{"id":763,"date":"2023-07-29T03:25:01","date_gmt":"2023-07-29T03:25:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/?p=763"},"modified":"2024-03-18T00:54:08","modified_gmt":"2024-03-18T00:54:08","slug":"7-29-23-cascade-locks-to-white-pass-washington-south2147-2295-miles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mihoaida.com\/pct\/7-29-23-cascade-locks-to-white-pass-washington-south2147-2295-miles\/","title":{"rendered":"7\/29\/23: Cascade Locks to White Pass, Washington South (2,147 – 2,295 miles)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After Chris dropped me off at the Oregon side of the Bridge of the Gods, I walked across 0.4 mile bridge over the Columbia River. It was the most frightening experience I had on this entire PCT! There was no sidewalk. The bridge had metal grades so I could see the river several hundred feet below my feet through. I was told to walk against the traffic, so I saw all oncoming cars heading toward me. I was hoping that they would see me and yield to give me enough space to continue walking. It was also very windy. I learned that Columbia Gorge is known as a capital of windsurfing. I held onto my hat with my both hands for the entire way, so that I won\u2019t lose my hat in the wind. When it was over, I was so relieved! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Entrance to the Bridge of the Gods from Oregon side
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After the bridge, the trail climbed the first 11 miles from almost sea level to 3500 feet. Even it was over 3000 feet elevation gain, I felt really good in my body. First, it\u2019s because I was well nourished and taken care of by my great friends in Hood River. Second, there is plenty of oxygen compared to the Sierra mountain above 10,000 feet. As I began walking in the Washington forest, a word came into my mind. Abundance. Even on the eastern dry side of the mountain, there\u2019s so much vegetation with thimble berries, huckleberries, salmon berries, and blackberries. I enjoy walking and harvesting. When I found wild strawberries in the burned woods as I climbed the last hills to see the Mt. Adams, I was euphoric. This is what strawberries taste like and I forget if I only eat strawberries from the stores. I tried not to be greedy so I just picked a handful of them. They are so delicious – sweet with right amount of tanginess, and I call them red pearls of the woods. Harvesting wild fruits and vegetables is one of my favorite things to do in nature. It reminds me of the direct connection with nature as well as shared gift that mother nature offers us <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There is something that is very different about the forest in Washington and Oregon. I hike for days in the woods without much views or change in scenery and all of the sudden I surface to the stunning mountains. I hiked for three days straight without much view of Mount Adams. I waited and walked. It felt like forever. Then, I came above all the trees and found myself in the Horseshoe Meadows full of wildflowers with Mt. Adams right in front of me. That moment, I thought all of the last three days in the woods paid off. I sat at the edge of the meadow staring at the mountain surrounded by wildflowers. It was another paradise after seeing the Paradise Park at Mt. Hood. I thought I could stay there forever just looking, smelling the flowers, feeling the breeze and soaking up the beauty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I took my time hiking the paradise and when I came to one of the drainages with more flowers, I decided it\u2019s time to follow my instincts and go off trail to find a camp. After hiking up toward Adam\u2019s Glacier, I found one of the most gorgeous camps on my entire PCT trip. I could see Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier and Mt. Saint Helens all of them! The sunset went off forever because of the overcast and I was overwhelmed by the beauty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The next morning I took a short day hike up toward Adams glacier on one of the lateral moraines. I noticed there are no human foot prints and lines of angulate which is not deer but I wasn\u2019t sure what it was. When I reached one of the peaks, I saw a mound of white thing and they were three mountain goats! Then, I saw a group of goats walking in a line on another moraine ridge moving up toward the glacier in the golden morning light. I realized that I came in the world of mountain goats! They are amazing climbers, and I had no idea that they exist in the Pacific Northwest. What a special treat for me to encounter them and watch them do their thing without minding me. I took my time enjoying this incredible place then took off to cover some miles in the late afternoon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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