July 9

Distance today: 16.2 miles

Mile marker: 131.5

Thinking we’d beat the heat with an early start, we woke at 5:30. Ha! But the long day was certainly needed.

The trail leading away from camp started a bit cruisey, then we came across some blowndowns. Then there was the bushwacking. Then there was the rain.

We had been enjoying pleasant sunny albeit warm weather since we started. Most days were spent looking for the next stream crossing to grab some cool water or planning our climbs to avoid the midday heat. Today we got the first taste of real Pacific Northwest weather.

The morning clouds turned to mist. We finished our climb a little wet and cold. We stopped for a coffee break to lift the spirits and the clouds parted briefly for our hop across the mountain meadow.

But soon after, the rain picked up. And we descended into the valley towards Milk Creek in the rain. This section of trail has a reputation for being overgrown and washed out, but it was absolutely brutal in the rain. Each new bush brush replaced the water soaking our clothes with colder water. Each broad leaf maple branch caused a shower of water over us. And the trail itself was less a trail and more a suggestion. It was narrow in places, missing in others. We were helping each other by pointing out where the footing seemed to vanish beneath the flora. And the occasional blowdown kept things spicy, too! We were drenched from head to toe, having the most type 2 fun.

Out of nowhere, the bridge over the river appeared. And we thought there would be respite on the otherside. But more of the same. And this time uphill. The raspberry bushes scratched as we plowed through. We only got like three berries each – our pain went unrewarded.

But after literal hours of wading through the bushes, the trail opened up and we powered through to the campsite. Still in the rain.

The novelty of the rain and going through the bushes wore off midway through the day. We didn’t stop for lunch, only eating what was in our pockets from morning.

Today might’ve been the toughest day, both physically and mentally so far. Although, tomorrow morning will probably be far more challenging: waking up in 40° weather and putting on our still soaked clothes to trudge up the hill, probably in more rain…. But that’s tomorrow’s problem. Tonight we’ll sleep well and hope for a break in the weather, at least while we pack up our tent.