Big Lake Youth Camp to Olallie Lake

 

Our first night out of Big Lake Youth Camp we camped near a small pond.  It was here that Tumbleweed and Puma met up again after several months of planning.  They had met at the Saufley's (mile 450) and found they could both play the guitar.  Ever since then they had worked on finding and buying backpacking guitars, planning the pickup locations, and when they would be able to meet again.  It was here, about 1,500 miles later, that they were able to reunite with two guitars.  It was great to listen to them play together before we went to bed.

 

On our second day out of BLYC we met Connie.  Connie is completing a section of the Oregon PCT and started with little to no backpacking experience.  How did she get on trail?  She use to read an online newspaper column written under a pen name.  As it turns out the author decided to reveal her identity at the same time of her book release, Wild.  Ah, Ms. Sheryl Strayed strikes again.  Connie read the book and decided to give the PCT a try.  I don't believe she had any addictions to work through, but after living a very comfortable life wanted to know what it would be like to give up some of those creature comforts.  Some might give some criticism, but I say good job Connie for getting way outside your comfort zone and giving it a try.  When we ran into Connie and asked her how she was liking the trail she said she was getting lonely, particularly in the evenings.  We said there was no need to be lonely, and invited her to camp with us.  So for the next two nights the three of us camped together.

 

Hello Mt. Jefferson!  Having lived in Oregon for so many years before this I am disappointed not to have discovered Mt Jefferson until now.  I loved the Mt. Jefferson wilderness area and the peak itself looks amazing. 

 

We were told from a south bound hiker, Grapenuts, that the camping around Scott Lake in Jefferson Park was great.  It did look great, but we were near a forest road on a weekend which meant the place was crowded!  You get so used to having the backcountry all to yourself, you forget how to share it.  I went ahead of Connie and Tiffany to find us a spot.  I found a decent one, then lead them back to it.  Just as we were getting there an older man was walking through the spot.  I asked him where he was camping.  He said "right here, we beat you to it."  I don't know why this pudgy weekend hiker that had probably only carried his pack 5 miles got under my skin, but he did.  I said, "no you didn't beat me here, I was here before and just coming back." I stormed off, determined to find an even better spot, before he had the time of day to respond. Ha, and writing this now makes me laugh.  Where was my trail Zen?

 

Hiking into Ollalie Lake we got our first views of Mt. Hood and had some unexpected snow fields.  This snow was fun.  The snow was steep enough to shuffle/slide down, but not too steep you had to worry about any falling.  We met Turbo on one of these snow fields.  He was avoiding the snow until he saw Tiffany, the dogs, and myself having so much fun running down them.  We thought he was named Turbo because of his speed.  He is fast when he isn't going the wrong way, but his name comes from the sound his nose makes when he is breathing heavy.  I love trail names.

 

We came into Olallie Lake mid day.  Here we waited to meet up with two friends who would hike to Timberline Lodge with us.

 

Happy Trails!

Trail Statistics 

Days: 123

Miles: 2,053.6

Xena Days: 17