Today we reached the highest point on the PCT in Oregon and Washington so it was a good day. Sherpa and I woke and packed our things, Tofu was already on her way down the trail. We descended the slope on the trail to Thielsen Creek. We filled our bottles from the glacier water that flowed from the north side of Mount Thielsen. It was some of the coldest water I put my hands into on the trail. We continued on to ascend the short and pleasant climb to reach the highest point on the PCT in Oregon and Washington.
The highest point was funny and anticlimactic and we reached it around 8:30 am. It felt like we were in a pasture and I started to think that all of Oregon and Washington was going to be rolling hills. That is ok with me because, so far, the trail in Oregon has been really enjoyable and beautiful. The highest point was no exception.
We did get some amazing views as we continued our traverse. Oregon has been surprisingly dry thus far and we had to carry water nearly 16 miles though we could see a lake in the distance.
I remember thinking how we passed through so many seemingly isolated ecosystems in Oregon. It reminded me of southern Vermont on the Appalachian Trail. We would pass into a forested area where all the trees had the same type off moss, then we would pass into another area where all the trees had the same tumors. It was striking and I it was some of the most enjoyable trail we have experienced.
At some point we caught up with Tofu and agreed that we would camp at Summit Lake a few miles ahead. We were pleasantly surprised when we reached a hidden junction and we found ourselves on a long, narrow outcropping that was teardrop shaped. It had flat and well groomed campsites and clear access to the water’s edge. We took in the site and decided to rinse off in the lake.
I jumped in and Sherpa did her usual dance before getting into the water and eventually got a quick dip and got out. We were worried that Tofu was going to miss the junction where we got off the trail and sure enough we heard her voice clearly from across the water.
She was a few hundred yards away but we could hear her as if she was only a few feet away. She was talking to another couple that was camped on the shore. We called to her to tell her where we were and convinced her to join us after she rinsed off.
We got out and hung our clothes. Tofu joined us and we all ate dinner and chatted. Sherpa and I went into our tents just after sunset and we occasionally called out random comments to Tofu who was only a few feet away.
Eventually we settled and it was time for sleep. We passed out in no time and slept like little hiker babies.