Another Birthday on Trail

It's been almost two years since Adam became my ninth backpacking virgin to deflower. He was looking for some solace in the outdoors back then; and life being what it is, another immersion into nature was in order. Last time he mentioned that a campground instead of a backpack may be more to his liking, and so I took a quick look on recreation.gov to see what might be available on a summer weekend near Seattle - with very little hope if I'm honest.

One lone green dot in the Easton Lake State Park Campground...and low and behold, it was just 10 minutes away from a hike that has been sitting in my "to do" list forever. And it was on my birthday! A definite trail gift, so I grabbed it before it disappeared, and prayed Adam had the day off. 

He was game for the adventure, even though he had to be at work in Seattle at 9 am Saturday. Time was not on our side, as I had to work Friday, the day of our reservation. But we were determined to make it happen. 

Rushing out of work a little early at noon, I was able to pick up Adam and get to the campground just a half hour after check in time. We threw up the tents and got to the trailhead by 4 pm. 

I had read that the Easton Ridge hike was a very popular one, so I was relieved to see just a couple cars in the small lot. The trail shares it's start with the also popular Kachess Ridge Trail, which the other hikers must have been doing because we saw not a soul for the four hours we were there. 

Do I look slightly over heated? ;) Thank you Adam for carrying my pack!!

"Not for couch potatoes" is how the Washington Trail Association webpage describes this hike, and they aren't kidding. I would compare it to Mount Si, only shorter but steeper - and WAY prettier. One thing to be aware of; you will come to a nice view point with a rock to climb on and it will totally feel like you are done.

58 and feeling great! But you ain't done girl ;)

But you're not. Thankfully I was using my All Trails, and though we both had a hard time believing that going just a short distance further would get us a better view, we wanted to say we did the whole thing. So we braved the mess of a trail to the official end and WOW. Do not be fooled by the false summit and be sure to push on! (I got a total of 7 miles tracked, though it's stated as being a 6 mile up and back with 2,270 feet elevation gain.)

NOW you're done

 

Adam did say his mind felt clear and calm while we hiked, but unfortunately the nature therapy ended when we got back to camp. Though the Easton Lake Campground has a great wilderness feel, what you don't see is the train that runs ALL THE TIME that boarders the park. Ridiculous for what I think is a stupidly expensive price of $50 a night, so I'm going to be sticking with my backpack for any future trips in that area. I will also give you the tip that it looked like there was plenty of dispersed camping options on the road to the trailhead. (Though probably not quiet either, as it looked like a dirt biker's playground.)

I'll confess I did pay that same ridiculous price for another campsite that I drove to after dropping off Adam and picking up my husband (going over both Snoqualmie and Stevens Pass in one day!) but the birthday celebration had to continue! Except I had used this Hipcamp in Plain before, so I knew this one was worth the money. I hate to talk too much about it, because I would hate for it to get too busy (as if I'm some huge influencer) but you can watch my short YouTube video mashup if interested. I'm going to end with the same trail blessing I used last time...Happy "always bring the earplugs" trails!

Sammie made a friend

   

Lunch Ladies on the Sunshine Coast Trail

I am a proud lunch lady. At least I try to be, even though it's hard when people make comments like "isn't that just cutting up carrots?' But it helps when you hear someone announce without hesitation when asked what they do for a living, "I am a lunch lady." And that's exactly what my hiking partner, Sarah, did when we sat for breakfast at the picnic table on top of Manzanita Bluff with several other backpackers. 

Sarah was barely able to come with me on this adventure, as I asked her sort of last minute when my sister WISELY decided a 3 day excursion into Canadian black bear territory was probably not the best plan for someone's first backpacking experience. And because Sarah couldn't give me a definitive answer until only a few days before, I reached out to a few people on a public Sunshine Coast Trail Facebook group to say that I may be able to join them on their trips. (Getting to the start of this trail is not cheap, and so sharing expenses is kind of a must. Especially if you're a lunch lady!) 

As we were waiting for our final Boat Taxi to take us to Sarah Point (it was destiny for her to go there!) I was chatting with another passenger and quickly realized he was one of the people I had reached out to about possibly joining forces with. "Looks like we were meant to hike together!" Alex said with a smile.

And so there we all were on the morning of day two, with another sweet couple who also shared the boat taxi with us, trying to enjoy our meal as we swatted mosquitoes while asking questions to get to know each other. And as soon as Sarah (who is also a massage therapist) declared she was a lunch lady, Alex lit up and practically shouted, "ME TOO!"

I understood why he then had to explain how he used to work in restaurants and such until he couldn't stand it anymore and now he loves what he does...nobody usually believes working at a school and serving kids is a respectable occupation that someone would enjoy. But when I said "I'm a lunch lady too" you could see his pride smile come on strong. Hell yes, we are the fucking lunch ladies and we rock!!!

Lunch Ladies Unite!!

 

So this is why even though there were TWENTY EIGHT kids camping there with us (SURPRISE!) as part of a nature experience group of some sort, I just couldn't be upset. (Though, it took me a minute, I'll admit!) Working with kids is hard and under appreciated- but SO very needed. And these kids were just as sweet as they come...although loud and obnoxious too...as all children are.  

A quiet moment

So here's to all the lunch ladies, camp counselors, crossing guards, school bus drivers and the like -- hold your heads up high!! But Rusty (the brave man leading the nature group) I do hope for next year you decide to split into smaller groups or go somewhere else, because 28 kids at the Manzanita Hut is way too many! Happy "always bring earplugs" trails! Hiking itinerary below for anyone interested, as always. Oh, and my YouTube video too. 

This is what happens when there's not enough space! Yikes!!

 

TRAIL LOG: 

(I apologize to all Canadians that I'm using miles instead of kilometers. It's embarrassing that the metric system just never took with us Americans, but my old brain is now stuck in it's rut.) 

Day One: After picking up Sarah at the school she works at, we drove across the border to our first ferry at Horseshoe Bay. Canadians are not messing around with their ferries!! I mean TOP NOTCH! Though because we were so enthralled and excited, we forgot to take note where we parked. Usually this is not something to worry about on a ferry, but these ones are HUGE. Thank God we finally found the car before we landed, because nobody wants to be that person. Then you catch another ferry at Earl's Cove, and by the time you disembark, it's going to be too late to start hiking. So we got a campsite at Kent's Beach Campsites which is just a half hour from where we needed to be next day.

Day Two: After leaving our car at the Shinglemill Pub where we would end our hike (I always say that I love a hike that ends at a bar!) we walked up the road to catch the bus. It's a half hour ride to Lund, where the boat taxi is. There is also the option of booking a shuttle from just about anywhere on the trail, and actually that might be your only option because water taxis are reliant on tides and weather and not always available. Speaking of the water taxi...although beautiful and fun, there is another reason this might not be for everyone. There is no dock or beach to disembark on...the captain has to maneuver right next to a big rock ledge and then you have to hurry off while he carefully keeps the boat close enough so you don't fall in the water. Then he throws you your backpack. Don't tighten it he says - not until you climb up the rock to the trail...y'know in case you slip. Don't want that backpack to pull you to the bottom of the ocean! I mean shit...this was not in the brochure! ;) Anyways, then it's about 10 miles to the hut. It felt like more. And I don't know the elevation...somewhere around 2,000 feet I think. Again, it felt like more. My sister would have killed me. 

The only sign I could find that said Sarah Point! 

 

Day Three: Originally we planned to do the 10 miles to the next hut, and then another 10 out so we had an extra day to stay at a hotel before the long trip home. But before we left I cheaped out and changed it so we would camp just 4 miles from the end so we would have time to make it home same day without the hotel. So this day was going to be 8 miles. But the hotel stay got back in our heads. So it was back to 10. Then we got to the place where it's a big elevation gain for the last two miles and I was done. Hiking is always about adapting and making the pivot. So I camped, and Sarah continued because she knew she didn't want to do those extra miles in the morning. It worked out perfect for both of us. 

I love being alone...I guess because I'm a Otrovert? 

Day Four: I got up early and made it to Sarah while she was just finishing breakfast. Even though we had off and on rain, this was my favorite day. I was not expecting much, but this section is so beautiful. Mossy and magical with streams and pools and waterfalls...pure joy. 

Until the decent from Scout Mountain into town...then it's pure hell. But then there's a burger and beer to make it all better! So, I did around 12 miles and Sarah did 10-ish. Alltrails has this section at 30.3 miles with 6,620 feet of gain; but we all know Alltrails can't be trusted. But I can tell you this--the elevation is not PCT kind of gain, but the AT type of gain (steep ups and downs over and over, which I think is way harder) so you really want to be sure to have trekking poles for this one. I do hope to go back and finish the whole thing next year, which is around another 80 miles. I am keeping my "never finish a full trail in one go" non-thru hiker status going strong, haha. 

I have to have at least one pic of Sammie! This was at the first campground.

Rerouting on the Arizona Trail

I must have at least five sheets of paper with scribbled down daily mileage of different AZT plans. Maybe even more. When I sent a picture of yet anther rendition of our itinerary to my hiking partners saying "I think this works better," Mary's response was simply "rerouting...rerouting..." 😜

But as I explained to Janet as we were hiking along on day two or three, I need to "massage" an idea for quite a while before it feels right. Therefore, before this expedition became a reality, it was a fall trip switched to spring; then a NOBO changed to SOBO.

I do believe the AZT is the easiest trail to make (and unmake) plans on. From a couple days to the whole enchilada, the Arizona Trail Association's excellent website has everything you need to come up with a strategy that works for you. Plus you'll be hard pressed to find a trail with better (or more beautiful) signage along the way. 

(Plus a few creative unofficial signs 😄) 

And so our Mormon Lake to Pine outing was a complete success! Adding this trip's miles to last year's gives me a total of 151.5 towards my 500 mile goal. And I've already started several sheets of notes on my hopes and dreams for a Grand Canyon adventure next year. Fingers crossed! Happy "well massaged" trails! Daily log below for those interested. 

Day One: We switched to SOBO for one simple reason...it was easier. Mostly flat miles in Passage 29, which is super helpful when you are carrying 7 days of food. We started at the forest road 240 intersection which is just before the Double Springs Campground. (This forest road is not bad BTW, and easier than going all the way around as Google Maps "prefers.")  Mary's husband was kind enough to pick us up at the airport and drive us straight there.

This meant a late start and therefor a short day of just 5 miles to Navajo Spring. If you watch my YouTube video, you'll see we found a charred downed tree here that the winds had kicked back into flame! After doing our best at extinguishing it, we got enough reception to call the fire department who actually came out to make sure. They explained that "controlled" burning had been done in that area a week prior. Winds are good at making something that seemed "out" suddenly not at all out. (And actually not suddenly--I mean a whole week later!)

Day Two: 11.8 miles to Shuffs Tank. I expected an actual "tank" of some kind, but was thankful to have a pond instead. These are designed and created for animal use...which of course makes them a bit nasty. (Be sure your filter is in good working order before doing anything on the AZT!) 

When finally catching up to Mary, who was already set up, I was SO ready to be done for the day...except when I went to put up my tent, my poles were not in the pocket I always keep them in. PANIC! We discussed a plan for me to take minimal gear and go back to find where I could only guess they fell out at a break 3 miles back. I would camp, then catch up the next day. I was so proud of myself for not crying. But then I picked up my TYVEK sheet that I had thrown on the ground, and lo and behold, my tent poles were hiding underneath. I must have taken them out with ZERO memory of it. WHAT RELIEF! Plus a little worry at my malfunctioning brain. 

Day Three: 11.4 miles to Dave's Tank, which is a half mile off trail, so 11.9.  My idol, the great Twig herself, was heading NOBO and would be meeting us there for the night. She had to slow her gait to a mere 20 for two days in a row so we could have this rendezvous, which made us feel quite special.

I swear I did not plan this trip to stalk her! It was pure coincidence...or maybe fate? I say that because I ended up loaning her my extra puffy vest (yes I was being a baby because of the cold and decided last minute to bring it along) since she didn't have one. She had been hiking in triple digits for most of this trail, so a puffy did not make the cut for her ultra-light pack. But DAMN it was cold, so she was very grateful for the extra warmth. Two other awesome thru hiker ladies joined us and we had a wonderful girl party until the wind/sleet/snow sent us to our tents.

Twig messaged me a few days later to say she was "living" in the vest 😄

Day Four: From Dave's Tank it's 15.3 (15.8 with the half mile back to trail) to the Blue Ridge Campground. The wet from the night before had turned the trail into mud that stuck on your shoes like Velcro, so the first half of the day was quite challenging.

If you haven't guessed already, Mary hikes almost twice our speed, so she was once again all set up and waiting at the end of the day; but this time with a cozy fire all ready. The CG is not officially open this time of year, so you need to have your own water. (A cache can be found a mile away that is stocked by the wonderful trail angels...another benefit of going SOBO was we were able to grab some just before getting to the CG.)

Day Five: 12.5 miles to the General Springs Canyon...or something like that. There are many spots in this beautiful area and I'm unsure exactly where we stopped for the night. Mary claimed it, as she was always our scout.

She also had to be our water manager because both Janet and I were worried our filters had frozen the night before. We passed quite a few "celebrity" thru hikers this day...yet another perk of going SOBO was they were all coming our direction. "Smiles" was my favorite and I'm convinced I need to give out "slowest hiker" stickers from now on! (With Sammie on it of course!)

It's fun getting stickers on trail! Thank you, Smiles!!

Hiking Super Stars...Milkman, Hiking Viking and Jolly

Lieutenant Dan

Anything you need will be in Life Saver's pack!

Ran into Rooster when we got out of the car to start

Sonic with Mary (Dime Bag)

Day Six: In just a mile or so we came to the General Springs Cabin area which would have made a good camping spot the night before if I would have noticed it as an option on the FarOut app. (My other major tool for planning.) Strangely it is not marked with a water waypoint so you have to read comments to know water is there. Also, despite comments saying the cabin is open and would be a great place to camp, that is prohibited; though there are plenty camping spots around. (You can see the cabin in my video...I didn't get a picture of it.)

It would have been nice to shorten this day by that mile, but regardless, the 13-ish miles to Bear Spring were not bad at all. 

Day Seven: Only 12.6 to the trail town of Pine where the local pub was like a magnetic pull making us faster than ever. Mary's husband was waiting at the trailhead to rush us to our beckoning burger and celebratory beer. A big shout out to him and also Janet's hubby who drove us to and from the airport in Portland. I am so very grateful for all the help.  

Done! Until next time AZT :)

 

Also...WILDFLOWERS!!!...