Overview: after Liz and her husband Oliver dropped me off at the Santiam Pass, what waited for me was over 377 down trees and 40-mile gust wind! It was one of the most mentally exhausting days I had on the PCT. Since I left Etna, California on July 1st, I handled over 2,393 down trees. By now I figured every down tree adds an extra 20 seconds on the trail. It requires intense focus since one wrong move can lead to a serious injury. With the wind, I was desperate to find a camp that is protected from the wind for a restful evening. I looked at the topo map and found a tiny lake off the trail at one of the saddles. I knew it would be a good camp for that night. When I arrived, I was greeted by the quietness and a small pretty lake free of mosquitoes. I took a cold bath with stunning evening light reflection on the lake without any wind. It was so special and what I needed for the day that I named this lake Little Secret Saddle Lake.
The next morning, it was the first time I woke up surrounded by the fog on the PCT. As I left my camp, I walked and prayed that the fog would lift so that I could see Mt. Jefferson. Sure enough, within an hour, the magical moment came. Out of the fog, slowly, the mountain appeared right in front of me. In addition, I started to hear Pika, an alpine small rabbit, on rocky slopes. Their high pitch calls are familiar to me because they are in the Sierra.
For the rest of the day, I was in awe and slowed down to soak up the beauty of the mountain. At Jefferson Park, one of the most stunning places on the PCT, I stood at the pass and I could see Mt. Jefferson right in front of me and Mt. Hood in the distance.
In between, I was aware that I would be passing through the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. The land was beautiful. The trail is very well-maintained. Down trees have been cleared to make the path safe for the PCT hikers to travel. About 50% of the sunlight reached the forest floor so I saw a lot more diversity of understory plants compared to what I saw before. This is a transition zone between the temperate dry forest to the rainforest. I noticed the change in the scent of the woods to something very sweet like a vanilla ice cream. It’s an honor and great privilege to be able to travel on the indigenous land. When we give land acknowledgment, often we mention the ancestral territory of indigenous people. But here, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are present and their land is taken care of by them. I wish there is more education about the tribe on the PCT permit process so that all of us come to this land with an awareness of the tribe and how they continue to take care of this land.
After passing the tribal land, I entered Mt. Hood National Forest. After being in the woods for a while, there was the grand Mt. Hood, the tallest mountain in Oregon! The trail became so sandy that I was sinking into the sand every step I took.
But the west side mountain was completely different – so thick in vegetation with wildflowers and streams. I took the PCT alternative called Paradise Park Trail and it was truly a paradise! It was one of the most beautiful places on the PCT and I will absolutely go back there again and again in the future. It was early for me to end the day but I decided to stay there to enjoy the breath-taking scene. I watched the sunset surrounded by flowers. I was so glad to change my plan and spent a night there.
The next day, after passing Muddy Creek, I noticed a complete transformation from somewhat dry temperate forest to the Cascade rainforest. I was so excited to find ready-to-harvest huckleberries, salmon berries, black berries and my most favorite berry in the world – thimble berries. Right before resupply, I’m usually craving for fresh fruits and vegetables. I could not help stopping and eating these wild vitamin-packed delicious berries all the way to Cascade Locks, the border between Oregon and Washington. Harvesting berries and slowing down to enjoy nature’s gift along the last 16 miles of the Oregon section was such a perfect ending. It helped me reflect and appreciate the incredible 460 miles of Oregon journey.
Appreciation: for Chris, one of my best friends from NatureBridge, and his wife Teija who now live just outside of Hood River to host me for a couple of days before beginning the Washington section. For Sandra, also one of my best friends, for coming to visit me from Portland with Blue Star donuts and other treats. For Koto, a friend in Portland, for making amazing Japanese vegan food and dessert and sending then in with Sandra. I am well rested and nourished because of my amazing friends’ support and ready to hike the next 500 miles all the way to Canada.
Best learning: Never miss an opportunity to slow down and enjoy the beauty. At this point on the PCT, I don’t get tired from walking. If I don’t need to eat and sleep, I would probably keep moving 24 hours a day and every day. This is how much I enjoy hiking. When I was passing Jefferson Park and Paradise Park, two most beautiful and memorable places in Oregon, I reminded myself to slow down and stop. How many people would have a privilege, opportunity and ability to come to places like this and see such beauty? Thru-hiking can be all about just moving through and I want to be a hiker who has a good balance between covering miles and remembering to stop and appreciate nature’s beauty.
Challenges: At Paradise Park, one of the water-tight fly zippers of my tent pulled off from the zipper pull!! This is a critical gear failure since the fly needs to be closed for rain as I am about to head out to Cascades and the Sierra where afternoon thunderstorms are common during the summer. This had to be fixed before continuing. Chris and Sandra both did research for me on how to fix this very specially-made zipper. We spent hours coming up with creative solutions, trying and failing. In the end, Sandra and I fixed it perfectly! I was so relieved and grateful for my friends and having the gear that works again.
Disappointment: Broken zipper of my tent! I was so disappointed when that happened.
Exciting moments: walking through the beautiful Jefferson Park. Spending a night at Paradise Park at Mt. Hood and seeing the sunset glow on the mountain and sunset surrounded by wildflowers. Connecting with my best friends who provide unbelievable support. Hot tub at Chris’s sweet home with a view of Mt. Adams (he runs Air B & B so check this place out!). Receiving the approved Canada Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Entry Permit application! I can enter Canada and Manning Park instead of turning around at the end of my northbound journey. I’m so thrilled.
