WalkingCarrot

We awoke to the occasional sounds of jets on their final approach to Sea-Tac international airport. The low forests we have traversed since Stampede pass are anatural “keyhole” through the Cascades, aroute favored by loggers and airline planners. Still 16 mile from the smal ski resort of Snoqualmie Pass we know we ar not far from the “real ” civilization of the Northwest’s largest cities.

Across the trail we spot better campsites, along the extension of the skid road upon which we had set our tent. Such is the problem of hiking and searching long after dark for campsites.

The morning hike continued along wooded slopes, breaking out into hucklebery …

Intermittent rain left a dampness to everything this morning. We got up and out during a break in the rain. On the trail we were back in rain soon enough. And clouds. Walking high ridges we were walking right through the clouds. As we dropped a thousand feet in elevation to a lower pass we left the clouds and most of the misty rain behind.

In the afternoon the clouds started to break up and let some sunshine in, bringing a definite change in mood for the better. We were walking most all of the day through a series of clearcuts, depressing enough. Although the one good thing about the clearcuts …

The miles seemed to come slowly today. We started late and stopped a couple times to enjoy the warm morning sun, while we could. Clouds and rain were forecasted for later in the day. With clear morning skies it seemed hard to believe, although from the ridge tops we could see distant clouds moving in.

At our breakfast break we tried some dried cereal we picked up from the hiker box at White Pass. At least we had thought it was cereal. It soaked up all the water and protein powder, as well as all the flavor. It was bland and chewy and not cereal. Still not sure what it was …

Several times last night we heard the plaintive wail of an elk bugling, looking for love. He seemed to get no response other than the occasional yipping of coyotes and hoo-hoo-hooting of a nearby owl. Then came the mice with their scritching, scratching, plastic bag tearing and chewing sounds. We doubled the “offerings” to them that we had made of cheese nip crumbs and peanuts and they still wanted to tear into the carrots snack bag. Vigilant swatting of the bags was all that kept them away. So we had a fitful night’s sleep punctuated by sounds and furry (rodents) signifying nothing but mouse hunger and ungulate lust.

The trail ascended …

At the Kracker Barrel convenience store we had breakfast, did laundry and managed to resupply from the meager selection of food items. The hiker box was of very little help, so we had to make do with the paltry offerings the store had on their shelves. Still, it was better than losing the time it would take to hitch into Packwood.

Originally we had been planning on taking a zero day here, but the sun is out, the sky is almost clear. It is too nice to not hike. Better to save the zero days for when it’s raining and cold.

Stream of backpacker and horse packers heading out, going home as …