Oregon PCT 2016: Day 21

Goodbye, Elk Lake!

For me, day 21was an epic day of hiking but there are fewer pictures than other days. That is for 2 reasons. First, there really was not as much to see as on many other days. Second, I was hiking a lot of miles so I didn't stop as often to take pictures.

Marathon Tent

I got off to a slow start, leaving at about 7 in the morning. As I left the resort, I saw a marathon going on and thought to myself, "I will go that far today!" Once I got on the PCT, I pushed hard for high miles. One things that helped: Mosquitoes! The warnings were true and the farther I hiked the more mosquitoes crowded around me.

Back on the PCT!

Nice cruising trail!

I stopped for lunch by a pond, choosing to rest in the sun to avoid mosquitoes. I ate as much as possible, trying to fuel myself for my goal.

Lots of lakes

One of a few open areas

There were ponds everywhere. I also ran into my fair share of hikers. A couple warned me of a bear ahead but it was long gone before I got anywhere near it!

Mosquito pond. Yuck!

Wind and snow probably killed these trees!

The Sisters, Broken Top, and Bachelor through the trees

I also spent hours hiking through wide open burnt areas. They were hot but it was also nice to see well and feel a breeze and be free of most mosquitoes. 

It was hot out there!

Last mountain of my hike!

Once I passed the burnt areas, I saw quite a few inviting lakes. But I wanted to pass 40 miles. In fact, by the mid-afternoon, I had finished a good 30 miles and was aiming to finish the rest of Oregon. I sent Laura some text messages and even called her a couple hours from my destination. She said she would come pick me up!

Rosary lakes and Odell lake!

So I literally ran down from Maiden peak past the Rosary lakes as the sun set. I wanted to get to Willamette pass quickly to avoid a long hike in the dark. I still did hike for the last couple miles in the dark. There was a cooler full of drinks at the trail head and I drank an orange soda and relaxed while my ride arrived. I had hiked 46 miles and finished the entire Oregon section of the Pacific Crest Trail!

Last stop for water!

Laura was sweet enough to come and pick me up even though she had a performance the next day. So I, still a little wired from my hike, drove home while she tried to rest in the passenger seat. I was so thankful for her support and her willingness to pick me up in the middle of nowhere during her busy schedule! I am a very lucky man for many reasons. I hope that you have enjoyed the account of my hiking across Oregon and that you try something you have always wanted to do. The risk of failure is totally worth it!