So Long Oregon, We Hardly Knew Ya

Day 135 - August 18

Mile: Eagle Creek alternate 4.5 to 15.0 (11.5)

up/down: 500/1700 feet

455 miles in 22 days (including 1 zero day) for an average of 20.7 miles per day. And we didn't push very hard. We are well beyond getting in better shape and now are in jeopardy of wearing down. With the considerably more difficult Washington coming we were happy for the cruiser miles. 

We finished Oregon with one of my top 5 all PCT highlights so far - Tunnel Falls. The Eagle Creek alternate we started yesterday descends into a deep volcanic rainforest canyon with awesome waterfalls, the gem being Tunnel with its big drop and trail constructed high on the canyon wall and the tunnel behind the falls. The entire length of the canyon was a joy but that falls was especially fun. Because we camped within a mile of the falls we were there alone this morning, long before the crowds for this popular day hike could make it up the canyon. In fact, finishing the hike down canyon was a bit like a salmon going the wrong way. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

We are in Cascade Locks for the rest of the day. One of our two resupply boxes didn't bother to finish its journey up here from So. California so we're without food and shoes (which we were in desperate need of). Thankfully this resupply is a town with a grocery store and we'll be there later this afternoon to scrounge up a week worth of food. I ordered shoes from Amazon delivered to the next resupply town. Susan has another pair of shoes coming from home. We will persevere. 

Small town groceries for a week on the trail are not cheap!

 

Our Last Man Standing competition was busy this morning with 2 singing Dippers, a squawking and drumming Pileated Woodpecker, and at least three singing Pacific Wrens. You would think it is spring along Eagle Creek. 

Tomorrow morning we walk across the Bridge of the Gods into Washington.