Made it to Washington!

After a long four months we finally made it to the bridge of the gods which marks the Oregon/Washington border. Oregon was filled with fires, rain, and beautiful views. My favorites being Crater Lake, the Obsidian Wilderness, Mount Jefferaon, Mount Hood, Three Fingered Jack and Tunnel Falls. 

You can't really see them in the background but from left to right you could see Mt. St Helens, Mt. Rainer, and Mt. Adams. 

Crater Lake and half way through Oregon

Sorry about the lack of posts through Oregon. It's been a great state so far and has lived up to all the hype of basically being flat compared to the other two. 

We hiked around the rim of Crater Lake a few days ago and it was one of those spots where you stop every half mile to take in the view. 

The past three days we've had constant rain with thunder and lightning mixed in. With the brief moments of sun I managed to get my stuff dried out. And tomorrow the weather is suppose to get better. 

Highest point other than the watchman tower around Crater Lake. 

Wildflowers in the burn area

Rain rain and more rain

Tomorrow we will hit mile 2000. I'm stoked!

Oregon to Crater Lake

After hiking more than three months through the state of California we were 37 miles short of the Oregon border. Turns out that much of the west coast went up in flames around te same time, including much of Northern California and Southern Oregon. We were stuck in a tough place deciding wether to risk it and hike past the fire that was a few miles east of the trail or hitch the 65 miles to Ashland missing the long anticipated border. After hours of going over the same two options we played it safe and went around. 

Most people went around the trail closures missing anywhere from 65-500 miles. Needless to say Ashland was packed with hikers. There's another fire scare around mile 1800 that we'll be running into tomorrow. Hopefully it's a calm day and we can get past it quickly. 

I'll try to update this on fire news when I can. If everything goes well we should be done with Oregon around the 20th. It's also where I'm planning on attempting a 40 mile day. 

Less than 100 from Oregon

After a few forest fires, extremely hot weather and a hail storm we made it into Etna, CA. We're 92 miles from Oregon and about to be counting down the miles from 1000. The pace has still been fast, hiking somewhere between 25 and 30 miles per day. It's been enjoyable though. Minus the sore legs and feet every morning. 

From a ridge we got to watch the fire crews put out the fires that were all around us. 

Our next stop is Ashland and I can't begin to explain how excited I am to finally be out of California. With less than two months to go, the end is in sight. The hike has been amazing but it's frightening to think about the trail coming to an end. 

Half way and then some

A few days back we hit the long anticipated half way point and marked the 1325 mile. I carried a 12 pack of beer up the 6000 foot climb so we had something to celebrate with (I also left some trail magic at the top of the hill for a few lucky hikers behind me). 

We're still doing big miles to make it to Oregon by the first. I'll be meeting my parents and uncle once I get to Ashland and I'll finally get a day off. It's been over 500 miles since our last zero day and by the time we hit Ashland it will be around 800. I can't wait. 

Today Byrd and I took a detour to go see the bridge where they filmed stand by me. Turns out they tore up all the tracks so we didn't get to do a train dodge but we got a couple good pictures. 

And now the trail...I have a few good pictures of sunsets and waterfalls. We went past Lassen and will be at Shasta in a little over two days. 

Sierra City to the Brattens

We made it in and out of Sierra City in one piece and without losing a bunch of miles. Our next stop is Belden where we'll find out last trail angels for a while (the Brattens). 

Doing 26 mile days starts to wear on you both physically and mentally. Doing 18-20s made it seem like there wasn't enough time in the day, 26 is a whole new ball game. But we are making some good progress which is nice. You also get to catch up with people you haven't seen for hundreds of miles. 

The half way mark is coming up at 1330 and it's one of the major mile markers for me. That and getting out of California. 

Tahoe was amazing

1000 miles and Tahoe

We made it to the 1000 mile mark which was exciting and a big milestone for the trail. This achievement was quickly followed by the realization that we have only made it 1000 miles in a little over two months, with 1660 to go. The last few days we have averaged a tad over 24 miles a day and it's looking like it will be a 25 mile a day average to make it to Oregon before August. 

I think leisure tour is officially over. 

The Sierras were beautiful but I'm glad to not have granite steps to deal with anymore. The trail seems to be getting easier the further north we go and it's reminding me more and more of the desert in Southern California. 

We'll be in South Lake Tahoe today for a quick resupply and maybe some lunch. 

The first three steps of every morning are always questionable. You never know if your feet and legs are going to give out or if you'll be good for the day. Today was a new record of 32 miles in a day and I have a feeling I might fall over tomorrow

Cooking dinner before bed as I wait out the mosquitos in my tent