July 18

Distance today: 20.3 miles

Mile marker: 279.8

We met SOOOO many people on the trail today! Probably over 200.

We left the ski lifts at Snoqualmie Pass behind after checking out of our hotel. That was really the only climb of the day and not nearly as steep as leaving Stevens Pass. The trail was in pretty good shape, only a few rocky sections to get through. About four miles in, we saw a sign and markers for a 100-mile ultramarathon trail running race happening today along the PCT. We didn’t think much of it and didn’t bother taking a picture of that sign. Jason did have the realization that if the trail was used for trail running, it must be extra cruisey.

The views in the section aren’t as dramatic as before, but they offered their own beauty. We stopped at a lake just shy of 10 miles in for lunch. Jason had tomato pasta surprise (B-) and Alex had garlic mushroom orzo (B+). Despite being one of the boggiest, marshiest places we’ve stopped at, the mosquitoes were extinct. There were, however, dragonflies buzzing all about. Maybe dragonflies are the main predators of mosquitoes in these lands. We also have two types of bug spray we received while at Snoqualmie Pass: a DEET solution and Picaridin.

Shortly after lunch, we stumbled across about 15 people setting up some tents and tables on the side of the trail. Turns out this was an aid station for the ultramarathon and they were expecting the first runners in about an hour, and 180 in total. Fortunately, they were running towards us, giving us heads up to jump out of the way.

Keeping an eye out for oncoming runners, we went searching for the next stream to collect water. The first runner passed just before we reached the stream.  The mosquitoes were vicious. We tested the picaridin and BOOM! mosquitoes were instantly repelled. A wonderful, life-changing new tool at our disposal.

As we continued, we saw more runners. First spaced out, then bunched together, then one every few minutes. We should’ve counted. One unlucky hiker was hiking towards us and he must’ve felt chased all day and annoyed at having to constantly be looking over his shoulder. He was the first to tell us about the party over the hill. Then the runners started telling us about the party. One even told us to get pizza.

We heard it before we saw it: cheering and clapping and music from a dirt road intersecting the trail. This aid station was truly a party. We were even cheered when walking through with our packs. I’m sure we could’ve snagged some food, but we were heavy from our resupply and it really wasn’t meant for us.

As we kept walking, we got to tell the runners about the party and the pizza. Once we finally reached our campsite, we passed nearly every runner in the race. Only 4-5 trickled passed as we set up camp. It made today very interesting and livened the trail. Two runners apologized for the inconvenience this might be causing (we assured them we were totally enjoying the action and company), and the runner in second place even tried to yield to us! We’re not the ones being timed! 

It was fascinating and fortunate that we crossed this exact section of trail during the 6ish hours that the ultramarathon crossed it.

For dinner, Jason had broccoli mac n cheese (A-) and Alex had chili and rice (C).