Stehekin to Bushcamp
16.9 miles
Mile 2588.8
We slept in a bit, finally packing up and walking over to the restaurant patio by 7. Spikes and I enjoyed a quick breakfast scramble and pancakes before hopping on the bus to be shuttles back to the trail.
There’s an awesome little bakery that the bus always makes a 10 minute pit stop at, where I grabbed a few savory pastries to pack out for dinner.
Once we arrived at the trailhead, Spikes and I started walking down the trail…until we realized we were going the wrong way, turned around, and started once again heading in the correct direction this time.
Shortly after starting we passed this neat lily pad spotted pond.
Continuing on, the trail snaked through a lush forest, where we made frequent stops to munch on huckleberries.
It was freakishly hot at as we ascended a long series of exposed switchbacks. I almost fell off the ridge while making way for a party of pack horses heading the opposite direction. At the top of the climb we found more horses.
A few switchbacks and a bridge later we ran into a group of National Park Services employees doing some trail maintenance. While chatting, they made us aware of a possible trail closure ahead at Rainy Pass trailhead due to a wildfire near Cut Throat Pass…hopefully that won’t effect us.
We pushed on a few more miles before setting up shop at a great little campsite near a creek. While pitching my tent I noticed a hiker approaching, who turned out to be our long lost buddy Swift! It was a great, but short lived reunion, as he planned to push on to Rainy Pass that night.
After saying goodbye, Spikes and I attacked the pastries I’d packed out before hitting the hay.
Cheers!