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PCT, Stevens to Snoqualmie pass


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Home Forums Campfire Member Trip Reports PCT, Stevens to Snoqualmie pass

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Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
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  • #1238255
    Matthew Steingass
    BPL Member

    @steingass

    Locale: Washington

    This was my first long distance solo trip and luckily all wen't well. Temps were definitely warmer, both night and day, then I was used to with highs close to 90 and lows in the 60s. My total pack weight was just under 20 lbs with 7 lbs of food, 2L of water and a 8.5 pound base pack weight. I averaged about 19 miles a day over 4 days and gained a lot of much needed knowledge.

    July 26,
    Met my first group of hikers on top of Stevens pass ski resort. One of them snapped the only picture I have of myself from the whole trip.
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    Very early on I was longing for a Tenkara setup with the abundance of beautiful lakes.
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    Spent my first night here at Deception lakes.
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    July 27,
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    The Mount Daniel stream crossing.
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    Cathedral rock.
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    Deep lake, Buggiest place I've ever been.
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    My favorite camp was at Waptus lake. I found a secluded Island camp site with beautiful views in every direction.
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    July 28,
    I slept in and took my time at Waptus lake in the morning finally leaving around 11.
    153

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    The most scenic section on the trail IMHO was Escondido ridge.
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    A thunder storm was rolling in and just after I took this picture a bolt of lightning struck right in my frame about a mile away.
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    Causing this.
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    On the way down I crossed paths with some backpackers going the opposite way. They warned me that the Lemah creek bridge was out but there was a short detour with a calf high ford. Shortly after I talked to them It started to rain and I could tell by the increase in mountain runoff that I was going straight to the ford.

    By the time I got there it had been raining steadily for over 3 hours and the stream was now definitely deeper than calf deep. I scouted around and found the washed out bridge.
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    I used my brunton ADC pro to measure the now thigh high water temp and speed at 51.3F and 6.4 MPH.

    Due to my late start I came into Spectacle lake at 9:30 and wen't straight to bed.

    July 29,
    It was dark when I came in, so when I woke up in the morning I was stunned by the scenery around me.
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    From above
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    Looking back at Kendall catwalk
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    Snoqualmie pass
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    All in all I had a great trip. Luckily water was plentiful on the trail and I even drank some untreated water for the first time on my last day out totaling about 4 liters. I haven't started to pee out my butt yet so thats a good sign. My only injuries were sun burned/bug bitten arms and 2 small blisters on my toes so I'm going to try some Injinji socks and a long sleeve shirt. There was a good amount of overgrowth and tons of biting bugs but only a little snow on trail and a few blowdowns.

    #1518081
    t.darrah
    BPL Member

    @thomdarrah

    Locale: Southern Oregon

    Very nice trip and great pictures. Thanks!

    #1518137
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Brings back fond memories. Wish I could take pictures like yours.

    #1518156
    Matthew Steingass
    BPL Member

    @steingass

    Locale: Washington

    Thanks guys. My secret to getting a good photo is taking 10 bad ones first.

    #1518176
    Rick Dreher
    BPL Member

    @halfturbo

    Locale: Northernish California

    Great trip report and photos Matthew, and a classic Cascade route. Nineteen miles/day—you were flying. Well done!

    (I've hiked all that trail, but never strung together.)

    Cheers,

    Rick

    #1518205
    Jared Cook
    Member

    @rooinater

    Locale: Northwet

    Thanks for the pics to fuel the fire. I'm headed out that way in a couple weeks. We'll be taking 5 days or so to do that section northbound (I'm bringing fishing gear), Than with luck I'll be headed solo past stevens to rainy pass. Great pics and thanks for the trip report!

    #1518208
    Matthew Steingass
    BPL Member

    @steingass

    Locale: Washington

    The fish were really active at the Waptus Lake island with room to cast all around. I could also count the amount of biting bugs I saw while I was there on 1 hand too which was a nice change. You'll have to post some fly fishing photos for us when you get back. Good luck.

    #1518366
    Jared Cook
    Member

    @rooinater

    Locale: Northwet

    I'll try to get the group to get plenty of fly fishing pics to share. I've been collecting all my flies, and need to refill my fly box with extras of all the ones that have been working in the alpine lakes so far.

    #1520771
    Steven Tomson
    BPL Member

    @srtomson

    Locale: Washington/Idaho

    Great pictures and report. I am doing this leg north bound leaving 08/29. Can't hardly wait to get their. Hondo

    #1521247
    Tom Clark
    BPL Member

    @tomclark

    Locale: East Coast

    You have some great photos. I especially liked the thunderclouds and trail through the woods.

    #1528116
    todd
    BPL Member

    @funnymo

    Locale: SE USA

    Awesome Pics! Gotta say….that sunset was one of the greatest I've ever seen.

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