Days 139 - 143
Mile 2476.0 - 2585.0
Stevens Pass/ the Dinsmores - Bridgecreek campground
Day 139: Echos in the Dark
Even though it was the last day of summer, it really started to look like fall. We woke up to condensation on our tent and coastal fog. We went to breakfast at the store where we met Collector. He had just finished his thru hike and was coming back to the Dinsmores to get something he left behind. After one of the best breakfasts we have had on trail, he gave us a ride back to Stevens pass. We had service on the trail so we were able to post the blog and make calls to warn our parents that we would not have any service until we finish and are in Canada. It was cold and smoky all day and we were in our usual after town slump.
At one point I heard Nate cry out in surprise and happiness and I turned around to see him on the ground looking at garnets in a rock.
We stayed there for about fifteen minutes while he inspected all the rocks in the area and we had a lot of fun. When we looked up we found that a fog had moved in just below us.
We walked right into it and decided to go to sleep early because everything was getting wet and cold. We camped by pear lake which had one of the coolest echos I have ever heard.
Day 140: Ghost Mountain
I feel like today was one of the most beautiful days in Washington...if only we had been able to see it. We woke up in fog and it lingered for the whole day.
The fog cleared for a few minutes and we were amazed by what we saw. It was so beautiful!
Visibility was pretty bad all day so we couldn't see much more than this. It didn't actually rain but the fog would condense on the trees and plants then the wind would blow all of the water on to us so we got pretty wet. It was really cool to see the wind blow the fog clouds down the mountain. It looked like a slow waterfall.
Even though we could barely see the trail at times we could tell we did a lot of ridge walking. I have to admit it was a little frightening to walk out onto a section of trail having no idea how long it will be or if you will be able to find a spot to sleep that night in dense fog. We passed mile 2500!
Around dusk when we were looking for a spot to camp an owl started following us. It would swoop down an almost grab Nates head then land on a branch right in front of us then follow us with its head till we passed. This continued for about 5 minutes and we were really confused with its curiosity. We decided to keep walking in case the owl had a nest in the area. When we finally found a spot to sleep I was so cold that I went to bed without eating. Nate somehow always has the willpower to cook dinner though and sat outside the tent happily stirring and perfecting his Mac and cheese.
Day 141:Glacier Peak
Today was almost a polar opposite of yesterday. It was calm, warm, and dry. However, we got frustrated for different reasons. I woke up with a headache, the trail was very overgrown today and steep. We enjoyed the steep climbs for the most part but the trail was very overgrown and trees were downed everywhere. Not only was the trail itself steep but it dropped off on both sides and a few times, while we were pushing through trees and brush, we slid down the hill. A few hours and some twisted ankles later we found an open spot to lay our stuff out to dry from the day before.
The last 2 miles of the day consisted of a really awesome exposed, moonlit walk after a 3000 ft. climb.
We are going to bed very tired and ready to sleep.
Day 142: Tminus 100 miles
We awoke in the night to animals crawling on our tent. They never chewed holes in the tent but they kept us up all night. We had one of the best sunrises yet.
When we reached the suiattle river crossing, we were unsure if we should take the old log crossing or the newly built bridge crossing. Someone had written on the trail junction that there was no log crossing anymore so we took the longer, bridge route. The trail was maintained nicely and was gentle so we made good time. Later we found out that the log was still there and were a little disappointed. After that the trail was gentle and pretty. We walked past colored forests and canyons with jagged cliffs on either side.
We passed some of the largest trees we have seen on this hike.
We have less than 100 miles to go till Canada and that really started to sink in today. We could almost smell Canada. We are really just trying to savor the last few days of our journey and it is going by so fast.
Day 143: The Best Bakery Ever
We were awake by 5:00 and hiking by 6:10 to try and catch the 9:00 bus to Stehekin. We had to walk with headlamps for a few minutes but after that we cruised and got to the bus stop with 15 minutes to spare. We entered north cascades national park.
The bus stopped at the Stehekin bakery and it was by far the best food I have had on trail. We bought a loaf of bread, cinnamon rolls, cookies, and muffins. My cookies were gone before the bus even got to the beautiful lake town.
There is no way to reach Stehekin other than hiking in to a bus stop or taking a 4 hour boat ride from Chelan. There is no car access. We spent the greater part of the day here resupplying and just enjoying the last town stop with other hikers. We took an afternoon bus out and hiked 5 miles to a designated camp spot in north cascades national park. It was nice to be able to sit around with other hikers before dark and contemplate how the return to society will be. I went to bed dreaming of eating cinnamon rolls.
-Be Free
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