The landscape in this section started in subalpine parkland, weaving in and out of the boundaries of Mount Rainier National Park and then transitioned into fir and hemlock forest with sections of clear cut from logging.
What a wet and completely soggy section! Washington graced us with fog and rain for four of the five days we were on trail. It was as if we were walking through clouds and mist with temps in the 30-50’s. Mount Rainier, Mount Adam’s and Mount St. Helen we’re hidden from view in the low hanging heavy fog.
On trail we use multiple methods to stay “dry” and warm in the rain. Kyle and I use ULA backpacks made of an Ultra 400x and 200x material (15x stronger than steel by weight, twice as abrasion resistant as standard 420D nylon, and waterproof to 200 psi). Inside our packs we have pack liners, heavy duty plastic bags provide a second layer of water resistance. Finally, all of our clothing, puffy jacks and sleeping bags are inside water proof ultra light dynema bags. Keeping your warm layers and sleeping items dry is the key to avoiding hypothermia in the back country.
When it’s raining, Kyle and I use Montbell raincoats and Outdoor Research rainpants. I also have wool gloves which get wet but stay warm in the rain.
Setting up the tent and taking it down in the dark when it is raining can be a challenge, but it’s even more challenging to put on wet clothing, socks and shoes before facing another day of rain!
Fortunately, we did fine little pockets of sunshine and a warming cabin (Mike Urich public use cabin). To dry out and warm up each day so we were not completely soggy after the 3-day rain fest!
We did have an issue with our tent’s zippier which lead towards some interesting creature encounters. We found evidence of a mouse in our tent the first night of trail and a large dead brown spider the second night on trail! Ekk! Further, Instead of an alarm clock, we were awoken each morning around 4am to the sound of elk bugling, they however did not elect to jump into our tent as the other creatures did.
On 9/13, I celebrated my 33rd birthday with cards from family/friends, and frosted cookies. My cousin Julie and her husband Mike also hiked in 14 miles to meet us for the night at Stirrup Lake with Champagne! This was the only sunny day we had on trail this section, and the warming rays were an exceptional birthday treat!
At Snoqualmie Summit Inn, we did do a mini “pancake challenge” in which Kyle ate 5 pancakes, 2 eggs, hash browns and bacon with room to spare!
Next stop Stevens Pass!
