Started Washington with a rather pleasant weather - almost spring-like. Though it was very hot in Cascade Locks, the last town in Oregon just before entering Washington, it was probably due to the fact that it is supposedly the lowest point on PCT at barely a couple of hundred feet above sea level. As soon as we hit PCT and higher elevations, the temperatures moderated. Post-Trout Lake (D-101), there was "Extreme Heat Warning" with temps in the 85-95 F (30-35 C). That lasted for about a week or so. Day 110 turned out to be completely different. We were expecting rain early in the morning lasting till 8 am per the weather prediction. However, it barely rained the night before and with the wind, my tent was infact fully dry in the morning. That seemed like a good sign. The morning started out foggy and the scenery was pretty.
The Sun peeked out for a bit and you could even see a rainbow near the mountains
However, that was the last of the Sun we saw that day. The fog became more dense and then a light drizzle & mist started which lasted till early evening. It was the kind of rain that soaks through everything. And the temperatures dropped too with a high of around only 45 F (7 C). It was a cold and wet day! Then, we encountered snow on top of Fire Creek Pass that evening, which was also unexpected since we had barely seen much snow in Washington. Nothing sketchy but definitely slowed us down.
Finally, we camped near Mica Lake which was frozen - the last frozen lake we had seen was in Seirras almost 2 months ago!
It was a cold night and temps dropped to freezing. And to compound our misery, we woke up to a lot of condensation inside and outside the tent, as well as on the sleeping bag. Let me tell you, packing a wet tent on a freezing morning is no fun 😏. Couldn't wait for the Sun to show up. Perhaps only on the trail does one realize the power and importance of the Sun and how much it's warmth helps!
So we went my from spring to summer to winter and today it was back to summer! That's Washington for you, I guess 😀
Once the Sun came out, it was gorgeous!
Town stops
After Trout Lake, there were 3 more resupply stops. The first was White Pass on Day 103, which was just a quick stop to pick up our resupply box from Kracker Barrel, a convenience store which also offered laundry & showers. The box fee was $5 while the shower was $10 (unlimited time, though). Both were well worth it, from my perspective. Also had a very nice pizza lunch, before heading back on the trail.
The next stop was Snoqualmie Pass on Day 106. Picked up the resupply box from the Chevron gas station inside which was the Post Office. Though we had sent the box to the PO, it was kept at the gas station which was good since we arrived after Post Office hours. Here the box fee was $8, to be paid in cash only. The only lodging option was the Washington Alpine Club hostel. The WAC opens it's doors in summer for PCT thru-hikers, the only non-members allowed there. For $30, you get a bed, shower, laundry and even dinner & breakfast cooked by volunteer hosts. They only ask that you help out with a couple of chores like cleaning up and help with cooking/setting up tables etc. Met and had dinner with all bunch of thru-hikers who were all staying there. It was a fun socal gathering. The hosts - Leslie & Dortea - were very nice.
Headed back to the trail the next day morning for the next section - 70+ miles to Stevens Pass/Skykomish where our next resupply box was. Reached there on Day 108 and got a ride into & out of Skykomish from a local trail angel, Piper. I basically texted him 2 hours before we reached the trailhead at Stevens Pass to request him for a ride and he readily agreed. And then he offered to get us back to the trailhead after 3 hours once we were done with the box pick up from the Post Office and had lunch in town. A true angel indeed!
Tomorrow (Day 113) is the final town stop at Mazama and I am looking forward to it, as all thru-hikers do for every town stop 😀
Data:
D-110:
D-111:
D-112:
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