8/22/2017 Mile 2065.6 to Timberline Lodge Mile 2094.4

We woke up at our usual time excited about getting to the legendary Timberline Lodge for the buffet. 

The hiking was easy and the trail flat. We were approaching Mount Hood and could occasionally just barely make out the mountain through the smoke of some unknown fire. Before too long we came across the beautiful Timothy Lake. 

The trail winded along it for several miles and on the opposite shore I noticed that there was several long sandy beaches that looked pleasant. I would love to come back to visit this area again soon. The forests and lakes remind me of Maine with their own unique flare. Chipmunks rule the Oregon forest and are very bold and omnipresent and the lodge pole pines are covered in a hairy, straw like moss. 

After Timothy Lake we approached Little Crater Lake. Little Crater Lake is a large and deep, spring fed pool created by shifting tectonic plates. It is only about 20 or 30 yards across but it is twice as deep and beautifully clear with a turquoise tint that makes the pool appear artificial. The temperature is 34 degrees in the heat of the summer and I was eager to jump in. 

When we arrived we were standing there with an Australian couple we met at Olallie Lake Resort, who are also hiking north. Another couple was passing us in the opposite direction, clearly day hikers and I told them I was thinking of jumping in. They said there was no swimming but after they left we looked all over for signs and there were none. So naturally I jumped right in.  The water was shocking and exciting. It was like jumping into a glass of ice water. Sherpa, as per usual, encouraged me but had no interest in being that cold. 

After I shivered for a few moments we picked up our littered belongings and headed back to the trail.  Once there we gathered our bags and hiked on. 
Within a few miles or so we reached a spring and Sherpa and Tofu stopped for lunch. I was in a groove so I pressed on 12 miles to the next stream.  It was some of the quickest miles on the trail. I stopped for lunch, only 2 miles and a stiff climb from the lodge expecting to wait for a while for Sherpa. She arrived only moments after plopping down for a rest. 

We both took a 20 minute break and then made the push, aided by coffee, to Timberline Lodge for drinks and dinner. 

We arrived around 5 o’clock feeling excited and we were pleasantly surprised to find great campsites right next to the lodge. We planted our tent and readied our nest so we could come back after eating and go right to bed.  We were just leaving our site when I noticed a pair of hikers that had a familiar gate. I realized it was Yote and 2.Toe so I did my Wolf call, which translates well to Coyote. 

They turned around and we were excited to see it was them! We hugged and soon Tofu showed up just behind us. The Hiker Bullies were at full strength once again. They were hiking on and had had trouble getting a ride to Olallie Lake so hitched directly to Timberline. We said our goodbyes and went to eat and drink.  

Sherpa, Tofu, and I had a cocktail upstairs and then went to the pizza bar on the ground floor called the Ox Bar for dinner. We had a great time and when it was time to wind down, went back to our tents.  I had forgotten to grab my water bottle at the bar so I went back with my bladder to get some water. 

When I reached the lodge it looked so pleasant, with a fire on the patio and stars shining above I texted Sherpa to meet me. She said she would only do it if we pretended not to know each other. I agreed. I decided I would be Parker, a trust fund baby with a rich uncle with one foot in the grave. I have a van and a dog named Zander traveling the country looking for adventure and women. 

Sherpa enjoyed the hot chocolate but not Parker.

We had a good time and then shuffled off to bed. I listened to my audio book for a little while longer and then we both slept like little hiker babies.