PCT Day 102

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PCT Day 102, 22 August 2022 (Monday)

"Top Ten To Bottom Ten"

Start Location:	Wilderness Campsite	Destination:	Wilderness Campsite
PCT Miles Day 102:	23.4	Cum PCT Miles:	1,883.6
Non-PCT Miles Day 102:	1.0	Cum All Miles:	1993.0
PCT Miles Remaining:	769.2
Elevation Gain Day 102:	6,042	Cum Elevation Gain:	331,689

 
Today was so frustrating.  There was so much great scenery, this part of trail should be one of the top 10 sections on the PCT.  But because of all the serious deficiencies in the trail itself, this section, in my opinion, is in the bottom 10.

I don’t understand what is going on with the PCT in Washington. I mean, it’s like the trail in many spots has been totally abandoned.  About half the trail today was actually good to OK.  But the other half was just horrendously bad.  It’s so bad, that parts of it are just plain old hazardous, and even dangerous.  I can’t even count how many times today one of my eyes almost got taken out by overgrown vegetation.  I didn’t realize that safety goggles should be on the packing list of a PCT Hiker.

The steepness of this trail makes it inherently hard.  However, the absolute neglect of the trail just magnifies the difficulty.  But worse, it makes it infuriating and demoralizing just to try to hike it.  As I’ve said before about Washington, this is not backpacking, this is a jungle expedition.  It’s really too bad that such a stunningly scenic area is leaving visitors with such strong negative feelings instead of positive feelings.  Compare this to the Southern Sierra Nevada where the trail does not detract from the scenery.

On the plus side, I was able to dry out all my sleeping gear during a long break in the sun.  So, at least everything will be dry for one day.  And today also had what was probably the most difficult water crossing of the hike yet at Kennedy Creek.  This was one water crossing you had to take seriously.

White Chuck River

More White Chuck River

Broken bridge over Baekos Creek, still good enough to cross

The challenging Kennedy Creek crossing

My drying and snack stop, at least I had a nice view while I waited for my sleeping gear to dry out

Pumice Creek

Getting close to Glacier Peak

Just one example of the dozens and dozens of obstacles to get by on this trail

Are the views worth the effort?

Fire Creek

Glacier Peak Wilderness panorama

More Glacier Peak Wilderness

Mica Lake

Backside of Glacier Peak

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