So after the stretch of rain, misfortunes and pushing 30 miles days. I decided it was time to slow down and start to enjoy myself again. Especially just finding out that the Canadian border is now reopened! 🎉
My friend Tiff picked me up on Wednesday and I spent a few nights of eating awesome food in Seattle and exploring. Friday afternoon, I said good bye to Seattle and made my way back to Snoqualmie, ready to start the next stretch of trail.
There’s a few major differences though. After 2400 miles, I finally decided it was time to pick up a stove and cook some hot meals! Oh the joys of having hot food!
Also, it was time to layer up as it was definitely starting to get cold. I picked up my Patagonia heavyweight baselayer and while browsing in REI, I discovered to my surprise that the jacket I have been eyeing for like 6 months, the Patagonia micro puff, is on sale for half off! I have always wanted one but never pulled the trigger because of the price but I eventually commited not wanting to give up such good deal!
Lastly, I picked up the full sized tripod again. This monster weighs 1.6 pounds! But I thought if I was going to cruise through to the border, I might as well take some luxury.
So after all this, my pack became heavy again. 😂
Leaving Snoqualmie
Arriving at Snoqualmie trail head 6pm Friday evening, you can guess I was feeling motivated. So 3 miles later, I pulled off the trail, found a nice shaded camping spot and pulled out my new stove to try it out for the first time. I was feeling pretty excited.
The new stove
After timidly lighting the lighter after turning on the gas, the stove roared into flames and I carefully set my stove on top and prepped my delicious pack of instant noodles. Oh my goodness it was amazing! What have I been doing this whole time! Also I had a sad realization that this meals comes pretty close to a meal I would have back at home.
Over the next 4 days, I used that stove about 4 times a day like a kid with his new Christmas present. Made myself hot chocolate, coffee in the morning and multiple hot meals.
The 12 Miles day
The next morning, I woke up at 7 (sleeping in!) and made myself coffee out of the new stove. It was getting pretty cold sleeping at night so I was very happy for the extra layers.
It was the first time in a while where I didn’t have a goal, I had enough food… I think, nowhere to rush to and going to slowly make my way to Steven’s pass.
I picked a good section to slow down because it was beautiful!
Good morning Washington
Incredible lake view in the morning
It was the long weekend so I ran into a bunch of people doing all kinds of activities
At around 2 pm, I came across a beautiful place overlooking some incredible mountains and Spectacle lake, a beautiful lake of deep blue. I thought about the trail ahead. It pretty much goes downhill from here and eventually leads to spectacle lake which would be filled with weekend campers. I really doubted that the views would get better than this. So even though I have only hiked 12 miles, I decided to stop.
Isn’t this view worth the early stop?
So at 2pm, I lazily set up camp on the edge of the cliffs and settled in to spend the afternoon and evening relaxing and reading a book instead of listening to one as I usually do as I hike. I even decided to message my friend Sarah on the inReach, asking her to check the cloud cover so I can see if I can do some night photography that night. I know, it’s a great way to use the inReach.
Definitely worth it
New Friends and hanging out
The next few days, I unfortunately had to do a little bit more to compensate for the lack of motivation. Still, doing 20 to 25 miles a day gave me plenty of time to use my stove and talk to other people. Labor day weekend is great for one thing, lots of weekend hikers who packed way too much food and was happy to give me their extras. 😋
While I was taking a break, I ran into someone I met one night 1000 miles ago. It’s kinda funny the people you end up bumping into over and over again.
Meet X-static
Soon enough, I was hanging out and hiking with X-static and his trail friend Upstream.
Upstream!
We had a lot of time to relax in beautiful meadows in the next few days. Spent lunch lounging around and listening to talented musicians play
Impromptu jam session
Nemo with his incredible guitar skills
X-static and his ukulele
The trail also came with some incredible scenery.
Now that I am so close to the border. I realize that it’s hard to want to push fast. I more and more wanted to savor the rest of Washington and make the rest of the trail more memorable. So no more 30 mile days, carrying everything I want and enjoying the rest of the beautiful nature Washington has to offer.
