Wednesday August 12
Start: Bridge Creek
End: High Bridge/Stehekin
Miles: 16.9 miles
Gain/loss: 2999’/5807′
Listened to: podcasts- Nice White Parents; book- Artemis Fowl
I was up early at 5am this morning, and was out on trail by 6am. Despite having to take a break to tape different parts of my feet twice, I made amazing time and arrived at the High Bridge trailhead by 11:30am.
There I met three retired gentlemen (Steve [retired structural engineer], Rex [retired Army intelligence], and Dan [retired Marine]) who had just backpacked the PCT from Rainy Pass and are ending their trip in Stehekin. They live near Leavenworth, WA. We chatted about gear, hiking, and life while we waited for the bus. When the bus arrived at 12:25pm, we rode it back to the Stehekin Valley Ranch for 12:35pm, where we hung out chatting while waited for the bus to go back to High Bridge and then pick us up at 1:20pm. I had time to grab a burger and soda at the grill and ravenously consume them before the bus headed out.
No one at the ranch was wearing masks but everyone on the bus was properly wearing one (except the bus driver). All the windows were open and I felt safe in my mask.
Once we got to town, we had to wander around to two different campgrounds and talk to 5 different people because they finally instituted reservations-only camping for most of Stehekin on Friday. We managed to find two available campsites next to each other at Lakeview (spots 7 & 8) and we set up our 4 tents.
I retrieved my resupply package from the post office, hand-washed a lot of my gear and clothes, and called my partner on a free (10 minutes or less) telephone next to the laundry. I also ordered takeout from the Lodge (fettuccine alfredo) for dinner, and managed to avoid being stung by the horde of wasps that appeared to eat my food.
I also gave tips/beta to 3 PCT hikers (Hot Sauce, Shawn, and Snacks) who arrived on the last hiker shuttle together. They were super appreciative of the up-to-date info. They NOBO hiked the PCT last year and had to stop at Stevens Pass in October due to snow, so they’re heading SOBO. They’ve taken 8 days to hike that section, while it took me 5. If they don’t zero tomorrow, hopefully I’ll see them again! At the very least, they’ll be in town tomorrow morning until the post office opens at 10am.
Transcending Mountains 