June 29,2020. Rainy Pass to Six Mile Camp.
The weather improved overnight. So did my mood. Helen had confirmed my next resupply location was open. My Dad would drive me to where the PCT crossed highway 20, about 15 miles on the trail from where I bailed. Someday I will have to come back and complete the Rainy Pass-to-Canada section. Until then, the southbound trip continues.
A reader would reasonably question why I wouldn’t expect another sketchy high pass. Looking at the maps, I won’t hit another 6,500′ pass for a couple hundred miles. So, all systems go.
We stopped at a little tourist town called Mazama. I got a water filter and hat. To be candid, I also got a coffee, ham sandwich, and chocolate croissant. Hiker hunger was kicking in.
My Dad dropped me off at Rainy Pass. The sun was out. We said goodbye, I crossed the highway and started hiking the PCT again, refreshed, rededicated, and even more determined. It only took me 15 minutes to realize I had started hiking north, the wrong way.
I had only a short day of hiking. I originally planned to take a zero day at the lodge in Stehekin. Since I didn’t have as far to go as I had thought, it was two easy days.
I reached Six Mile Camp after, well, six miles. I passed one couple backpacking, but other than that solitude. Trails crews had been through and there were no blow downs. Great flowers again and wonderful.mountain views.
The campsite was about a quarter mile down from the trail. About six tent sites next to a stream. There was a designated food area with a bear box. (A bear box is simply a large metal cabinet requiring modest dexterity to open.) I chose the tent site farthest away from the bear box.
As I started my cold soaked dinner of polenta, mushrooms, butter, another backpacker came in. “Not many tentsites” he exclaimed. I wasn’t sure whether 10 or 30 would’ve made him happy. He quietly pitched his tent, ate, and did other chores.
I went back over to the food area and ate my dinner, silently giving thanks to Trader Joe’s Umami seasoning. My new neighbor came out to chat. Since he never asked a question about me, I quickly learned he had hiked over 1,200 miles, then had hip replacement surgery, and was now taking a test hike. He was 65, a little grouchy, and soon went to bed.
I was also soon to bed. With the sound of the creek as a backdrop I eventually dozed off.
backpacking over the hill 