Stehiken
8th September
Mileage 17.3
Cedar Camp (2570.6) to Bridge Creek (2587.9)
Miles to Canada 72.2 (116km)
I ambled into a place known as High Bridge around 11am. I’d covered around 10 miles of fairly easy terrain. It’s the place where a shuttle bus took me to the tourist town of Stehiken on Lake Chelan. I had not planned to go there, rather my plan was to continue another 20 miles further up the trail to Rainy Pass and hitch to the town of Winthrop to resupply. The trail had other ideas.
Firstly, I’d eaten almost all of my food. Secondly, I didn’t have enough gas to cook any meals and finally the section from Stevens Pass was so brutally hard. It both destroyed me and built me up at the same time.
The section between Stevens Pass and High Bridge, also know as the section between Skykomish and Stehiken (the nearby towns) is hard. Just how hard? Let me explain.
It’s around 107 miles in distance or about 172km for the benefit of the other 208 countries in the world that use the modern metric system. In that 107 miles I climbed 26680 feet or 8132 meters and then descended 29099 feet or 8869 meters. Have you ever looked up from sea level and seen a commercial airliner in the sky appear as a small dot in the sky?
Or been in a plane while at the cruising altitude of between 26680 and 29099 feet and looked down at the earth below? Well I just hiked that high and back down again. Well not really but I hope you understand where I’m going with this. And to make it all harder I got snowed on twice, rained on more times than I care to remember and was almost always constantly wet and cold.
Let’s just say it was a hard couple of days. Physically it was tough, mentally it was tougher. To successfully complete the PCT it’s mental strength not physical that determines if you succeed or fail. Let me just repeat that as it’s important for anybody wanting to do this hike or some other extreme adventure, it’s mental strength not physical that determines if you succeed or fail. Today, as I look back on the last couple of days, I know I can make it. I’ve got this.
I reached Stehiken via a quick bus stop at the bakery which is out of town. Enough time to run in and spend $20 on loads of super heavy, high fat, high calorie pastries. I gorged myself on the bus. I reached Stehiken and was able to easily resupply at the store, they had gas, freeze dried meals and everything I would need.
While in Stehiken I met several other hikers who confirmed what I suspected. There were huge numbers of hikers quitting the trail. This hike means different things to different people. The expression ‘hike your own hike’ is used often. For me that means walking every single mile in one unbroken line from Mexico to Canada. I’m prepared physically and mentally for all weather, though this section almost broke me.
When other hikers heard I made it on the trail all the way from Stevens Pass in the appalling conditions I was called ‘hard core’. A term that is a real badge of honour and rarely used. Must say I felt quite hard core.
After resupply I headed back on trail. Several other hikers joined me. The bus dropped us all at High Bridge where I slowly consumed more food from the bakery before heading off alone, again.
As I write this I’m camped alone on the edge of a cliff overlooking a raging river. I’m so full from the food I purchased at the bakery that I’m not eating any dinner. I’m also hoping I don’t get a visit from the bear that left a deposit on the trail about a mile from here!
Next : Day 145 Blue Sky at Rainy Pass
The Best information about the Pacific Crest Trail:
Complete Guide to the Pacific Crest Trail
Resupply Guide for the PCT
PCT Gear List
PCT Gear Review
Love the frog, surprised by the snake.
Yeah, what are snakes doing in the mountains of Washington
What an amazing campsite right by the river! I’ve never been to Washington but would love to go after seeing your beautiful pictures. I know I’ll never get to thru-hike the PCT (I’m a teacher and have only the summers off) but would love to hike a section of it someday. Randomly clicking on your blog last spring was one of the best things I’ve done! I have learned so much. Thank you!
Thanks Heather, glad you enjoyed it. The PCT is not all about thru hiking. The majority of the users are day hikers and section hikers. Some people hike the whole of the PCT over periods of 20 years. Now there’s an idea that could be planted in your head. Really, it’s only about 28-35 section hikes!
Is that bear scat? I’ve never seen a pile so big! hope you didn’t meet him in camp.
Yep, bear scat, lots of red berries on there, luckily I didn’t meet the owner!
You have got this and are hardcore!!!
Thanks Jen. Your brothers turn next. Can’t wait to see his photo at the border.
Love the frog/toad photo. Any idea what kind of snake that was? Timber rattler?
Not sure, I didn’t see a rattle but it was angry!
We don’t have many poisonous snakes in the US like you do in Aus but that head looks like it’s of the poisonous variety.
I’m the scout dad from the spring back in Norcal. It’s been great following your blog. Thank you for keeping it going! People who are new to backpacking ask me for my opinion on things like gear or food or neat places to go. I often refer them to something you have written for the answer.
Thanks for the kind words. The snake was certainly aggressive. Great to meet you all at the springs that day. Always glad to help.