Bushcamp to Bushcamp
32.6 miles (8.6 PCT miles, 24 off trail miles)
SoBo mile 109.4
Total mileage 2762.0
We woke up early to attack the climb that lay ahead of us. By 4:30 we were moving through the cool predawn darkness.
The overgrown trail soaked our lower bodies with the dew from the plants leaves as we hiked.
Eventually the wild forest spit us out in a clearing leading to the switchbacks that would bring us to the top of the pass.
The view from the top was well worth the effort it took getting there.
After a few switchbacks down the opposite side the trail straightened out, bringing us through a forest where wildflowers grew like planned rows of corn.
We passed two young bucks who posed for our photos.
Pushing on, we had a final set of incredibly steep switchbacks leading down to Holden Village.
Finally the trail deposited us in the middle of an old mining town purchased in the 70s by the Lutheran Church. Now, the isolated community functions as a summer camp of sorts. It was a weird place…
Upon entering the village I asked a passing women where the trail went. She seemed friendly enough, and offered to guide us to the information center. After learning where the trail started back up, we swung by the small store to buy some candy bars before heading upstairs to grub in the cafateria.
We were too late for breakfast, and too early for lunch, but fortunately there’s unlimited cereal, hard boiled eggs and juice available all day. We sat with the women we’d first met while we ate. We came to learn that Nadia was an established author and theologian, who had just published her 4th book, a take down piece on sex and intimacy within the church…interesting.
When Airborne had finished his 4th bowl of Cheerios it was time to go. Naudia was nice enough to walk us to the edge of the village, but I’m not sure if she was guiding or handling us…
Back on trail, we still had 11 miles of detour left until we’d reach the PCT at Cloudy Pass. It was a good thing we’d slammed some calories, because the climb up the pass was intense.
The trail up was incredible. We passed two stupid pretty lakes, as well as a handful of waterfalls.
By 4 we arrived at the PCT, and dang it felt good! The detour had taken MUCH longer than we’d anticipated, adding an unplanned day to this section. Mentally it just felt good to be hiking the right trail again.
We cranked out another 8 miles or so before making camp near Miner Creek.
Cheers!
If you noticed a particularly large, glaciated peak to the North during this section, it’s Bonzana Peak; Washington’s highest nonvolcanic peak at 9,511′.
Im glad y’all made back to the PCT (relatively) unscathed.
Thanks!
What a gorgeous detour! I know it added a day and was a bit more strenuous than the main trail, but wow!
Northern Cascades are moving up my bucket list!
Safe travels!
It was awesome! Cheers!
You would be surprised at the reaction of many a through-hiker (JMT/PCT) or a HST Hiker to the trail conditions in and around the Sierras off of the Highway. I recently did a trip near Sonora pass that led me on the PCT for 3 miles. That was the best, easiest trail section of the trip. The rest was absolutely beautiful, secluded, and very rugged.
There are some serious fires ahead and expect to see some other terrain and get some wild trail experiences diverting around them. Good luck!
The PCT is certainly taken well care of relative to other trails. Hopefully the fires don’t cause us too much drama. Cheers!