Start: 0800 - Pear Lake
End: 1900 - Chuck River tributary
Miles (today): 23
Miles (cumulative): 2532 (2282 PCT, 175 alternate, 75 off)
What a glorious day to be hiking! The weather was so warm I hiked in my tank top and shorts, soaking up the sun and loving it. The scenery was breathtaking, which helped when the trail became difficult. It was such a nice day that I really hope the forecast of rain tomorrow is wrong.
views of Pear Lake from our campsite
Besides Nick, I didn't bump into a thru hiker all day ( I did see three of them ahead of me just before I stopped for lunch but never caught up to them). I chatted with two ladies (mother and daughter) doing a 3 day trip, I was greeted at the top of Red Pass by a nice woman (it was a long climb to get there), and about 0.5 miles away from our planned campsite I chatted with a guy who is doing a 120 mile backpacking trip.
if you look closely at the trail you'll see three hikers in the distance
Lunch was my favorite part of the day - I stopped at this beautiful little stream where I picked a ton of crackberries and ate them with my Cheerios. I sat on a rock next to the water, looked out at the beautiful view, and just took in the moment. I really need to take in the moment more out here!
We celebrated 5 months on the trail by hitting the 2500 PCT milestone. :) We are so close yet so far!!
2500 PCT miles!!!!
Tonight I get to fall asleep to the sound of a babbling creak - it's so soothing! We are camped with a good view of Glacier Peak and I hope I get to see it again in the morning (in other words, I hope it's not raining).
Glacier Peak as the sun sets
Along the trail:
this was so much nicer than squatting, although somehow it felt more awkward
entering Glacier Peak wilderness with Glacier Peak peeking over the hill
on the way to Red Pass
glacier peak from the top of Red Pass
taken towards the top of Red Pass - I loved the clouds!