August 3.
Oregon is flat. The first few miles out of Cascade Locks weren’t too bad, relatively flat and foresty but then of course we got into the big climb. Almost 3k gain in 4 miles. It was actually not that bad though. The grade was gentle and the switchbacks were long and far enough apart to not be too steep. It was also really cloudy and windy which meant not hot so it was much more manageable. Got some views of Cascade Locks and the river.
Made it to the top and then it got flat! I was flying down the trail. Big open foggy flat forest. There were a few ups and downs but it was easy to keep a steady almost 3 mile an hour pace. I made it down to a lake that was covered in berries.
At one point I stopped to get water and a bunch of little white preteen boys came up right next to my stuff which really annoyed me. I grumpily took my shit and went to a different part of the lake. I don’t know why that bothered me so much. Maybe it was the weird entitlement or lack of social fear that their being white boys bestows them. Either way, it bothered me.
Kept hiking through forest. Was a bit chilly but manageable. And there were no bugs! It was so nice. Climbed up a bit to some great views of Mt Hood. I saw it ages ago and now I’m so close to it. Tomorrow I’ll hike around it which is nuts.
Made it to the campsite after a long dry stretch. Had dinner before looking out at Mt Hood which was awesome. The red beans and rice I got at Food Fight is amazing and I wish I had gotten more of that instead of so much ramen. Oh well.
Plants Outside 