Wednesday, September 19th.

Wednesday, September 19th: Todays miles =19.2. Total PCT miles = 2,174.2

I finally left Cascade Locks today around 11am after coffee and breakfast at the only restaurant in town. The first part of the day was crossing 'The bridge of the Gods'. The PCT went over the bridge yet there was no walking lane on the bridge. I had to walk in the car lane (with construction being done on the bridge) while the cars and semi's were flying past. The bridge was a good 150 feet from the water and the road on the bridge was just a grate. I was hoping not to drop anything while taking the 5 minute walk across. You couldn't help looking down to the water directly below your feet. Just on the other side of the bridge was the sign welcoming me into Washington!! California = check! Oregon = check! Just 490 miles left of the PCT from where I am camped tonight. I have three weeks to hike these miles.

Cascade locks was just above sea level so I spent the entire days hike climbing back up in elevation. All but a few miles of todays 19.2 mile hike was uphill; some of the steeper uphill I've done in a bit. Despite the uphill today I felt pretty well all day. The surplus of food I consumed in town always helps the first few days out.

Camped by water with Baboon, Diesel, and Pitfall