Category: Pacific Northwest Trail

Monday July 11th, 2022, 0730-2030Cedar Creek rd to Flume Creek Rd, WEBO mm 360.2 Segment 3 Selkirk Mountains 27.3 miles, Gain 5500′, Loss 5000′, elevation 2625 I heard some loud crashing noises overnight, but figured they could be any number of things. Then at 4:45 am, I heard footsteps that didn’t sound like a dog…too lumbering. My thoughts were on a large herbivore but I watched as a gigantic black figure glided past the front of my tent, 6 feet away. It wasn’t Chica the dog, much bigger, if that was even possible! I was grabbing for my bear spray as a full sized black bear casually passed without even a glance in my direction. It was already just past when[…]

Sunday July 10th, 2022, 1000-1530Northport to Trail Angel house on Cedar Creek rd., WEBO mm 387.5, Segment 3 Selkirk Mountains 13.5 miles, Gain 1680′, Loss 900′, elevation 1355 It was a late night and a little rough waking up in the morning. I had a short day planned, making it only as far as a trail angel’s house that was up the road. In discussion with Wolverine the night before, we’d hatched a plan to stick together for a difficult bushwhack section along a ridge in the Selkirk range. Given the difficulty of the route and possibly presence of grizzly bears in that area, it would be good to have a partner. The bushwhack wasn’t for another 100 miles, so I[…]

Saturday July 9th, 2022, 0600-1915Churchill Mine Rd to Northport, WEBO mm 400.8, Segment 4 Kettle Range22.5 miles, Gain 1790′, Loss 2670′, elevation 1355 The cows were on the mooove early in the morning, so I was woken by the moo alarm. My unwanted but constant companions. Well, when I follow cow trails to find a tent site, what do I expect? Have I mentioned that I stopped eating beef because of the environmental impact I’ve been witness to during all my hiking? Do you think the cows are aware of this and would cut me some slack? No, of course not. My spot was perfect otherwise, peaceful and dry. I was so happy to pack a dry tent and my shoes[…]

Friday July 8th, 2022, 0650-1915Rock slab camp to Churchill Mine Rd, WEBO mm 423.3, Segment 4 Kettle Range27.8 miles, Gain 3720′, Loss 5285′, elevation 2230 It got a little breezy after dark, such that I had to get up to reset a stake. I couldn’t get them in very far, seeing as how I was camped on a thin layer of soil on top a rock. I woke to a lot of condensation, even though the breeze was ventilating my tent very well. The air was just so laden with moisture and the dead trees did nothing to soak it up. I waited until kind of late to pack, letting the sun hit the tent for a bit. It was up[…]

Thursday July 7th, 2022, 0945-1945Sherman Pass HWY 20 to rock slab camp just north of Profanity Peak, WEBO mm 451.2, Segment 4 Kettle Range23.5 miles, Gain 4950′, Loss 5285′, elevation 5100 Another night in a soft warm bed was much appreciated. But I woke eager to get back on the trail. I bid farewell to Kerrie, as she was getting ready to lead her weekly hiking group somewhere just north of where I’d be starting. There was a slim chance I might see them on trail. Just as I left the house, I got texts from 2 hikers and another from a Trail Angel. Kerrie had given the hikers my number the night before, mentioning that I too was looking for[…]

Wednesday July 6th, 2022, 0610-1230Hall Creek rd to Thirteen Mile trailhead HWY 21, WEBO mm 500, Segment 4 Kettle Range17.3 miles, Gain 3000′, Loss 5500′, elevation 2043 I was happy to put some distance on, leaving the bad memories of the bushwhack behind me in the morning. A good night’s sleep had done wonders to reset my body and my attitude for more hiking. It rained for a few hours overnight. My tent has held up great to all the moisture but even more so, it’s provided an absolute sanctuary against the bugs…I would have gone INSANE by now without it. I don’t know how someone could put up with anything short of a tent in these environments. Cowboy camping and[…]

Tuesday July 5th, 2022, 1040-2000Sherman Pass to Hall Creek rd & bushwhack from hell junction, WEBO mm 485, Segment 4 Kettle Range13 miles, Gain 2400′, Loss 4200′, elevation 4570 It was a day of extremes, I’d have to say. For more than half of it I was in heaven, but the last half in hell. It started with a wonderfully comfortable night in a soft bed, warm and dry. I had coffee with Karrie in the morning, chatting about her career and interests. I was surprised to learn that she’s also really into scuba diving. I was dragging my feet this morning but eventually she proposed a ride up to the trailhead, provided I could help her bring her truck to[…]

Monday July 4th, 2022, 0600-1100West side of bushwack to HWY 21 Thirteen Mile Trailhead, WEBO mm 500, Segment 4 Kettle Range12.5 miles, Gain 750′, Loss 2500′, elevation 2050 I finished one section already and am onto the next. This trail has been going by pretty fast so far. Two back to back 30’s will do that! I was witness to an amazing sound overnight. I woke to the howls of wolves! This must be the year of the wolf for me, because I also heard one in Arizona on the MRT back in April. This time I heard a chorus of wolves, several times throughout the morning. Once or twice they sounded pretty close. I know this might have been cause[…]

Sunday July 3rd, 2022, 0600-1800Toroda Creek Rd to West side of Swan Lake bushwack, WEBO mm 512.3 Segment 5 Okanogan Highlands30.3 miles, Gain 5090′, Loss 4530′, elevation 3800 It was a good day, just a little wet. It started with light sprinkles overnight, which woke me up, having to deploy my my rain flaps. My stealth spot proved to be perfect otherwise. It was quiet (only a few cars passed all night) and you couldn’t even tell I’d been there once I packed in the morning. I wanted to sleep in a little but I knew it wasn’t good to linger on private property. I hit the road and had it all to myself for a few miles. Then I turned[…]

Saturday July 2nd, 2022, 0615-2000Hilltop to Toroda Creek Rd WEBO mm 542.6 Segment 5 Okanogan Highlands32 miles, Gain 2900′, Loss 3400′, elevation 3255 What a great second day on the trail! Or should I say road? For starters, I got a brilliant night’s sleep, without one disturbance. Ok, maybe one or two since I heard birds calling all night.  A chorus was going by 4 am and the morning light was already starting to peak through. I’ll never begrudge birdsong though, no matter how early. I pulled my buff over my eyes to block out the light…both to go to sleep and before waking. I allowed myself to sleep in until 5 am since I needed to catch up. This felt[…]