PCT Day 103

 <--PREVIOUS                                                                                                            NEXT--> 

PCT Day 103, 23 August 2022 (Tuesday)

"You Want To Get To Canada, You Have To Come Through Me First"

Start Location:	Wilderness Campsite	Destination:	Wilderness Campsite
PCT Miles Day 103:	23.6	Cum PCT Miles:	1,907.2
Non-PCT Miles Day 103:	0.3	Cum All Miles:	2016.9
PCT Miles Remaining:	745.6
Elevation Gain Day 103:	4,806	Cum Elevation Gain:	336,495

 

Today was so Washington.  The first 10 miles were a continuation of yesterdays brutal trail.  These should have been fast miles, but they were slow miles due to the trail conditions.  My per mile pace, if the trail had been good, would’ve been under 20 minutes per mile, instead it was just under 30.

But then things changed, they actually got better.  The trail got wider, there was no overgrowth, there were less obstacles, it was actually good hiking.  But, this being Washington, the good times never last.

For the first time in almost three weeks, there was real rain from an afternoon thunderstorm.  And, just because Washington likes to be a jerk, the trail got narrower and the overgrowth came back.  So, even after the rain stopped, you continued to get wet from all the water on the vegetation that you were brushing up against.  Washington is never satisfied with one level of misery, it loves to layer it on.

My pants, shoes, socks, and feet were soaking wet by the time I stopped to camp.  It was pretty miserable.  There was no point putting on rain pants, because they would simply have gotten shredded by all the obstacles and overgrown vegetation.  Good thing, though, I stopped in the middle of the day to dry all my sleeping gear out.  So, everything I sleep in was at least dry to start the evening.  I know everything is going to be soaking wet again in the morning from the condensation, and I will have to dry it out again tomorrow afternoon.

The guy I camped next to is a native of Washington, and has hiked in Washington for decades.  He said the PCT in Washington is the worst he’s ever seen.  In fact, he apologizes to all PCT hikers he meets for the condition of the trail, especially the internationals, because of all the money they spend to be here.  He also brought up a good point.  He said that if they don’t do anything soon, the trail will be unhikeable in a year or two.  The vegetation will be so thickly overgrown, it will simply be impassible.

If misery is humorous, than the last three weeks should have been hilarious.



A great morning view of Glacier Peak



Just one of the dozens of similar glacier fed streams to cross this morning



This is not even single track trail, it is half-track trail. Because the trail is in a U-shaped channel, you can barely even move one foot in front of the other.



This is not ideal, but more acceptable



Seriously?



Fancy bridge over the Suiattle River



And it's a good thing there's a bridge over Suiattle River as it would be very dangerous to cross



Miners Creek



Am I daydreaming, or is this trail in Washington? Guess I'm not daydreaming, there is another obstacle ahead.



Washington trail at its finest

 <--PREVIOUS                                                                                                            NEXT-->