August 6.
My longest day yet. I’ve realized Oregon is not flat but the grade on climbs is much easier (mostly) and the elevation is spread out over many more miles. Today I climbed around 6k but over 32 miles which isn’t that bad really. Or maybe I finally have my hiker legs now.
Started at the power lines which were still buzzing. They didn’t really bother me though and I got a good night’s sleep. I made it down to the river I was supposed to make it to the night before and got water. Hiked a lot through forests and made it up to one last vista of Mt Hood. Goodbye Mt hood.
Made it to a little spring where I had lunch and rested for a bit.
Hiked more and got nice views of Mt Jefferson. Entered a lake area which had some bugs but it wasn’t as bad as Washington thank fuck. Lots of pretty little lakes all around.
I put on my music on shuffle and man that really helped cruise through the day. I forgot what great taste in music I have.
Passed the 600 mile mark. Although I forgot until 4 miles after so the marker I made is a lie.
At some point I decided to try to hike 34 miles and 39 the next day to make it to Big Lake Youth camp in 2 days instead of 2.5. Idk why I thought this was a good idea. So I powered through and made it to Ollalie Lake resort.
I originally wasn’t going to stop but by the time I got there I was real tired and wanted some extra snacks and Gatorade. Right before I got there I saw a sign that said there was trail magic there so I decided to check it out. Glad I did. I ran into Salty and Potter who had been there most of the day. It seems I wasn’t too far behind them. They had been there for hours, really enjoying the trail magic. There were two Mexican women, an employee and her mother who were making beans, rice, and tacos for hikers. It was amazing.
Also met two other sobos, Pidgin and someone else I’m not sure what his name was.
I ate a ton of beans and rice and tortillas and got a free Gatorade. The trail provides.
The two Mexican women were so nice. They were like all my tias and reminded me a lot of my mom. I got to speak Spanish with them for a bit which was also fun. Something I haven’t done in a while.
Salty, Potter and I hiked together for a bit. On our way out we saw Heaps! Salty recognized her and I asked her if she was Wilderbound from Instagram. Turns out she was and was rushing to the trail magic we had come from. She said to message her on IG so she could follow us back which im stoked about. I even got a kinda creepy picture of her walking away. Now if only I had been able to do the same with Darwin. Still no sign of Jupiter though.
We climbed up a big hill that went partly in and out of a burn area. Got some amazing views of the lakes we went past and of Mt Jefferson, the next big mountain that will come and go soon.
Made it to a tensite and pond where there were three other sobos, Poker Face,???, and??? Don’t remember the others two’s names. Watched a beautiful bright red sunset. Have cell service so have been able to text Mup and catch up with her. But now it’s time for bed.
Oh and that whole plan of making it to big lake tomorrow is out the window. No way I can do 39 miles tomorrow. Just gonna try to get as close as possible and have a nero in and out of there. Probably need to the rest after 5 long days.
Plants Outside 