provincial Park. We could drive up to about 6000 feet and start the trail in subalpine meadows. We’d keep our mileage low and take it easy on the trail.

DAY 4: Waptus River to Deception Pass (14.8 miles)
Today’s miles were fueled by berries. Thimbleberries, blueberries, and huckleberries carpeted the trail side. Not only did they help me keep going, but they gave me a reason to slow down. To see the little things that this world offers. The juicy, sweet, and tart little things. 

My second day in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness would take me 2500 feet up, through an alpine cirque, and then 2500 feet down. I’d pass through some lovely meadow, by a couple alpine tarns and then back into the montane forest.

DAY 2: Ridge Lake to Lemah Creek.
Today’s hike is brought to you by the word “wow.” Today’s section was a truly incredible trail. Already the Alpine Lakes Wilderness outweighed my expectations.

Day 7: Powerline Corridor to Mirror Lake (13 miles)
Day 8: Mirror Lake to Snoqualmie Pass (8.3 miles) 
My last couple days on trail for Section I passed in a bit of a blur. There were a lot of ups and downs, dirt forest roads, clear-cuts, douglas firs, and the occasional stream crossing to keep it interesting.