From MRNP

Day 27: 4:05 start to the day. Why? Because I want to get to the trail and start the hike by 6, and waking up at 4 is going too far.

I want to start my hike around 6, plus the parking lot is known to fill up by 7am and I don’t want to take any chances. The plan for today is to hike the Highline Trail as well as Glacier Overlook. I’ve had it recommended by a few friends, and it is one of the more popular trails in the park.

I pack up camp and am on the road a little after 4:30 for my hour drive to the trailhead. I’m not the only one who is in a hurry as a group of three cars, including myself, all go around a minivan who refuses to drive above the speed limit.

I make it to the trailhead at 5:30 and after making and eating a bowl of oatmeal and packing some water and snacks, I walk over to the trailhead at 6:05. Maybe I should’ve gotten up at 4.

On the way I met Bailey, who is a metal fabricator originally from Spokane, but soon moving to Alaska. He is a very fast hiker, thanks in part to a long stride, and I spent most of the hike looking at his back.

The trail hugs the side of a few mountains and has a spectacular view of the peaks across the way.

One cool feature of this trail is it crosses over several small waterfalls that I believe are from the snowmelt above. Bailey has hiked the trail before in the rain, and says the waterfalls were more powerful then and very difficult to cross.

After 7 miles of hiking we reached the turn for Glacier Overlook. This is where the real challenge began. It is probably the steepest trail I have ever been on that didn’t require scrambling. So steep, it even slowed Bailey down.

About halfway up we were passed by a trail runner. I noticed a tattoo a the back of his leg that was part man, part mountain goat. It was very fitting. I took the opportunity to bypass Bailey and promised to wait at the top.

As I crested the mountain, I could see the runner chasing an actual mountain goat up the last stretch of trail before the overlook. He stopped to take in the view at the overlook and I was able to catch up to him. His name is Alex and he is an ultramarathoner and sport massage therapist who lives in the area. He also genuinely loves this place, and is almost to the point of tears talking about it.

After Bailey makes it up Alex decides to continue up the side of grandfather mountain and I followed a little after. This section of trail is not maintained by the park and is much tougher to follow, not to mention it’s mostly loose rock and skree scrambling, so I turned around after about 10 minutes and headed back to the overlook.

Bailey was still there finishing his snack of dehydrated mango and beef jerky.

We began our hike back down and the trail was now filled with other hikers making their way up. We were very lucky to have had the overlook to ourselves.

On the hike out we could see a set of buildings that the map told us were lodgings for an old railroad. Upon arrival we found out that they were still a functioning mountain chalet, that was stocked by bi-weekly mule trains.

The hike now turned down Loop Trail, while not as stunning, it was still pretty and a shorter walk back after taking the shuttle back.

It was here that Bailey and I said our goodbyes and wished each other luck on our next adventures.

I began my drive west toward Great Cascade National Park, with a pit stop for lunch on Lake McDonald.

I did not have a firm destination in mind but wanted to at least get halfway, which meant Spokane. The drive wasn’t bad and went pretty quick after I got out of the park, and by the time I got to Spokane I decided it would have the most options plus I could get to bed on time if I stopped.

I pulled over to book a hotel and found the best deal on a LaQuinta via Priceline. The hotel was only a couple blocks away and by the time I arrived the reservation had not come through.

The hotel clerk was Amy, about mid-20’s, heavily tattooed, and small gauge earrings. A very Washingtonian look.

After a pit stop at the restroom and Amy checking in a few more guests we tried again and realized the reservation was for the next day. Cool.

Amy very apologetically explained that she could not do anything until hearing from Priceline as the room was booked through them. But if I called Priceline, they would call the hotel, and give her permission to change the dates.

So I called hoping for a quick resolution as it was already after 6 pacific time and I had been up since nearly 4am mountain time. I got a machine which told me the current wait time was 2 hours and 20 minutes. Just great.

Not wanting to take up residence in a hotel lobby I drove over to Gonzaga and walked around for about an hour to kill some time. Because misery loves company I called a few friends and caught up on the goings on of Tallahassee.

Hoping the call back would come soon I headed back to the hotel, so I could be there when it came in.

When I arrived there was a long line at the desk but Amy handled them all quickly and professionally including one rather difficult couple. It was now 8:15 and 2 hours since I first called Priceline.

I tried out the various furniture while I waited and decided the couch was the most comfortable, but also must dangerous as I did not want to fall asleep and miss the call.

Amy continued to be incredibly kind, and commented a couple times that it looked like I needed the rest a room would provide. Do I look that haggard?

Finally, nearly three hours after I first called, Priceline called me back, then called the hotel. When I heard the front desk phone ring I knew my interminable wait was over.

Amy got me my room in a flash, and wished me a good night. A true angel.

Day 29: Up at 4:30. Body is still on mountain time, but after a shower I’m able to get a little more rest and am up just in time for the 6am breakfast. I down some eggs, waffles and yogurt and am on my way to North Cascades at 6:30.

I’m a little weary on the drive and consider pulling over for a quick nap, but keep putting the decision off and eventually I’m on the doorstep of the park and decide against it and get to the trailhead around 11:30.

Taking on a smaller hike today -The Diablo Lake Trail. There’s very little elevation compared to the mountains I’ve been in.

The trail is very pretty, unfortunately the trees block the view of the turquoise lake.

At the turnaround point I down some lunch then head back to the start. The way back goes quicker and I even run a few of the less rocky sections.

Including some side trails the total hike was about 8 miles and I took some time at the end to soak my feet in the glacial water. It’s cold, less than 50 degrees according to a sign.

After that, I stop by the visitor center before heading for my campsite. I set up camp, and eat dinner before heading down to the lake adjacent to the campground.

All the day users have left and I grab a spot on a large tree that is very well worn. It is an actually quite smooth and I lay down for a few minutes and listen the wind push the water onto shore as if it were a beach. After nearly falling asleep. I head back to my tent to get to bed.

Day 30: Up at 4:30 again, but don’t get up until 4:45 and am out of camp at 5:15.

Got an almost 6 hour drive to the Ozette Triangle Trail in Olympic National Park.

Google maps tells me I have a ferry crossing, and I reach it around 7:45. The man at the booth tells me it’ll be back around 8:30. I must have just missed it.

I poke around the coast line for a bit, then take the opportunity to make and eat my oatmeal.

By the time I’m wrapping up the ferry has arrived and cars are streaming off. I wait my turn and drive onto the ferry. Everyone else appears to have gotten out of their car and headed for the cabin so I follow suit. As I’m walking up the stairs I can feel the ship surge forward and we are on the way. I head for the front (bow?) to watch the crossing. I stand inside and watch from the window for a while before heading out on the deck. It is pretty chilly, so I went back inside and walked around before heading to my car to catch up on some correspondence. Right after I got there the captain announced that we would arrive soon and all passengers should return to their vehicles.

I’m one of the first to disembark and I’m off the ship before my cell service picks back up. Fortunately there are signs and I can at least head in the right direction before the GPS kicks in.

After a couple more hours of driving I get to the trailhead a little after 12. I hurriedly pack a lunch and snacks and am on my way.

It rained for a good chunk of the morning, so I start off in a rain jacket and have waterproof pants packed. My reverse jinx worked and the rain stayed away, so I peeled off the jacket a mile in.

The trail is mostly boardwalk, but the wood has warped so much from the weather that the undulations feel a little closer to a real trail.

After 3 miles the trail reaches the coast and I stop for a moment to take in the beauty. It is very different than our Florida coast, but is pretty in its own rocky, black sand type of way.

I don’t up to the top of sand point and took in the majesty of the Pacific from above. After scarfing down a sandwich I head down and follow the route up the coast. It is a lot of fun at first, but by the end I’m a little tired of the sand and rocks slowing down my pace.

I took one last look back when I reached the end of the beach portion. Although, it was a little frustrating I may never get the chance to walk on that type of beach again and I don’t want to forget it.

The trail back in is similar to the way out and I’m able to move a little quicker.

Back in the car upon my return to the trailhead. It is already after 4, and the drive to my campsite is nearly 2 hours.

I really like Olympic, but it is big, and there are not a lot of roads, so the drive is not very direct.

I finally reach my campsite around 6 and eat dinner before even setting up my tent.

I’m determined to get to bed early tonight to try to get a full night sleep.

Day 30: Up a little after 4:30. A full 8 hours, what a luxury. The drive today isn’t as long, but my hike is longer, so I’m on the road a little after 5.

I skirt by Seattle and go through Tacoma right before rush hour. Set a new personal record at price paid for gas at $4.50. It wasn’t the highest price in town, but still hurts.

I make it to the trailhead for the Kautz Creek to Mirror Lake hike at 9:45. This one was recommended by a Seattle based couple I met in Zion. By the time I make/eat breakfast, and pack some sandwiches I’m on the trail around 10:30.

According to AllTrails there is nearly 4,000 feet of elevation on this roughly 13 mile hike and almost all of it comes on the out portion of the out and back. Should be fun.

I tried the rain jacket trick again after it rained on the drive over, and again took off the jacket about 20 minutes into the hike. It’s still cool out and there is a heavy layer of fog, but moving fast will warm me up.

After a few miles the trail breaks out of the trees, and opens up to a few meadows. The fog has yet to lift, so all I can see is the area directly around me.

I pass the cabin a little over 5 miles in, the last landmark before Mirror Lake. There is a sign informing visitors that the last .6 miles is no maintained by the Park Service and it shows.

The trail is very muddy, and a couple small bridges have collapsed. But the trail is still passable and I reach my turnaround point. The lake is quaint and wanting to eat lunch at the cabin I take a couple pictures and head back.

Once I’m back at the cabin I run into a father and son who I passed on the way up. They are from the area and pretty used to this type of rainy, foggy weather. I am not a fan and having met the challenge of climbing up I am now ready to start the descent.

Not too long into my way down the clouds start to break a little and I can see some blue sky. It continues to peep through the clouds, but I’m back in the trees by the time it’s fully out. A bit of a bummer, as it would have been cool to take in some scenic views, but at least it’s not raining and starting to warm up.

I stride out a few of the downhills, but for the most part the trail is so steep that it’s hard to go much faster on the downhill without risking a nasty fall.

But my mood is better with the sun out and the way down at least feels a little quicker.

After reaching the bottom I drove over to my campsite and get my tent set up. It’s only 4:30 and I decide to head up to the Paradise section of the park. There is still some fog, but I can see some snow capped mountains in the distance.

I get back to camp a little after 6 and eat my dinner. This is the first campground in over a week to have an actual dishwashing station, so that’s really helpful.

Looking forward to getting down to Oregon tomorrow.