For the last 250 miles of PCT, hikers who have made it this far are again taken back to the mountains for a spectacular treat!
From Snoqualmie Pass, the Pacific Crest Trail climbs directly to the crest-top crags and boldly traverses among them. The narrow ledges we scrambled over would make my mother-in-law, Deb, queasy. We had views of Chikamin Peak, Leman mountain, Chair Peak, Snoqualmie Mountain, Red Mountain, and Mount Rainier as we straggled the divide. We weaved through hemlocks clinging to the mountain sides, and hundreds of red, purple and yellow mushrooms.
Fortunately, the large mountains help dissipate the late summer storms and we remained blessedly dry in the section, albeit, somewhat cold with average temps in the 40’s.
We saw a bear from a distance and were yelled at by lots of “fur-ocious” pika!
Perhaps what we enjoyed most about this section was spending some of our last days with fellow hikers we have met along the trail. Talking with our trail worn friends, there is a range of emotions. Some hikers are “hiked out” and feel ready to return to the real world, other hikers get blurry eyed when you mention the approach of the northern terminus and the end of this grand adventure. Still others are in denial and say they will just keep walking to Alaska. A few are already planning their next thruhike.
Many admit to being surprised that they did not have enough time to think over life choices to come up with new big ideas for their future. Honestly, it is challenging to get into deep thought on trail, you have to remain present and aware of your surroundings given the uneven terrain. You’re also constantly planning your next water source, taking inventory of your gear, assessing where to camp or take a bathroom break.
We’ve been exchanging contact info with fellow hikers to keep in touch post trail, but all of us know that we will never be the same. We’ll never be able relate to one another as we do now. Never again connected by this common physical goal.
Kyle and I are ready to return to our “regular” lives. We miss family (especially our 2-year old niece Rae) and friends. I personally miss my job helping patients manage their cardiac diseases. But I will miss trail terribly. I am sad to know I won’t get to spend all day with my partner. It’s wonderful eating every meal together, and following in each other’s footsteps, leading each other mile by mile on this adventure. I love overcoming challenges with Kyle and experiencing all that the PCT has thrown at us. We’ve grown closer on trail which perhaps has been the greatest gift of being out here. For now, we are savoring every step we have left on trail.
Next stop Stehekin, WA. It is our last town before crossing into Canada.
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