Episode 65: Day 152-154 (END OF 2016 HIKE)

Day 152:

Everything I own is wet, and so am I.

Trudged along for just over a mile in the pouring rain until I made it to the promised land – Timberline Lodge. It is warm, dry, and beautiful in every way (but mainly in the warm and dry ways).

Time to regroup and strategize. Should I take a quick respite and get back out there? I really don’t want to. But can I afford to pamper myself and take a second day off? Will that jeopardize my new goals? Let’s check the weather, fate should get a vote. Wow: 80-100% chance of rain until about 7pm… and then 80-100% chance of snow for the rest of the evening. And tomorrow? 30 degrees and sunny all day…. What do you think I decided to do? “One room at the lodge please!”

With that decision, I’m giving myself two days to cover 46 miles. Doable? Yes. Easy? Not a chance.

While I was waiting for the room, I picked up my re-supply box, did laundry, and snacked.

And I made a couple of phone calls. The first was with a taxi company, arranging a ride to Portland on Tuesday. The second was with my Dad, who really encouraged me to give this last stretch of trail my all. And so I will. Tomorrow I have decided to reach for a personal record, I’m going to hike 30 miles in a day. Let’s finish this thing strong!

1 mile today. And I’m okay with that.

The reason why I am not leaving the lodge today:

Me and all my friends enjoying the lodge:

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Day 153:

Morning!

Started hiking at 6:30am. The sun is out and the views are beautiful. Finally feeling good!

Hiked nonstop until around 3:30pm, when I ran into Rapunzel and Clicker. I haven’t seen Rapunzel since my second week on trail – literally two thousand miles ago! Apparently, they flipped and are hiking SOBO now. I told them about Oregon and they told me about Washington. We shared how we felt about the end of our hikes.

And then I hiked on.

At this point, I’ve done 18 miles – More than halfway there! Lets keep it going.

A few hours after sunset, I reached the trail junction for Eagle Creek, the alternate route to the Bridge of the Gods that’s more scenic and shorter (win-win). I’m calling it a night (it’s 9:15pm!).

I DID IT!!! A 30 MILE DAY!

30.7 MILES TODAY – in 15 hours (and yes, the 0.7 matters!)

So close, yet so far:

Woods:

Smile because its sunny:

My last sunset:

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Day 154:

COLD MORNING! 27 degrees. Started hiking at 6:45am. Just 15 miles to go!

WOW – The Eagle Creek alternate is epic! Fall colored leaves, moss everywhere, shiny stones. Oh, and waterfalls – lots and lots of waterfalls. This is seriously magical.

Eventually, I approached the PCT reconnect, and the Bridge of the Gods.

Since there isn’t a pedestrian crossing, hikers usually have to carefully keep to the sides of the bridge to avoid getting side-swiped by a passing car. But not this time. Because of some maintenance going on, half the bridge was closed – and so each direction of cars took turns using the single available lane.

When I approached and expressed my intent to cross on foot to the construction worker on the Southside, he radioed his Northside counterpart and they stopped traffic. And so I walked across the Bridge of the Gods alone  – just me. To my left and right are mountains, above me is a clear sky, below me is the Columbia River, behind me is Oregon, and ahead of me is Washington. Here I am in the middle of it all. This moment is just for me. And it’s a very special one.

I step into Washington.

Standing there soaking it all in. Reflecting on everything that has led up to this moment. Feeling overwhelmed. Doing my best to celebrate what I accomplished rather than dwell on what I didn’t. Realizing that I did an amazing thing. Understanding that its over. Wondering whats next. Asking myself if that matters.

Saying thank you to the mountains and the trail. Saying thank you to the hikers and the trail angels. Saying thank you to the bears and the marmots and even the mountain lion. Saying thank you to my mom. Saying thank you to everything and everyone that was part of my Pacific Crest Trail. Saying thank you to me. Thank you to my feet, to my body, to my life.

My phone rings. Now I have to go.

I walk back across the bridge and get into the cab. We drive away.

Goodbye my friend. You mean everything to me.

15 miles today.

2,144 miles so far.

Big ol’ leaf:

Waterfalls for days:

Bridge of the Gods:

WASHINGSTON:

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Video:

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Thank you for your support throughout this journey. It really means so much to me.

That’s all for now. Max out.