Day 146: mile 2516.2-2535.7
As I watched the sunrise, I got a better view of where I’d camped. It was beautiful, I was surrounded by green in every direction.
I grabbed some water, conveniently located on my way out of camp, and was off for the day. I headed up to finish the climb I started yesterday, but was met with a challenge shortly after. I began following a newly dug out trail across a sunny patch of tall vegetation thinking how nice the trail maintenance was, but I quickly changed my mind when it abruptly ended and I was left to find my own way through the trees for a bit. As I found the trail again, I also found the old trail that crossed the sunny bit, guess they’re still in the process of redoing this section of trail.
Back on the trail I made my way to the top where I was rewarded with such an amazing view! Just WOW! I sat and enjoyed it before heading downhill for the next 5 miles.
As I turned a corner Mica Lake came into view. Part of me wished I hadn’t just enjoyed the view quite so long at the top so I could’ve stayed here and soaked in the sunshine and maybe gone for a swim! The water is just as turquoise as it looks, maybe even more so.
I continued down the mountain and had an encounter with a giant flying bug. It would not leave me alone, I had to literally run away to escape it. Pretty comical. Maybe it likes hiker stink? Little did I know the next 5 miles would provide plenty of that hiker stink. As I reached the bottom it became increasingly hot and humid. The first few miles back up were absolutely brutal. Almost completely exposed the entire way up, and I must’ve been the only one who came through in a while because I walked into so many spider webs. I think it had to be one of the hottest days on trail yet. The switchbacks were endless, but at least I finally reached some tree cover toward the top to cool me down. I was drenched from head to toe! All I know is I’m glad I got a few extra miles in yesterday with all the climbing I still did today.
Once again I was rewarded for all my hard work, and once again I stopped to enjoy the view and rehydrate. I knew I still had some miles to make, so I got moving. What do you know, more switchbacks to end my day!
The campsites were all full as I walked down, but I still managed to find a little spot for myself to call it a day. After I set up, I went over what my day looked like for tomorrow, and was excited to see I only had one more big climb before I made it to my next stop, Stehekin. It was still 3,600 feet, but I’ll take it!
Goodnight!
XOXO Green Light