Day 148 Still without escaping the gorge

22.98 miles
From the trail camp at Cedar Mountain. Trail (mile 2158.4, elevation 1990)
To Trout Creek (mile 2178.8, elevation 1228)
Upload 4715
Descend 5496

This morning I stopped 1.5m away to draw water from a spring. FarOut said the path to the spring was very steep. While it was very steep, it was also short enough that it really wasn’t that bad.

The trail continued climbing to about 3500 feet before dropping back down to 1400. I wondered how long the terrain would continue like this, always descending to a low elevation after each climb. It looks like we’re not completely moving away from the Columbia River Gorge.

There were nice views of the Washington Falls from near the top.

Washington waterfalls. Mount Rainer in the center, far in the distance. Mount St. Helens, with its distinctive flat top, to the right.

For most of the day, I felt like the nickname “Green Tunnel,” usually reserved for the Appalachian Trail, was an accurate description. The trail has been mainly through trees which restrict the number of views.

Before the last climb, I ran into AKA and Mirthful having lunch at a stream. While I was there for a few minutes, I met Showgirl when she showed up.

Sunset on the last descent

The weather forecast announced rain starting the next morning, before a few days of good weather. Instead of getting soaked, I wanted to find a campsite where I could stay until the rain stopped. That meant he wanted water nearby. With nowhere suitable to camp at the top of the last climb, I continued walking until almost 23 miles, using my headlamp for the last half mile. On the last descent, I walked with Showgirl for a couple of miles. I never knew the origins of Showgirl’s trail name, but she has worked in Los Angeles in the entertainment industry. It was nice to be able to talk while walking.

My tent site – after the rain the next morning

With so many people here (four), it feels like a party camp. The showgirl is here. And AKA & Mirthful just appeared.

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