August 4.
Got a nasty bug bite setting up my tent so I took a benedryl which made me kinda groggy in the morning. I set my alarm for 5 but didn’t get up until 7, much later than I wanted. Finally got on the trail around 830 about 2 hours later than I wanted.
Hiked down a bit before climbing up. And up. Decided to do the Romona falls alternate which lead to a beautiful waterfall I had lunch at. It was gorgeous though crowded with day hikers. They are allowed to share the pretty things too I guess.
Hiked down to a river valley and then back up. More long climbs but amazing views of Mt Hood on the way. Then back down and back up for over 5k of elevation gain.
Finally made it to Timberline Lodge. I got my resupply and charged my phone. Finally got my leukotape and new gaiters. They are very flamboyant and flowery and I’m kinda into them.
I met Sassafras, a hiker I had seen at white pass and was a part of the “royal family”, a group of 5 or so hikers ahead of me. She apparently had some falling out with her trail family and was hiking alone. We seem to be around the same pace so maybe we’ll hike together though I’m starting to do better with hiking alone. Helps to have audio books and podcasts and keep running into day hikers and nobos.
Timberline was okay. Fancy but kinda cheesy? Slightly tacky. Maybe it was the fact that it was the weekend and there was a wedding going on and a bunch of day hikers were around. There were some overpriced vegan options I skipped I lieu of all my ramen.
Back on the trail there was a big tent city with a bunch of other campers, mostly nobos or overnight backpackers. I think maybe Lucas is also here. Kinda looks like his tent.
There’s a wedding going on and theyre playing all the wedding cliche karaoke songs. The people around me are also kinda loud af. Glad I bought earplugs in Cascade locks.
Tomorrow is a flat day with only 2k of elevation gain over 35 or so miles. The day after will be much tougher but tomorrow should be a 30+ day finally. We’ll see.
Plants Outside 