This was the first stretch for Mike to full pack with Cindy and me. Two full days greeted us, featuring spectacular scenery, tough trail conditions and capped by a good bit of trio magic.
We were up in high country, starting with a skirt around Three Fingered Jack and a long approach to the ever looming Mt. Jefferson. At one point we joked that we must be in the Twilight Zone, as we would hike around a similar looking knoll to an open view of the towering stratovolcano, without it looking much closer. Only once we got to Jefferson Park did we see the mountain in its full majesty, though obscured somewhat by the haze of recent fires.
Hiking away from Mt. Jefferson on its north slopes we encountered large snowfields that made Cindy a bit nervous. I held her hand as we glissaded down the slopes side by side, with Mike behind us taking over my role as paparazzi. Rocky trail, steep ascents, creek fords and a two mile stretch of constant blowdowns added to the challenging trail conditions. At one point we only managed about 7.5 miles in five hours, as the tough trail conditions made for some tentative hiking by Cindy.
If ever there was a time when we could have benefited from a little trail magic it was after the descent off of Jefferson. Sure enough, at a road crossing 6 miles from the end of the day we first spotted Charissa sitting in a chair, then trail angel Wendy looking to give us melon, lemonade and beer. She was soon joined by her husband “Lightning” Rod, who had been hiking the PCT this year until sidelined by plantar fasciitis.
The trail magic continued when we reached our final destination of Olallie Lake. Brenda and Daniel had rented a cabin by the shore and invited PCT hikers coming by to join them. Our party of four joined Trail Dancer, Solitude, Anchor, Brunch and Salsa to a treat of chips, hot dogs and soda. Us old-timers had to get to bed at a reasonable time, but Charissa did not get back to our camp until 3:15 am (no, I’m not a concerned Dad, just a light sleeper).
My knees were aching that night from over 16,000 feet of elevation change in two days, but all together they were full days worth the cost.
