Reportage - PCT: 06.22.09
A sign at the entrance of forest service road 1310 leading to Wahtum Lake stated it was closed due to a slide. Jenifur pushed through anyway and a few minutes later we hiked down the mountain side and lake shore to scout out a camp. A new arrival showed up upon our return to the site with supplies. Going by the name of Rob, he had just begun hiking a few days prior and planned to do Oregon’s duration of the Pacific Crest Trail. Oregon bridges 460 of the PCT’s 2,650 miles, stretching from Mexico to Canada, meandering it’s way through dense forests, open meadows, high elevation lakes and all of the cascade mountain range.
Wahtum lake itself is one of the smallest and cleanest I have ever seen. Rising above it is Chinidere Mountain, initially our break-of-dawn hike. However, come morning Chinidere was socked in with heavy fog and mist, so we opted to head home early. On our return this view of Mt. Hood opened up to us in the same location as the, “slide,” and It made me glad we opted out early. Hours later the high elevation Columbia Gorge peaks remained thick with cloud coverage.
Though this trip was the shortest outing so far this year I am now left with a burning desire to hike the entire PCT. This of course will have to wait a few years, but I am already planning my trip along Oregon’s brief section of the trail, which is considered the easiest portion. I hope to begin heading from south to north for two weeks come August or September.
