PCT Day 105

by

Bushcamp to Big Lake Youth Camp

33 miles

Mile 1995.1

I packed up camp feeling prime from an epic night of sleep. We got started a bit before 5, excited to knock out the 33 miles between us and Big Lake Youth Camp, where we could enjoy some hot food and a shower.

It was a gorgeous morning as I made my way around the base of the Three Sisters.

About 9 miles in I entered into the Obsidian Limited Entry Area, where loads of shattered obsidian (aka Dragon Glass) speckled the trail.

I made a short side trip to check out Obsidian Falls, where I found a creek cascading down onto chunks of shiny obsidian below.

Pushing on, the trail wrapped around the North Sister before heading north through a lava field and into a recently burned forest.

While walking through the dead forest I came upon some incredible trail magic! Someone had left a dozen or so Powerades, a large container of animal crackers and a 5 liter box of wine! Yeah…the wine surprised me too…but hey I’ll take it!

After Spikes gave the wine a taste test, we both filled empty Powerade bottles with it to enjoy later for dinner.

From there, we crossed a highway before entering into Mt. Washington Wilderness, where the trail weaved through a massive lava field.

The sharp volcanic rocks made each step painful, but the extreme scenery made it worth it.

After the lava field traverses, the trail led up and around the base of Mt Jefferson, before diving back down to Big Lake, where we took a short side trail to Big Lake Youth Camp.

The camp was incredible, and so was the friendly staff. After checking in they invited me to dinner and directed me to the their newly opened PCT Center, a building recently erected just to serve us hikers. It had a lounge area, full kitchen, WiFi, laundry and showers. The place was rad, and operates off donations.

After a shower, Spikes and I started a load of laundry before chatting with the other hikers as we waited for dinner. At 6:30 we all headed to the mess hall where we enjoyed a hearty meal with 100 plus kids.

Stuffed from multiple servings, we left the mess hall to setup camp on the black sand beach on the bank of Big Lake before falling asleep. It was a neat spot to camp, with epic views.

P.s. Happy 80th Granddad! Hope your party was blast! Wish I could have been there. Thanks for supporting me in my adventures and for sponsoring my shoes!

Cheers!

25 thoughts on “PCT Day 105”

  1. Your Oregon pictures are so pretty. We’ve been having all this good weather just for you guys.

    Lucky on the wine (that you enjoyed at the kids camp?!!?! Lol)

    It’s funny how the hike is seeming almost over as a reader but your feet think differently – plus we all get to experience you switching gears to the AT soon.

  2. Nice trail magic and perfect timing! You have a lot to celebrate:
    – Your first 200-mile week!
    – You and Spikes are REALLY crushing it the last 4 weeks! Zero zeroes and a killer pace!
    – You’re about to reach mile 2,000!
    – Pre-party for your 24-hour challenge!
    – Final month on trail!

    Fellow followers: if you haven’t seen this yet and you’re into numbers, here’s a deeper look into Snacks’ and Spikes’ pace:
    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BJ0fGssvZ9BcUzPhcrfbfKbscThkSle0yD8RzYC5_b4/edit?usp=sharing

    • Dude I’m loving the data sheet! Thanks for putting that together! We just finished our 24 hour challenge…73.2 miles! Woot!

      • No $hit! Nice dude. You realize that’s a 3mph pace don’t you?! It’s hard enough to hike at 2 withOUT carrying a pack. Forest Rangers might be on the lookout to write some speeding tickets!
        You’re welcome and my pleasure! Sounds like I’m gonna have to do the whole thing in reverse when you get to Cananda, eh? I just read you were going back to Mexico when you get to Canada instead of the AT. Veeeery interesting. Now you’ll have me seeing where I can get out on the trail for a section hike with you when you get back in Southern Cal!

        • Thanks! We were doing about 4 mph for the first part of the day, but slowed down when we realized we’d blow past Cascade Locks before 24 hours at that rate. Everyone we passed probably thought we were rude as hell…not time to chat lol.

          And yeah, I decided I’d rather see the PCT in reverse than hike the AT, this trail is incredible and it works out better logistically. Dude you should definitely pick a weekend to join me on southern Cali!

          • Wait, so we’re reading about it -now- that you are going to Yo-Yo?! That’s epic.

            I’d be in to hike a portion in SoCal when you make it. Depending on your timing I may be able to sag a section to you in the Sierras – There’s nothing like a power-resupply at Kearsarge or Cottonwood pass! Also, when you get back to San Diego County I’ll generously get you some of our local beer. Your blog is great and keeps me alive during my short breaks at work!

          • Haha that’s the plan! I’ll need to haul ass to get through the Sierra before their snowbound, but I’ll give it my best shot!

            And dude that would be rad! Let’s make it happen! Cheers!

  4. Dave I so liked the stat input. Sure is a lot of steps. Thought shower data was important. You seem to have hit all the important stuff. Great pics today. A geologist’s dream. Lv u G

  5. Long time lurker. First time poster here…
    Dave. OMG your table is incredible! That you have kept track of the types of beer is very cool.

    Spikes and Austin, you both have an incredible network of folks supporting you. It’s pretty awesome. Your trip is amazing so far and the scenery has been epic this year. Can’t wait to see more as you complete Oregon and get into Washington.

  6. Y’all seem to have a peculiarly low number of “bad” weather days!

    Keep on rocking it. Closing in on the Gorge (I think you’ll be there after Monday?) and knocking another state off the list.

    Happy trails,
    Alden

    • Howdy Alden! We’ve had nothing but blue skies in Oregon, hopefully that continues as we head into Washington…cheers!

  7. Thanks everyone for the love. I put the data together during my down-times at work. Austin has inspired me, and it’s my way of giving back to him as well as a way to research and prepare myself to hike the PCT. I’ve convinced my wife, and we’re going to start doing it in sections. My goal is to finish it before I turn 50 in 10yrs.

    Sally – Austin and I did a fitbit challenge when we worked together and part of that was keeping track of steps. My data is only an estimate (assuming a hiking stride of 1.75′ per step), so it’s likely way more steps were taken!

    Jay – Thank you! And when I hike the trail, I will already have a beer checklist in hand!

  9. Am I reading that correctly? Last Zero was in South Lake Tahoe? You’ve gone 1000+ miles without a Zero? That’s awesome!!!!!

    • Haha that’s right! We’re in Cascade Locks enjoying a much deserved zero day now. Cheers!

  10. Dave – Love the stats! Thanks for sharing that with us. Austin, your trip gets more amazing every day. I can’t believe you’re going to yo-yo. I already don’t know how you’re doing 30+ mile days right now. I’m exhausted just reading your blog :).

    • Thanks! I’m looking forward to seeing everyone I’ve met along the way on my trip back south!

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