Across Oregon to the Columbia River
Why don’t PCT hikers talk about Oregon? It’s green, relatively flat, and dotted with spectacular volcanos: the Sisters, Three Finger Jack, Jefferson, and Hood. Berries are everywhere, and ferns, moss, and waterfalls. I love it.
Two days out of Ashland, I joined up with Emu & Mozzie, two Australian women I’d met in Idyllwild, and I’ve been hiking with them and 5-6 others ever since. They taught me how to hike 10 miles by 10 am, and 20 by 2. With them, I crossed Oregon in 22 days, including a double zero in Bend. Hiking with a group has taken my loneliness down to nil, and helped motivate me to keep moving forward.
Now I’ve getting ready to head out from Cascade Locks into my home state of Washington. Only 505 miles left — Canada ho!
Hugs & happy hiking,
Penguin
Enjoying the lunch buffet at Timberline Lodge.
A handful of huckleberries.
The band photo at the 2000 mile marker: (clockwise from top left) Hot Tang, Emu, Mozzie, Thigh Gap, Sparkle Motion, and me.
Emu, Rocket Llama, and Mozzie with Mt. Jefferson in the background.
Emu, Hot Tang, and Beacon slack-packing across the lava fields before Bend.
Soaking in the beauty of Crater Lake.
The sunset hikers at Crater Lake: Hot Tang, Mozzie, Emu, and moi.
← Previous: Bartle Gap (mile 1451) to Ashland (mile 1727): Holy shit, I walked to Oregon
→ Next: Cascade Locks (mile 2155) to Snoqualmie Pass (mile 2402): Cascade Locks to Snoqualmie Pass
So glad to hear you found more friends! You look like you are having a great time. It’s always the best feeling when you find like minded folks. Seriously, Oregon is so beautiful. We went on another trip there over the summer, it gets harder to leave every time.
It was so great to see you at Cascade Locks! I hope Washington is a great hike, too.
Congratulations Alice! Have you hugged your husband yet?!
Thanks, Holly! Lots of hugging accomplished.