PCT 2007 - Day 154 - Five Mile Camp - Mazama, WA

Day 154 8-26-07 Gordy Skoogs House
Five Mile Camp – Winthrop, WA
24.8 (1.5) miles; 2593.8 (80.86) total miles; 4439.9 trip miles
60’s, sun, rain and clouds Day ? of rain
Days camped alone 32

2007 PCT Critter Tour General Category
1- Marmot count is 163
2- Deer count is 134
3- Pika count is 70
4- Elk count is 65
5- Goat count is 21
6- Slug count is 17
7- Bear count is 7
8- Rattlesnake count is 6
9- Martin count is 1
10- Badger count is 1

Well it rained off and on most of the night. It was still off and on when I woke up. Again the tent leaked but lucky for me, not for Bessy as she was the only one to get wet. I got up just before 6 am and was hiking by 6:30.

The trail down to High Bridge Ranger Station was a roller coaster. I got some nice views down into the gorge at the Agnes creek. They had replaced the stationary bridge which got knocked out with a fancy “temporary” suspension bridge. It was pretty springy.
When I got across the bridge, I hit a road and met two guys going to meet the Stehekin shuttle. Two other guys went by as we talk. I then went the wrong way and had to turn around. Once I did get to the ranger station, I still was confused as where I was going. After some map reading, I spotted the trail and started a small climb to Coon Lake. The lake was filled with lily pads on the end I passed.

Not far past the lake I stopped and talked to a father, son and their friend. They were from Vermont, and their friend, Scott, was the youngest person to thru-hike the Long Trail, at 5 years old. We went our own ways and shortly later I passed a guy by himself. I passed the McGregor Creek, the Buzzard Creek and the Canim Creek. Then there was a fork in the trail and no sign to say which way to go. I went right since that way was the most used of the two. About ten minutes up the trail I met 2 ladies and 2 young girls. They confirmed I was on the PCT.

Just up the way was Bridge Creek Ranger Station. It was a large canvas tent. There were a few old wood buildings but not much was there. I saw some people down near one and they had a fire going. I walked the road passed the ranger station and the trail then turn off up the hill to the right. Not too far up the trail it was time for a snack. While getting out my snack 3 guys came by and asked about my hike.

I then cross Berry Creek and next I crossed Bridge Creek. After Bridge Creek I climbed up a ways and had another snack. Once again 3 guys came by and chatted me up.
From Bridge Creek I had an 8 mile climb to Stiletto Peak Trail 1232. Along the way I passed Maple Creek, where I had lunch, Six Mile Camp, Rainbow Lake Trail, Hide-Away-Camp, Twisp Pass Trail. The climbing wasn’t bad until the last 1.4 to Stiletto Peak Trail. I saw two trail runners around here as well going south.

I supposedly descended half a mile to the North Cascade National Park boundary, though I’m pretty sure I never went downhill for a half mile. I continued to climb up to Highway 20 where I was to meet my friend Gordy and got there early so I went on another 1.4 miles to Rainy Pass. I then walked the road back to the trailhead parking lot at Bridge Creek to wait for Gordy. Gordy showed up just after five to find me sitting between the men and womens bathroom doors. He said it was quite the sight. We drove back to his house where I started laundry, dried out my tent and sleeping bag. We talked a bunch and Gordy made us dinner of chicken, baked potatoes, and salad. After dinner I took my first shower in 17 days. He did an interview with me for the website which is part of his job. He wanted to get into the head of a PCT hiker. I think I gave him enough to go on.
It’s now almost 12 midnight and I have to go to bed. 3 days to go!

———-

Scatman

Get out there!