DAY 88: Thurs.,Jul.24, 28.3 miles: TOTAL 1858.7

Some of the most beautiful hiking so far in Oregon has been today. The trail climbs to the rim of Crater Lake, reaching 7,650 feet in elevation and is approximately 8 miles along the rim. As soon as my dear wife gets here, I'll have a chance to update the blog with pictures. Have had no cell service in several days so I've been using my phone card to update the posts from phones in the campgrounds. The water in the lake is the bluest of blue. For those of you who don't know, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the U.S. and is actually the remains of a the volcano Mazama that blew nearly 7,000 years ago. This is the PCT's highest point in Oregon. Coordinates for my camp spot tonight are: 43 deg 09'813"N; 122 deg 04'185"W.
Onward and northward - keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 87: Weds., Jul. 23: 11 miles: TOTAL 1830.4

I hiked into Mazama Campground this morning and hit the restaurant for a hearty, mountain size breakfast. There is a store where I can buy a few snacks and pick up a mail drop that was shuttled down from the Crater Lake Post Office. I'm happy to get the mail here because my phone needs charging and the charger is in the box, I hope.

I had planned to zero here but changed my mind. So, I'm heading on up the road to the Rim Village junction, a short distance. Also, the post office is there and I can send some of this extra food ahead so I don't have to carry it.

Charged my phone but there is no cell service in this area. Bummer. I'll be looking for a pay phone to call Shirley and update this blog.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 86, A NIGHT OF RAIN, SLEET AND HAIL. Tues., Jul. 22, 34.3 miles: TOTAL 1819.6

Coordinates: 42 deg 46'623" N, 122 deg 10'724" W: I woke up this morning and there was white stuff all over the ground. At first I thought it was pollen - but it was sleet. Not only did it rain last night but we had a hail storm and I didn't even know it. I slept right through it. I also realized that I will be probably be changing my tent from this light weight one to my heavier, warmer tent. I'll ask Shirley to bring it out with her when she flys out here on the 2nd of August. Even though it is still summer, the weather changes quickly in the mountains of Washington. I'm heading for Crater Lake and the Mazama Campground tonight.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 85: Mon., Jul.21: 35.1 miles: TOTAL 1785.3

Coordinates: 42 deg. 09'971" N; 122 deg. 27'832" W: Well this has been an interesting day. I hike out of Hyatt Lake and maintain a consistent elevation for 35 miles. This section is described as the Oregon desert. However, it is not really a desert but a very dry stretch of land created by volcanic activity eons ago. I'm walking on soft ash-like ground among scrawny lodgepole pines. There are pieces of light-colored volcanic rock and pumice everywhere.

The PCT crosses and intersects numerous other trails winding here and there, making it very difficult to know for sure that I am on the right trail. The most important piece of gear I'm carrying is my Garmin eTrex GPS. I suppose I could hike the PCT without it but I wouldn't want to try. I can't believe it but as I get ready to camp for the night, it's beginning to rain. This is the first rain I've had since Half Dome at Yosemite National Park, and that was only a brief light rain shower. I'll be setting up my tent and bedding down because it looks like I may be in for quite a downpour.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard