Oregon PCT 2016: Day 11

Beautiful morning for a hike!

I started Day 11 ready to make some major miles. I told the others I wanted to see how fast I could go and took off at a brisk pace. My goal was to arrive at Odell Lake by noon, a big hike.

Oldenburg Lake

Time for a little road walking!

It was easy hiking all of the way to Crescent Lake. Here, the trail came upon a road and stopped. This was a problem because the road was not supposed to be there... we were counting on solid trail. Also, I had the only map of the area that showed this trail. I sat down and figured out where we were going as the others caught up with me. I didn't want them wandering around without a map looking for the next bit of trail! Eventually, they arrived and I told them of my route as we continued together.

Crescent lake looking east

Whitefish horse camp

On the NW edge of the lake, we arrived at a horse campground where the trail continued under a new name. Here, we met a a nice guy who shared with us his knowledge of the area. Unfortunately, the next section of trail would also be covered with downed trees. Too bad! After a food break and tanking up on water, I said goodbye to the others and headed off to Odell Lake.

Wonderful helpful guy!

On the trail again! Last leg!

More downed trees

Mosquito breeding ground

As I went on my way, I found the warnings about trees were true! I encountered downed trees very regularly. I also found there were a lot of mosquitoes... everywhere... It made for a very difficult hike. Every time I stopped for a moment I would be surrounded by a cloud of mosquitoes... and mountain mosquitoes are vicious!

Diamond peak view lake... soooooo many mosquitoes!

Lots more downed trees

Goodbye, wilderness!

The mosquitoes made for a pretty fast hike and I arrive at at Shelter Cove Resort in the early afternoon. I was a bit ahead of my friends and took my time getting settled. As the day drew on, I became a little concerned that they had not yet arrived. I was most concerned about the store closing though, as they would be upset if they arrived and couldn't buy any food. As the closing time of the resort store approached, I made an executive decision and ordered a pizza to be finished as they closed. It turned out perfectly! My three hiking companions arrived minutes before closing and we all sat around with pizza and beers cheering our success. There were other southbound hikers with stories of snowy trail to the north. I gave some of them food from my supply box since I was getting off the trail.

Yaay! I made it!

I feel so welcome!

Shelter Cove General Store

After eating, the four of us set up camp, to showers, and shared a laundry machine. It was wonderful to feel clean after some hot and sweaty days of hiking. I was able to get reception from the docks on the lake and had a nice chat with Laura letting her know I was on my way home. The stories of snow to the north confirmed my fears: I would never make my 20-day window. It really was a good plan to get off at this stop where a ride could take me home and I could rest a little before helping at church camp.

Sunset on Odell Lake

It was a beautiful night to end the hike! I was sad to be leaving the trail without finishing my goal but I ended up returning to finish in a couple weeks!