August 5

Distance: 24.2 miles | Ascent: 4700′ | Descent: 4060′

Mile marker: 636.6

Lunch; J – chicken parm (A+), A – biscuits and gravy (A)

Dinner: J – biscuits and gravy (A-), and cheese tomato shells (B-), A – Thanksgiving (B+)

Trying to recover from the prior night of poor sleep, we slept in until 6am. We had more of the burn zone to get through, but it was interspersed with some alpine wilderness and views of Mount Jefferson. Huckleberries continued to line the trail! We are getting better at grabbing an occasional berry while on the move. There were gorgeous views almost all day as we passed around the peak.

By evening, our feet were tender and ankles stiff from the rocky trail through the burn zone. We finally settled down to camp close to 8pm. We plan to get to the Big Lake Youth Camp tomorrow and hope to make it in time for their dinner (and get a shower, do laundry, etc.)