Miles Hiked: 21
Start Location: Mile 1978
End Location: Mile 1999
End Location GPS: 44.42378, -121.84971
I woke up early and was hiking by six as the low sun was just beginning to strike the sharp granite peaks to my west. The morning was tough walking through a lava bed of dark, loose rock for several miles which left my feet and ankles sore. The rest of the morning was spent traversing a significant burn area- hot and exposed.
I arrived a little before 1:30 at Santiam Pass where my private shuttle service was waiting for me with donuts and beer. I wish this kind of treatment could happen at every road crossing.
We went to Sisters, a tourist town south of the pass, with a tacky western theme where all the buildings look the same. We had lunch and did laundry and resupplied at the grocery store. We drank some beers at the campground and then went to Three Rivers brewery for dinner.
I was able to talk to Carolyn and she wants to come back to the trail in about a week and hike Washington. This makes me happy. She’s doing well and resting up. I think she just needed some time away from the trail for a little bit.
