August 20th
We finished sorting out food and enjoying the comfort of the Comfort Inn. One the cable channels was the Oregon dept of transportation with video cams trained on Santiam and Willamette pass. A truly bored thru hiker would, theoretically, be able to watch and after sometime see who else was walking up Willamette pass for pizza, a few days behind, or see who was crossing Santiam pass a day ahead. We weren’t that bored, but marveled at the technology and were thankful we didn’t stop at Willamette Pass to take a leak.
We were on our way by 11am. We had good luck in getting a ride out. After less than 10 minutes a tourist in a minivan stopped. It may have helped that I went into to woods to respond to mother nature’s call leaving the Carrot alone with her thumb out, returning only as the van pulled up.
At the top Of Mackenzie Pass we saw Disco and Trim just arriving from their hike through the Sisters (wilderness area). We learned that Honolulu, Little John and Sheppard had gotten in earlier and were already enroute to the town of Sisters.
Meadow Mary had left a water cache at the trailhead parking area with note that Billy Goat is ill and taking time off from the trail. He is considering finishing his 2004 hike here. We wish him a speedy recovery and all the best with whatever he decides.
The climb up from MacKenzie Pass across the lava rocks was slow due to heat, elevation gain and sharp rocks, which easily twisted to pointy end up whenever we stepped on them. The footing in this section is both painful and difficult. But the reward is some very nice views of Mt Washington. The volcanic rocks also make this section very dry – they do not hold water.
We stop after about 11 miles at the Big Lake Youth Camp, run by the Seventh Day Adventists. It’s a detour made necessary by the need for water. And a detour made delightful by their kindness and hospitality. Many hikers take advtange of the Youth Camp’s laundry and shower facilities. Having just been in the town of Sisters we didn’t indulge, but we did stay for dinner joining Ruth and Zigzager who both were there to pick up packages. And we bought some noncaffeinated soft drinks at their store.
After dinner Zigzagger stayed to do laundry while we hiked out a few miles with Ruth to camp near Lilly Pad Lake, just two tenths of a mile short of the 2,000 mile mark on the PCT. A quarter moon setting across the pond lights up the evening as we chat awhile before drifting off to sleep.
