Sept 10th
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 fields to show off close up views of the jagged peaks surrounding Snoqualmie pass, the true start of the rugged North Cascade range. A few light drops of rain fall to remind us we are not yet in a warm dry place. Alpine lakes just south of the pass welcome us to the high country, grey granite peaks reflecting perfect forms in their still waters. We pass in and out a series of gullies seeping water, dry forest and moist forest habitats and more alipne meadows and huckleberry firelds before descending the ski slope to Snoqualamie pass.
We arrive in Snoqualmie right on schedule and in the parking lot of the Best Western Summitt Inn come across the first other thru hikers we have seen in 16 days! Disco and Juniper are just getting in a car bound for an overnight stay in Seattle. We get a brief “who is where” report and then check into the motel.
We plan an taking a much needed zero day on Saturday. The legs need the rest. We have covered the roughly 350 miles since Olallie in 16 days with no zero days, roughly 22 miles per day average through some rough and soggy terrain.
The afternoon skies outside are clear with not a hint of the forecasted storms to come. Secretly we hope it pours rain, so that the clouds can get it all “out of their system” while we enjoy the warm dry space inside the hotel. With hallways leading to inside entrances, a resataurant and bar off the lobby and on-site laundry facilities we can stay inside no matter what it does outside, a nice cozy feeling right now.
Phil “Nowhere Man” Hough
