PCT 2416 – 2436
Miles Hiked = 20
This morning Sydney and I woke up to clear blue skies! We were hiking by 7am. Over the next five miles we would climb 2400 feet in elevation. Along the way we enjoyed some nice views of a cascading stream on the other side of the valley
and of impressive Summit Chief Mountain
We passed wildflowers – who remembers the name of these flowers?
As we climbed higher we had a good view back at where we came from late yesterday afternoon – the red line gives a very rough idea of the trail. Last night we camped somewhere on the lower right of the photograph.
After we reached the top of our morning climb, we took a rest and snack break – the views were impressive.
Typically the trail goes uphill and then goes downhill … this morning was no different. Today the trail would go down about the same amount that we had just climbed up!
Today’s hike however was easier than yesterday’s – there was less elevation gain and the trail was in better condition – more smooth dirt trail and not as rocky.
The trail would go down and then around the west side (left) of Waptus Lake, seen in the photo below.
Waptus Lake, as you can see is quite beautiful, but the trail stayed several hundred yards above it on the far side so we never got very close.
When we got to the bottom we took a lunch break at the Waptus River that drains into the western end of the lake.
Sydney soaked her sore feet in cold river🦶🦶
After we passed Waptus Lake we saw more bright red Thimbleberries along the trail.
Late in the afternoon, we had another thousand foot climb up to some nice campsites near Deep Lake.
It’s always nice to make camp by 6pm and have time to dry out hiking clothes (shirt, socks, etc) and relax a little before making another gourmet back-country dinner 🤣.
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One Dream, One Path, Four Feet 