PCT SOBO DAY 26 – Chillin ‘in Trout Lake

Day 26

Home: TENTSITE, Mile 413.6

End: Trout Lake, outside Mile 423.8

Walked miles: 10.2 miles

The nobos cleared early in the morning, greeting while having breakfast. Today was another special day: City Day! The plan was to go to Lake Tout, eat an abundant meal and collect my refueling box. Sun didn’t have a box there, but I was happy to accompany him.

With only 10 miles in the day, hiking was short and sweet. We ascended a little and were treated with another magnificent view of Mount Adams. These mountains never age. I enjoyed the view for a good part of the day because it was going through a burning zone. There were no trees to obstruct the sky. And since it was not too hot and there was no immediate threat that a tree fell, I enjoyed the burns zone.

More and more nobles passed as the day progressed, and soon I found myself under the roof of the trees. On the bridge about 2 miles from the road to Trout Lake, I found the monument to the hiker «colors», which tragically died in that place during his walk. Taking a time to think about him, I took the opportunity to be grateful for the days I have on the way. Every day they are not guaranteed, even when you live the dream.

With that gloomy note, Sun and I walked the last two miles to Trout Lake Road and we were lucky to get a hook immediately. A Nobo PCT hiker who had to leave the path on March had left another hiker as a favor and headed back to Trout Lake just at that time. Awesome! Of course, we talk a path in the truck and share our stories of trails.

Once in Trout Lake, Sun and I immediately went to coffee and we got a hamburger, fried potatoes and a soda. He gave the place! Then, we cross the street and walk about 300 feet to the general store, also known as Central Hiker. We settled with a camp, laundry, shower and start in our tasks.

For me, Trout Lake was a great city of trails. Although there were not too many places for hikers to stay, the people of the general store were super friendly, their selection of food and drinks was excellent for a small town, and the place was very relaxing. There were not a lot of hikers, so I thought that most people skipped this stop. But for me, even though I camped in the County Park instead of getting a hotel room, I felt very relaxed and comfortable, which is exactly what I want a zero day.

I spent a few hours in the afternoon chatting with janitor since I missed him a lot. There was no cell service for me in the city, but the store had WiFi available. When dinner time rolled the sun, Nik (a young German hiker), and I headed towards the road to pizzeria. I was at a mile on foot, but the pizza was worth it! We divided two pizzas and were demolished when we left.

We all return to the camp after talking with Nobo, which was constantly walking between 30 and 40 (sometimes more) miles per day. Although we were not going to walk so far tomorrow, we still needed our rest. The camp was calm even though other campers that are not hikers were close, and I slept peacefully during the night.

And that is a day in the life of a PCT Sobo hiker!

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