DAY 113: August 18, 2008 187.2 miles to go!

Said goodbye to each other at Stevens Pass this morning. I'll be hiking across the Glacier Peak Wilderness for the next 5 days. There is a detour off of the PCT due to storms that damaged the original trail in 2006. This should be an interesting (and challenging) few days. Will meet Shirley at Rainey Pass on Friday, Aug. 22.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 112: Sun.,Aug.17: 25.2 miles: TOTAL 2476.3

The hike today is more of yesterday’s - ascending and descending, but with a slight ease in elevation changes. The trail is washed out at several creek crossings and have to be forded. Someone camped at one creek crossing, probably hoping the ford would be easier later. It was very passable when I went by at 0730. Whoever this is has set up a tent and left a large, black, Standard-sized poodle guarding the tent. I took a picture from a distance (photo #2). That dog wasn’t about to let me get close to that tent.

There is plenty of cold water for most of this section – which is always refreshing. I’m trekking into Stevens Pass (PCT trail#2000). I’ve called Shirley and she is driving in from Seattle. We will be staying in Skykomish, at the Sky River Motel. It will be good to take a break.

Keep hiking,

Greybeard

DAY 111:Sat.,Aug.16: 34.1 miles: TOTAL 2451.1

My hike today is one 2,000 ft. climb after another – separated by 2,000 ft. descents, one after another. It is very rugged terrain and the ups and downs seem to be straight up and straight down – switching back and forth. But, the passes are astounding above many beautiful meadows, lakes and waterfalls. Coordinates: 47 deg. 33’845” N; 121 deg. 08’074” W.

Keep hiking,

Greybeard

DAY 110: Fri., Aug.15. 20.9 miles: TOTAL 2417

Hiked the 5.9 miles from my campsite last night to Snoqualmie Pass (photo #1) to meet Shirley. We drove across the rode to the Summit Lodge for a sit-down, "big" breakfast. Then we camped out in front of the small grocery next to the Lodge to charge my camera and load the topo maps onto my Garmin eTrex (somehow they disappeared back in Bend, OR). My 'baby' took care of everything while I talked with a couple of section hikers, ate lunch prepared by Jill Yang (the wonderful lady Shirley is staying with in Seattle), drank a half-gallon of cold milk, finished a quart of ice cream and snacked on grapes and bananas.
After I got on the trail from the pass (on a rather full stomach), I saw a sign describing the section ahead of me. It read “LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: MOST DIFFICULT.” I’ve seen lots of signs describing the “level of difficulty” of hiking trails – most say “moderate” or “difficult”. This is the first time I’ve seen one that read “most difficult.” And difficult it has been. The trail is a series of climbs, twists and turns around Commonwealth basin that traverses Pyramid Peak (photo #2) any steep slopes and great views. Elevation 5,050 ft. Coordinates for the evening are: 47 deg. 27’198” N, 121 deg. 17’905” W. Didn't get a photo of the sign, but snaped some photos of the not-so-easy trail.

Keep hiking,

Greybeard

DAY 109:Thurs.,Aug.14: 33.8 miles TOTAL 2396.1

Today’s hike has been a trek of ups and downs with great views from the high points. I have a nice camp this evening with a good-water source. I’m at the edge of a forest close to a clear-cut and looking out at a beautiful view of the soon-to-cross Cascades– but I must also be parked next to a “mosquito hatchery” – they’re out in full force. Coordinates: 47 deg.22’286” N, 121 deg. 26’932”W.

Keep hiking,

Greybeard

Views from the PCT, including the TOWERING MONARCH - majestic Mt. Rainier!

Three mountain passes afforded lots of camera shots the past 5 days; White Pass, Chinook Pass and Snoqualmie Pass. Enjoy!
Greybeard

KY Greybeard resupplying from the "support car" at Snoqualmie Pass

DAY 109,Thurs.,Aug.14: 33.8 miles; TOTAL 2396.9

Ups and downs today, with good views early on the high points. Several dense forests. I have a nice dry camp. Coordinates: 47 deg. 22'286" N; 121 deg.26'932" W.

Enjoy the photos! Mr. Frog posing for me, photo #1; another heavenly view of Rainier, photo #2; photo #3, a view of the Evergreen State. Enjoy!

Keep hiking,

Greybeard

DAY 108: Weds., Aug.13: 31.6 mi.; TOTAL 2363.9

Today's hike from Chinook Pass has been a pleasant stroll in the park due to lots of easy, rolling trail with very few climbs. The views while traversing around high points on slopes generally near crests and crossing one saddle after another, were incredible - non-stop mountain peaks, deep gorges and beautiful lakes nestled in green valleys below. Photo #2 is the 'big guy' - Mt. Rainier!

I am camping in a young tree "thicket" as dense as California Chapperal (photo #2). The thicket is a result of, or follow-up of a past clearout. It is intensenly green and almost claustrophobic. Coordinates: 47 deg.07'996" N, 121 deg.19'573".

I saw my first "blackie" (bear) today, the first one this trip. It was actually a golden brown color and it DID NOT pose for me. The photo of the frog was taken near a unbelievably, serene lake.

Keep hiking,

Greybeard

DAY 107: Tues.,Aug.12: 29.3 miles: TOTAL 2332.3

Some times there are no laundries nearby!
Finished up this day hike at 4:30 pm. Shirley was waiting at Chinook Pass. As usual, she had a take-out chicken dinner waiting for me and a quart of cold milk. As I have already posted, this day was a "walk in the woods". There was not much elevation change. I cleared a ridge at 12 noon and Mt. Rainier, in all its glory, loomed above me. It was magnificant! I could see Mt. Adams and almost Mt. St. Helens.

I have been leap-frogging with 4 other thru-hikers, Chunk, Water Buffalo, Britten, and Bido. They should all be ahead of me tomorrow since Shirley and I are camping tonight at Silver Creek Campground.

I saw a Marmot today. It is the first wildlife sighting larger than a squirrel I've seen in 200 miles. 331.2 miles to go!
Keep hiking,
Greybeard