Start – Wahtum Lake (1200 m)
Finish – Sandy River (1000 m)
Daily Distance – 38 km
Ascent – 1250 m
Descent – 1400 m
In recognition of Art’s penultimate trail day we have mainly walked together today. Work commitments, and a prior agreement to participate in the Mt Hood to coast relay race, mean he will exit the trail at Timberline Lodge. As the person who I have spent the most time with since meeting several weeks ago, I will miss his company.
Much of the day has been spent wrapped in moist clouds and being dripped on by trees. Useful for keeping cool, not such good news for efforts to dry our lake washed clothes from yesterday afternoon. Those garments not worn wet and dried with body heat remain damp.
Tomorrow will be a short, but strenuous day. The famous buffet lunch of Timberline Lodge is not far distant now, but almost all of the remaining distance is uphill. Field Trip and Two Phones, who I met at the PCT days, are also staying at this campsite. Everyone is already in bed by 20:30. Partly because the light is failing, but mainly with an early start in mind. Nobody wants to miss the start of the 12:00 buffet and decrease their eating time. Truly us hikers are simple creatures.
An early night sounds good with a buffet beckoning . The quality of the bridges does vary, but a fallen tree will do the job.
I enjoyed the pics. Looks like a lovely place to walk.
Art certainly has a busy life. It’s interesting hearing about the different characters you meet along the way.
The buffet sounds good.