WalkingCarrot

These parts of the north Cascades remind me of the high Sierras. Awesome peaks and deep valleys, heavily glaciated and wild. A rugged beauty. But in the Sierras the trail follows river valleys up to high passes, where here in the cascades the trail follows ridges high above the river valleys and often drops into passes. The long ridge walks offer great views, even if the mountains are a little more distant.

We needed to do an 18 mile day to set up for a 15 mile walk into Manning tomorrow, with few good camping options just shorter

lunch in sunshine
richard caught up
camp at hopkins lake, glacial bowl
The larch are turning more golden with each passing day as fall comes at us in full swing with colder nights.

full moon rising
warmth of fire, comradeship and dad for the last night on trail

It has been very special to have my dad hike with us, especially since he did this section with me at the end of my ’94 thru-hike. A unique opportunity for us both to share this part of the trail experience. The days have been more difficult for him this time around but he has really hung right in there , moving along a a slow and steady pace.

deer in camp
approaching the end with mixed feelings.
Melancholy that the journey, and the experiences of trail life, will be over. That friends we have met will be gone in different directions. It will be over and that we will need to return to a reality of different expectations, standards and understandings.

But, we are ready to finish, the feet are ready to rest, we know that rain and cold will soon return to the land and that we would be more comfortable indoors.

Phil “Nowhere Man” Hough