July 26.
The extra 5 last night made today an easy day which was great because today was Goat Rocks and Knife’s Edge.
Set my alarm for 530 but didn’t get up until 630 again which means I didn’t leave camp until 730 which is still earlier than usual but later than I want. Had no problems digging a cat hole this time.
Salty and Potter showed up right as I was heading out and I hiked with them for a bit. At the top of the pass Amanda and Frank caught up. Though they all hiked like 3 miles beneath me, they all made it up in the time it took me to get ready. I’m trying to let go of my ego and not make this all a competition but I really need to get my shit together quicker in the morning.
We hiked up towards Goat Rocks and down a forest. Amanda and Frank stopped at the pass to let Frank take a break. I split from them to go to Hidden Spring, the campsite I was going to try to make it to the night before but didn’t to get to. It was about .3 of a mile off trail down into a little established campsite and stock camp. There were full sized propane canisters on the trail which I’m guessing were packed in with mules. The little spring was awesome, nice cool earth water though getting to it was a little hard since it was muddy and the mud nearly swallowed my shoes.
Entered Goat Rocks proper, emerging from a forest and up to some amazing climbs with a little ice melt waterfall and some steep talus switchbacks. Had some tremendous views of Mt Tahoma. There were such beautiful colorful wildflowers all over and these long sweeping treed Valleys. It was every positive superlative I can think off.
I caught up to Salty and Potter. Potter was taking pictures of her little pots. Potter is named Potter because she carries around little clay pots she made that she takes pictures of in scenic spots. She then makes calendars of the pictures and sells them. She also gives the little pots away to trail angels she meets. Salty is named salty because he was a marine but also because he is apparently a salty sweater and once had a salty ass. Ha.
Salty and Potter took off and I sat around on this little stream drying my stuff out which got some condensation from the night before and enjoying the views. Amanda and Frank the adventure pup showed up after a few minutes and I got to talking to Amanda.
Amanda it turns out is fucking rad. She not only has my dream adventure dog but she’s also a vegan and a climber and lives in a van. She basically has my dream life. We talked for a bit about being vegan on trail, vegan snacks, vegan rants, and about climbing. I ended up hanging out with her at that little creek for a few hours, not really caring about miles and just enjoying talking to her and enjoying the breezy bug free views. So stoked to meet another vegan especially one with a dog.
About Frank the adventure pup: he is a well seasoned adventure dog with lots of miles in his paws and quite a few Summits apparently so no worries about him handling the hike. Amanda also bases her entire hike around him, carrying extra food and water for him and taking plenty of breaks for him. Although I think she enjoys the breaks as much as he does.
Through the course of our talk I also named her Naps because of all the naps she takes during the day both for her and for frank. Frank’s trail name is dank because he’s Frank the Dog so together they are dank naps. Proud to say that the first trail name I’ve given someone.
Eventually I set off though I was kind of sad to leave them both. We both planned to camp at the Nannie Ridge trail site so I might see her again tonight. She’s not here as of this writing.
A nobo hiker told naps that the climb up Goat Rocks was the last big climb until Seiad Valley in northern California which is amazing to think about. I only have 130 or so miles left in Washington then flat forested Oregon!
Another short but steep climb up and I was on the knife’s edge. Holy shit the Knife’s Edge is fucking cool. It’s a long windy up and down ridge walk on talus with amazing views of Mt Tahoma on one side and the valley below. It is also sketchy as fuck. The ground constantly feels like it’s shifting and sliding and there were two snowy patches that were a little dicey. I did slip and fall of my side but thankfully it was a short safe fall. As safe as a fall a thousand feet up on a 45 degree snow covered rocky ridge can be anyway.
It was slow going on the talus ridge but goddamn it was gorgeous. Absolutely my favorite section of the trail so far. Lots of type 2 fun hiking it though.
Finally got over and went down into a buggy meadow with so many wildflowers in big fields. Got some great views of Mt Adams in the distance too. Seems like Mt Tahoma is in the back mirror now but I’ll be at the base of Mt Adams in 1.5 days, right before heading I to Trout Lake.
The rest of climb was also beautiful. After days of buggy sameness it was nice to have such drastic scenery changes. From valley forest to talus ridges to open meadows to waterfall laden hill climbs.
Hiked over two forks of the Cispus River, the first one of which had an awesome waterfall I got water from. Ate dinner at the top of Cispus Pass where the wind was blowing the bugs away.
Made it to camp at Nannie Ridge around 730 which is pretty early for me. Had actually thought about going a few more miles but since Salty, Potter, Naps, and Frank were gonna camp here, decided to make it an easy day. Early on in the day my left leg was a little stiff, mostly from the early downhill, so it’s probably best not to push it anyway.
Got some water and cleaned my legs at the little Sheep Lake. Which is not the same Sheep Lake I camped at a few nights ago. Lots of overnight backpackers and family. Decided not to camp right next to water and the family there. They seemed nice enough but they had loud kids I’m not into.
Ate dinner way early which was a good call since this tensite is buggy af too though it wasn’t as bad as Pipe Lake. Nothing will ever be as bad as Pipe Lake.
A nobo section hiker at white pass said the bugs are bad from Cispus Pass to Walupt Lake. I am currently right in that range. I’ll try to rush out tomorrow morning and get past Walupt as early as possible.
My left thigh got buuuurned. Guess I didn’t add enough sunscreen there. First sunburn this whole time. Bummer.
Got to trim my fingernails which I really needed. The simple things in life now are the greatest. Clean fingernails. A breezy day. Cool water. Nice talks with fellow hikers and their dogs. Long walks through flowery meadows. God I love all of this so much.
Plants Outside 