Weekend Photos: PCT again

- September 08, 2024

Bet you thought I was never going to get around to posting some photos, or anything else this weekend!

Back in August, I spent 12 days walking another segment of the WA PCT (Pacific Crest Trail). Today we'll look at the 1st three days and a bit, while I had company.

We entered near the Crystal Mountain ski resort, and climbed the Goat Lake trail to the PCT at Barnard Pass. Since we had a late start, the first night was just under 4 miles--and 2200' of climb--to Goat Lake, one of innumerable lakes so-named in the Cascades (and probably the Rockies and anywhere else mountain goats hang out). The "trail" to the lake seemed to be mostly a matter of following where the elk had led, which wasn't altogether comfortable.

In fact, we didn't even go to the lake, which was kind of a sad puddle. We found a camp a quarter mile away not far from a bunch of springs feeding a decent creek. The sun that had plagued us on the long, hot climb gave way to fog by dinner time, a pattern that set the tone for the whole trip.

The best thing about that camp.

It takes a lot of wild strawberries to flavor the oatmeal. I took the time to collect and hull enough.

Cute as can be, but these guys mean you'd better secure the food well.

By morning the mist had mostly retreated down into the valleys.

Our second day was a short one, a chance to relax out there and for me to get my trail legs under me a bit. Three miles and a modest climb (then drop) to stay in the high basin above Basin Lake. The intention had been to go to the lake, but there was water, and the views from on high were great.

Fire is not only the new normal, but it's not an end of the forest or the beauty. Even while waiting for new trees to grow, there is not only the beauty of the wildflowers that grow in the open spaces, but even the dead trees have their own patterns and beauty.

Lunch in the upper Basin Lake basin.

Basin Lake another 2-300' below us. I thought about going down for a bath, but it didn't seem worth it.

Before the afternoon was over, the wind had picked up a lot, and the fog was moving back in. We had set up on the knoll above, but chose to go find more shelter closer to the trees.

Petey Possum approved the move.

By the time we'd had dinner, the mist was mizzle, if not actual drizzle, and we dove for cover. This time, the clouds weren't gone in the morning.

Packing up in the mist.

Atmospheric trails.

The marmots didn't care if the sun shone or not.

At about time for Second Lunch we passed through Sourdough gap, and saw clouds lifting over Sheep Lake.

This time the fog mostly left us alone, though it was a damp and dew-heavy night.


Sheep Lake camp (sorry--I used this photo on Wednesday, too, but dang it, I like it!)

In the morning I was up in time to check out the sunrise, which didn't do a lot, but it did put me in a position to enjoy the reflections on the lake and the mist on the meadow, which shrouded most of the camps closer to the lake. The heavy dew also made us glad we'd chosen a spot higher up and farther from the water.

A 2-3 mile walk that morning, fairly flat, brought us to Chinook Pass, where I stocked my food, left my comfy but heavy camp chair, and recharged my phone and Garmin Mini before heading out for the longer solo portion of the hike, heading for White Pass and then south through the Goat Rocks--watch this space!