August 11th
We all slept very soundly with the roar of the creek creating a soothing “white” noise. The traffic on the road did pick up some at daybreak. We were enjoying the rest and did not get started until 8am.
Leaving Hwy 140, the PCT makes a very long and gradual climb through dry, viewless terrain. We stopped and had lunch at a spring with TW, Tigger and Strut. While we were there a number of other hikers arrived, catching back up to us – Zigzagger, Little John, Sheppard and Tremor stopped in. Later we would see Ruth. After lunch the Carrot ad I took an alternate route/diversion to Red lakes. Others talked about doing it but none showed up. We had a very pleasant swim in a very shallow and warm lake, and found some more huckleberries – good reward for the small amount of extra hiking distance. We know that fall is not far away and that we must enjoy summer while we have it. The lake is a nice diversion from an otherwise viewless section. At least the lack of photo ops means that we spend less time taking photos and more time hiking.
At the end of the day we were walking with Ruth and missed the side trail/turn off to Snow Lakes where we intended to camp. We realized our error as we were able to see trail up ahead which did not match up with the map, and a sunset view which should not have been. The shame is that we would now have to race darkness to find camp instead of getting in with plenty of time. With no certain water for another five miles and not enough to make camp and no desire hike on in the dark it seemed like the most prudent thing to do was to turn back and go find the cut off trail. As much as I hate to backtrack, that is what we did.
The Carrot and I walked back the 3/4 mile to the turnoff, needing water for the night. Ruth bivouacked where she was, near the ridge. By the time we arrived at Snow Lakes all the others we had seen at our spring-side lunch we set up and eating diner.
The lakes are small, shallow and still, like most we have found in Oregon so far. The mossies are bad, for first time in awhile, so we set up the tent. While brushing teeth we are treated to several brilliant meteors direct from the Perseids meteor shower.
