Start point
Harts Pass, mile 2624.7
End point
Holman Pass, mile 2638.3
Miles hiked
13.6
Wilderness area
Pasayten Wilderness
Okanogan National Forest
People I met
Mission Control and Spot
The day on trail
I got up stupid early. It was still dark. And the whole campsite was bathed in laser party lights.
I loved that. It was cool seeing it last night; it was cooler seeing it in the morning.
As the sun came up, a bunch of different thrushes were singing all around the site. It was such a lovely way to get up.
After a brief breakfast, with everyone up, we arranged our ride up to Hart’s Pass, where we’d finish the final leg of the PCT. The driver was Lion’s brother. He had a truck with a camper attachment and a basket rack on the roof for gear. We lashed our gear in the basket and filled his car up. We had to leave on time because he also shuttles people back from Hart’s Pass and wanted to be available for when he said he’d be there.
We were warned that people who get motion sick should go in the cab, others can hang in the bed. I opted for the bed — I don’t really get motion sick.
It was a rough, windy, and bouncy drive up to Hart’s Pass. He knew the route well, so he didn’t hold back too much when going up. I personally prefer to drive more slowly, just because I’m paranoid about others and about hidden patches of slippery dirt. But it was out of my hands and he’s done it so many times without incident, it was safe to put my trust in him.
We unloaded at Hart’s Pass and met a ranger up there. She wished us well and we all took off. Beth and I were a little slower — I was trying to slow down to be near her. She didn’t have trail legs yet and I’d been chewing through miles for a while now. It’s really hard to slow down, though. Like, the change of pace forces you to move slower and change your gait. It can literally lead to injury. So I tried my best. I’d bop ahead, stop, wait for Beth, and we’d take a mini break if she needed. It wasn’t ideal, but it was the best I could do.
It was really misty to start off, right out of the car. But it was so nice to finally be back on the trail.
I missed hiking so much. And I’m really sad that I’ll be done with the trail for a while in a couple days. But I’ll have enough time to miss it once I’m off, so I’m going to drink up as much of it as I can while I’m here.
The trail just disappeared into the mist.
When the mist wasn’t on the trail, it hung low between the mountains.
And it occasionally cleared out.
I had a really good look at a grouse.
And there was a little structure out in the valley.
Soon we entered the Pasayten Wilderness.
Is this my last Wilderness Area? I think so.
There were more beautiful mountain views.
And a pika!
I had to stop to watch this fuzzy caterpillar.
We stopped for lunch at a small creek and filtered some water. As the water filtered, I cut a piece of the baguette we packed out, made a small sandwich with cheese and turkey pepperoni, and then put it in my cook pot over the stove to crisp the bread and melt the cheese. Yeah, that was a hell of a lunch. I’d do it again. And probably will tomorrow, with how much we loved that lunch.
After lunch we took off. Beth’s feet and back were starting to hurt. It’s a bit concerning only 7 or so miles in, but that’s how it goes I guess.
This striped ground squirrel probably didn’t have achy feet. Lucky guy.
And we ran into someone’s 1,800 mile marker. It’s not mine. But someone’s. I love seeing people’s achievements out here.
There were these beautiful flowers.
The second one had a bee which moved too fast for me to get a clear photo of it. But I love bees so much.
We crossed a walkway through a sensitive area.
There were some itty bitty white mushrooms.
And some chewed up fried chicken mushrooms.
I wonder what ate these.
We got to camp well before sundown. There was a staggered row of tent sites that went about four deep into the woods. One of the sites had some fuel cans, a couple water bottles, a Sawyer micro filter, and a random plastic sign. It had nothing else. It was weird: not the kind of trash you usually find. This is more like an abandoned-in-an-emergency kind of thing. The canisters had fuel left, and you don’t leave a water filter.
I left it out, in case someone was going to come back for it overnight or in the evening. If it’s there in the morning, I’ll pack it out.
We set up camp and made dinner. Then it was time for bed. Beth’s feet and back were still hurting. I was feeling antsy, wanting more miles. But that’s not in the cards.