Ashland, Or - Crater Lake, Or

Mile 1716 - 1829

Our main goal of this day off was to buy, pack, and ship 5 resupply boxes (5 weeks of food) farther North.  Most of the time we buy in towns along the way, but in parts of Oregon and Washington the towns are too small for a grocery store.  Most have a convenient store that we can use to supplement our boxes.  One place I contacted is so small that the guy told me to make up an address with my name on it.  All the mail comes to the dock on a lake and sits there until you pick it up.  I guess there not a lot of people that want to steal our hiker boxes.  

Without a car our day was pretty hectic.  A mile walk to the grocery then a mile back with backpacks full of food.  Each of us also had to carry a box and bag.  We really looked like two homeless people.  

After mailing all the boxes we still had time to see a matinee.  It was nice to be out of the heat.  A cool theater, large blue slushy, and all you can eat buttery popcorn!  

We decided to be in no rush the next morning.  It was Sunday and our favorite TV show CBS Sunday Morning would be on.  We laid in bed eating crappy continental breakfast and enjoying a little bit of "normal" life.  

A quick stop at Subway for a sandwich to go and we were back on the trail.  

Our hiker bubble seems to have broken up and only 3 of the Peloton remain (Dirty Bowl, Weekend at Bernie's, and Double Happiness).  I know, these hikers have some very interesting hiker names.  

Today we hiked through rolling hills, meadows of dry golden grass, and a couple good springs.  Shadow has become a little lax when it coming to purifying his water.  If it comes directly from the ground and is cold he drinks it straight.  I on the other hand, have had a bout with Loosey Goosey on the AT and do not want deal with that again.

Tonight we are camping near In and Out.  He is from Boise and is hiking the Oregon portion of the PCT.  It was nice to have someone new and fresh to talk with.  We love section hikers.  They are always happy and having a great time.  Sometimes thru-hikers this far into the hike begin to take things for granted.  

The day was hot, but after finding a soft, flat, grassy spot to sleep, a breeze began to blow.  

There are 3 things a PCT hiker is thinking about one they cross into Oregon.  1, I can't wait to see Crater Lake.  2, I can't wait to do some damage at the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet at Timberline Lodge.  3, I can't wait to cross The Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks.  I think these are the main ones anyway.  The terrain is not flat, but rolling hills and your in the trees a lot.  The trail took us NorthEast after Ashland and we are officially in the Cascade Mountains.  We are also on the Ring of Fire and will be passing lots of volcanoes.   

We are currently thinking about getting to Crater Lake.  I, am also thinking about the box of MEGA stuffed Golden Oreos Shadow has in his pack.

Today was another long and hot day.  We made it 29 miles to Brown Shelter.  One of the few shelters on this trail.  We weren't the only hikers that thought of the Appalachian Trail while here.  Someone had carved an AT symbol on the picnic table.

This morning we spent miles crossing old lava flows.  It's amazing how old these lava rocks are.  They hurt my feet and tear the soles of your shoes.  Around 10am we came across a raspberry bush.  What a treat. 

This afternoon we passed Mt. McLoughlin and Four Mile Lake.  Now that we are back to 6,000ft the day doesn't seem as hot.  We had been warned about mosquitos around here.  About and hour before getting to camp we were swarmed.  Normally a 3mph pace will keep them off, but not these.  We even had a breeze.  Once we stopped for the night I quickly put on my header, rain pants, and jacket to keep them away.  

Today is what hikers call "Setup Day".  It's were you adjust your distance based on the time of day you want to arrive in town.  In this case we setup for Mazama Village In Crater Lake National Park.  Each hiker we see has the same question about Mazama. "Does the restaurant have a buffet?"  and "What are the restaurant hours?"  Other than getting to Canada, our main motivation is the information we get through the PCT grapevine about upcoming food.  We have positioned ourselves 5 miles from the restaurant in hope of going in for breakfast.  

Speaking of food, our dinner last night was a disaster.  I'll save you all the details, but we tried to eat it. After a few bites we agreed to bury it.  You know it's bad when a hungry hiker buries it like a morning constitution.  Luckily Shadow had extra snacks.  Our wholesome dinner consisted of 1 Butterfingers, 1 Payday, 2 boxes of raisins, and 4 mega stuffed Oreos.  Our mothers would be so proud.

This morning we passed what may or may not have been Huckleberries.  We each had a few. Shadow, the wild berry expert said. "I think that if the berries were poisonous they would taste bad."  Good enough for me.  Our topo map showed us walking through the Oregon Desert.  Which I guess is why we had to carry water for 19.9 miles today.  Tomorrow we have to carry water for 27 miles.  Our last water for today was a creek covered with baby frogs.  For about a quarter mile frogs would leap as fast as they could off the trail.  During our lunch break we saw a group going by with snorkel gear.  We of course questioned them.  Apparently the lakes around here have coral and sandy beaches.