Day 108

Today I hiked another scenic alternate and finished Oregon! The Eagle Creek had formed a steep canyon on its way to the Columbia River and has dozens of spectacular waterfalls, including tunnel falls where the trail goes behind a huge waterfall. The trail down to the falls is wide and smooth, going through a forest that is carpeted with ferns and moss. The falls themselves have created pools which are great for swimming in the clear blue water. After Eagle Creek, I followed a bike trail by the river into Cascade Locks and to the Bridge of the Gods that will take us into Washington.

Steps taken today/total: 52,355/4,456,637
Miles walked today/total: 28.24/2,144.36
Elevation gained today/total: 4,882/358,752
Elevation lost today/total: 8,143/364,483

Day 107

Buffets are a wonderful thing, especially when they offer a hiker discount. Today we got to Timberline Lodge, a ski resort on Mt. Hood that is recognizable as the Overlook Hotel from Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. They provide an acclaimed buffet with many gourmet options, many using local products like the fresh huckleberry tarts. This was definitely the best meal I've had on trail, living up to the hype the southbound hikers were giving it. After eating (and some digesting) I got started hiking again, going around the west side of Mt. Hood and getting some spectacular views in the process. I completed the last two real climbs in Oregon and I'm looking forward to the Eagle Creek alternate tomorrow.

Steps taken today/total: 55,776/4,404,282
Miles walked today/total: 28.05/2,112.12
Elevation gained today/total: 5,555/353,870
Elevation lost today/total: 5,588/356,340

Day 106

The definite highlight of today was sinew excellent trail magic we received this afternoon. Whitewalker, a section hiker who did Oregon last year and northern California this year, brought a grill to a trailhead to celebrate finishing his section and to try to meet people he hiked with. He said he saw eight people he knew, which exceeded his expectations. Since he had been on the receiving end of trail magic before, he knew what people wanted and he put together a great setup of food and other things, like a phone charging station. Because of the allure of the magic, we had to hike past dark to get to our campsite at Wampanitia Pass.

Steps taken today/total: 59,742/4,348,506
Miles walked today/total: 31.61/2,084.07
Elevation gained today/total: 3,022/348,315
Elevation lost today/total: 4,273/350,752

Day 105

We continued around Mt. Jefferson through beautiful Jefferson Park. We were only there for a few miles, but there are dozens of side trails that would be fun to come back and explore. We then went up the biggest climb in Oregon and got a fantastic view of Mt. Hood. We dropped down into the forest and camped by a calm spring.

Steps taken today/total: 46,615/4,288,764
Miles walked today/total: 27.27/2,054.12
Elevation gained today/total: 5,260/345,293
Elevation lost today/total: 5,352/346,479

Day 104

We finally got out of Bend and back to the trailhead around 10. Today was spent hiking toward Mt. Jefferson, a snowcapped peak in central Oregon. I met three people today who are gunning for the PCT record books. First I met Daniel Boone, who is trying to become the youngest thru hiker ever on the PCT. A few miles later I ran into Flowers and Poptart who are going south in an effort to break Anish's fastest known time for an unsupported hike of 60 days.

Steps taken today/total: 50,122/4,242,149
Miles walked today/total: 26.45/2,024.85
Elevation gained today/total: 4,453/340,033
Elevation lost today/total: 4,598/341,127

Day 103

I don't know how, but we're still in Bend.

Steps taken today/total: 0/4,192,027
Miles walked today/total: 0/1,998.36
Elevation gained today/total: 0/335,580
Elevation lost today/total: 0/341,127

Day 102

After camping by the highway we hitched into Bend for a resupply and zero. We relaxed and got some great food at some of Bend's many great restaurants.

Steps taken today/total: 0/4,192,027
Miles walked today/total: 0/1,998.36
Elevation gained today/total: 0/335,580
Elevation lost today/total: 0/341,127