Day 147, September 11: Mile 2512 to 2533
Start: Mile 2512.3
End: Dolly Vista Trail Camp - Mile 2532.5
Miles: 20.2
Ascent: 6076 | Descent: 4426
My heart is swirling with emotions. I think I have decided for sure that I will end my hike at Stehekin, just 40 miles ahead of where I’m currently camped. I could potentially end it at Rainy Pass, another 19 miles past Stehekin, but if I leave from the latter, I can take a ferry across Lake Chelan to get back to civilization. And, seeing Stehekin was one of the things I was looking forward to about the PCT, so I feel like I’ll have accomplished something once I see it. And another reason- I’m tired of hiking in smoke, I don’t want to get sick from it, and I would prefer to hike these miles another time when I can actually see the views.
So I think it is pretty much decided, though I could change my mind once I get there. We will see. My friends are planning to hike an alternate route to the border, which will basically take them out far east around the fires. That option includes a long road walk, potentially undefined trails and no monument at the border. I know that this option is not for me.
Anyways, today was a fun day. The smoke came back and was thick for most of the day. In the morning, there was a supposedly scary river crossing only a mile after camp. I scoped out options to cross and thought one log would do, but it would be nervewracking and I would potentially get wet, so I wanted to wait for my friends in case I fell in the raging rapids. I was definitely feeling freaked out about the whole thing. However, when they got there, they easily crossed at a lower, smaller log. I followed suit and crossed just fine… oops.
We had a long climb after the river, and eventually we convened at the top of a pass overlooking Glacier Peak and the surrounding mountains. It was beautiful, though smoky. After breaking for a bit, we continued on and took another break at Mica Lake. It was a stunningly beautiful, clear lake with bright blue waters near the shoreline. Normally I avoid jumping into lakes because I don’t want to be cold and wet, but I was convinced by my friends and we all took turns jumping into the cold waters. It was refreshing and fun.
After swimming and lunch, we had a long descent before yet another long climb. I powered on, wanting to get to camp before it got too late. I ended up beating everyone to the top of the climb, which almost never happens. I was shocked at myself. Yay Dilly!
We made it to camp and the spots for our tents were not great, but we made do. We had picked the campsite because it supposedly had great views, which were all but completely obscured by the smoke, lol. We still enjoyed dinner together and I fell asleep by 9.