PCT SOBO DAY 32 – CAMPING IN PARADISE

Day 32

Home: Indian Springs Trail Junction, Mile 525.1

END: Paradise Park Loop alternate, mile ~ 550

Walked miles: ~ 24.9 miles

After arriving late last night, I decided to sleep for a while, waking up at 6:30 am instead of 6:00 am I could listen to the nobles getting up and leaving, so when the time came to breakfast, I enjoyed it only at Picnic’s table. However, when I returned to the path, I noticed that there was a tent: that of the other couple of Sobo who had been jumping from the beginning. I would probably see them again at some point.

After a few minutes of climbing, I reached the open extension of an exposed baldness. Curse, this could have been my camp last night. There were views of Monte Hood, Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helen without clouds to cover them. If only it would not have been so erased after the climb. Oh good.

After that, a time passed until I saw the full sky again. The path took me gently through the forest, passing the cranks and blueberries that had already been well selected. So many nobles and backpacks of several days passed, it was incredible. But I ended up going to someone who had been looking from the beginning. The crazy was that I didn’t even know how he looked, just his name.

A church friend had another friend walking along the path this year and told me to take care of him. Well, a friendly guy and his wife passed and filed a conversation, which does not happen as often as you think between nobles and sobos. He took us for a few minutes to introduce us, but when he did, a bulb was shot; It was him! What a coincidence because now, with so many nobles, I just say Hello and move on, but for some reason we had a real conversation. What luck is that?

After a few miles, I sat down for breakfast the second. With 6 miles made so far, the morning advanced constantly. Just when I was packing to leave, this morning’s sobo couple also had their second breakfast. See? I knew it wouldn’t spend much time until I saw them again.

Since I finished, I gave them the site and moved on. Then, through a break in the trees, I saw it: Mt. Hood! This was my destiny for the day; He planned to camp throughout an alternative to the shadow of the beautiful mountain. Seeing him so close, a small PEP in my step.

As the morning became the afternoon, the temperature increased, increasing my gratitude for the constant cover of the tree. I was hot! I found a nice stubborn tense just before my great climb of the day and ate my lunch. Today’s menu included bread with cheese and meat sticks, Jalapeño chips, a cookie and some nerd gommies. Yum!

Driven and ready to use, I approached the first 1,000 -foot rise with ease. After a long descent, I took a quick break to immerse my hands in the cold crunch before heading to Ramona Falls. This waterfall is not on the official PCT, but it is a very popular alternative that is almost the same length as the PCT.

While walking next to the stream that led to the cataracts, I longed to jump and take a dip. My shirt was soaked in my sweat and I could feel the heat of the day on my cheeks. Even so, I knew that I would be annoying to take 2 breaks so close and have to take away my socks and shoes, so I waited until the falls. Ramona Falls was large and beautiful, with waterfall water by the rocky face in cubes under him. Unfortunately, there was no swimming hole, so I compensated by immersing my hands and enjoying the fresh breeze that came out of the water that fell.

After some snacks and recover the temperature of my body where I wanted it to be, I continued, ready to board the last 4 miles and 2,500 feet of elevation gain. The beginning of the climb was not bad, but with approximately 1.5 miles to go, I began to get tired. My shirt was soaked with sweat once again, and the sun was tall in the light sky. The only thing that kept me underway was the promise of an unforgettable camp in Paradise Park.

Once I got to the top, I knew that all hard work was worth it. Mount Hood was clear and without obstacles in front of me, while the alpine meadows full of wild flowers greeted me. He was peaceful and serene at the base of Mount Hood.

And I wasn’t just wanting to camp in paradise. There were several other scattered campers, but it didn’t seem that many hikers were here. Finally I found the perfect camp and sat down for dinner and the best show in the world: sunset. And this time, he did not disappoint. When the sun went down to the horizon, its rays gently warmed my face. I could see mountains on the mountains stretched in front of me while Mount Hood was on my back. While ate my dinner, heaven faced a pink tone that burning. Being so high in elevation, sunset seemed to last forever. I have to say that I think it has been the best on the way so far.

Paradise Park is really Paradise. As the sun fades, I can see Portland, Vancouver and other cities along the Columbia river sparkling in the distance. The squeak of the crickets gently while the damping sound of a thaw of thaw bubbles in the background. Tonight is an incredible night.

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

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