August 24, Day 127: ALT-2198.9-2220.4
Miles Hiked: 31.5
Gratitude of the Day: I’m thankful for the ability to go from having a plan to hike 25 miles in a day to 31.5 in a day.
The whole Salty Butt Bandits camped at Panther Creek Campground last night with the intentions of taking the alternate route, which was a 10 mile road walk past Panther Creek Falls. I left camp at 6:30 and started the walk up the road. Soon after a truck went by and Sunshine was sitting in the back hitching the road walk. I didn’t realize it but Zippy, Clancy and Shakedown had all hitched by me as well. I took my time getting up the road and back to trail, taking breaks along the way and enjoying the green tunnel that was the road and the trail.
Shortly after I passed the 2200 mile mark and walked a ridge that gave me views of Mt Hood to the south, Mt Adam’s to the east and Mt St Helens to the west. I stopped at Sheep Lake to filter water and take another break thinking the crew would catch up soon but no one came along. So I walked a little further to Blue Lake and took lunch there setting up my hammock and relaxing… still no Salty Butt Bandits. Finally I messaged the group and that’s when I found out that I was behind. So I left the lake at 3:30 already having done 19.5 miles and hoofed it an additional 14 miles to catch up. The trail was super beautiful all day with the views, lakes and trees. Tonight I’m camped 9.5 miles out from the road into Trout Lake where I’ll resupply and get a meal before heading out to walk one of the most anticipated sections of the trail for me, walking the Knifes Edge in the Goat Rocks Wilderness.
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