Day 122
Start: US-26
Finish: Timberline Lodge
Daily Mileage: 10.3
PCT Mile: 2099.6
Though we camped near a US highway with plenty of traffic, it was not hard to get the rest we needed last night. In the morning it was chilly, but good hiking weather.
Forested uphill we hardly noticed, across a gap and another highway, and then we started the climb up the flanks of Mt. Hood in earnest.
The grade was once again easy as seems par for the course in Oregon, and we flew up that as well. In no time we were closing in on Timberline Lodge which was 10 miles distant this morning, but nearby when the clock struck 8.
As we climbed up Mt. Hood, the trees parted and became more sporadic, allowing us to see what we were doing. The trail was climbing between some steep sandy gullies, with glacial runoff in the streams far below. Way more dramatic than anything we had seen in the past few days, and it was great to have a change in pace.
Arriving at the lodge, I found that my second attempt at getting my shoes replaced had failed due to an incorrect address in Farout. That app is completely unreliable, and I should have known better than to have trusted it. My shoes were a couple hours away with no clear way to get them. Thankfully, my girlfriend Kate who had shipped them was on it and hopefully got them redirected here either today or tomorrow which should work out. As of right now I have 2 pairs of shoes somewhere in the void that I’ve attempted to have shipped to me now. I really need the shoes as mine are shot, too tight, and hurting my feet. I hope I can get them before I leave.
Honeybun and I decided to splurge and get a room in the pricy Timberline Lodge since we were here and it is a historical building with fantastic timber and stone construction. It was a bit more opulent than I was even expecting with massive beams and fireplaces. Quite the place to explore.
The hotel allowed us to check in very early since our room was available before heading to the fabled lunch buffet which is purported to be the best and most filling meal on the trail.
The room was full of hikers but also many other families, and the food was good and filling.
We relaxed in our beautiful surroundings for the rest of the day.