July 27

Distance: 22.0 miles | Ascent: 2550′ | Descent: 3260′

Mile marker: 459.6

Lunch: J – mac n cheese with sausage TVP (B), A – rice and beans (A)

Dinner: J – spaghetti (A-) and mac n cheese with sausage TVP (B-), A – mac n cheese surprise (B-)

Easy day. Hit snooze until 5:40. Hit the trail at 7 because Jason had to do some adjustments to his pack. Overnight, a cold front came in, covering our tent with condensation. The cooler weather kept the mosquitoes at bay.

Our first climb was easy and felt nice to warm up in the relatively colder morning. We cruised fairly mindlessly for the first six miles where we rested by a lake. There was some type of waterfowl swimming, but it was tough to make them out. Maybe goldeneyes or juvenile mergansers?

Throughout the morning, we crossed paths with many northbound hikers. As they’re closing in on their final weeks, they’re pretty determined and not too conversational. Can’t blame them. I’m sure we’ll be the same way if our legs let us walk that far.

We stopped for lunch at Blue Lake and met a group of backpackers who were on their first trip ever. They were very impressed by us, but compared to the nobos, we’ve barely just begun.

After lunch was right through huckleberry country, with occasional bonus thimble berries! We stopped and snacked on several bushes as we mosied on by. Our slowest miles all day.

The terrain was very easy and pretty similar all day. We did get views of Mount Adams and Mount Saint Helens, then a view of Mount Hood once we crested to the otherside. Mount Adams looks small again and Mount Hood looks huge.

After a few more miles, a few more handfuls of huckleberries, and another break where we briefly met a dog named Huckleberry, we made it to camp. Long day, but it was because we took our time, mosied along the trail, and didn’t feel rushed. Tomorrow will have a bit more climbing.