WA PCT, day 23

Tuesday, September 1
Start: campsite near Three Corner Rock
End: Cascade Locks
Miles: 15.0 miles
Gain/loss: 2562’/5738′
Listened to: book- Words of Radiance

After a solid night’s sleep with tons of dreams, I woke up at 5:25am with a lot of condensation on the inside of my tent, despite leaving one of my vestibules completely open. I think it was because I was still damp with sweat when I went to sleep, so as I dried it went into the air. I wiped it down first thing to give it time to dry further. I packed up and was on trail by 6:25am, with a small wooded view of Mt Hood and clear sunrise views of Mt Adams, St Helens, and Rainer.

I made good time all day, spurred on by the promise of town, despite the large holes in my shoes that allow small pebbles and particles to get inside. I nearly fell a few times as I slipped due to my shoes’ tread being just about gone. I crossed paths with perhaps a dozen or so NOBO hikers as they headed out of Cascade Locks or from campsites just out of town. I chatted with a NOBO (Wildcat) for a few minutes before continuing on my way.

The path into town wasn’t very pretty, with walks through clear-cut logging areas, but I could see Cascade Locks about 10 miles outside of town, which was encouraging.

I arrived at Bridge of the Gods by noon, and walked across the Columbia River, walking against traffic since there isn’t any pedestrian walkway. It’s metal grating, which made for a bit of anxiety, what with the high winds and vibrations from passing trucks and cars. I took what pictures I could on the way over and of signs on both sides.

Once I made it to Cascade Locks, I went to the Best Western to see if I could check in early. They had my room ready and handed me the key. I was in my room prepping laundry by 12:30pm, and back out on the town freshly showered in clean clothes by 1:30pm.

I got a bite to eat with some ice cream too from the old-school drive-in at the end of town, and went to the park to eat. Then I walked to the brewery for a drink before heading back, hitting up the grocery store for dinner I could eat in my hotel room.

It was weird to know that I wouldn’t be pushing forward, not looking at Guthook to figure out where my next campsite would be. Until I left on the bus, I could pretend it was just a day in town. I’ve already started thinking about my next PCT trip – maybe I’ll take 2-3 weeks in late March/early April to head NOBO from the border with the 2021 crowd!