PCT Day 123 – Monday August 14
Mile 1764.7 to Fish Lake Resort Mile 1770.7
PCT Miles Hiked Today: 6 PCT Miles + 2 road walk
Total PCT Miles Hiked: 1314.6
Feet Ascended Today: 604
Feet Descended Today: 881
Current Elevation: 4654
Steps:
It was an easy 8-mile hike to Fish Lake Resort this morning. The first 6 miles were on the PCT with a gentle elevation grade. The path did travel through some lava rocks which was kind of annoying but it wasn’t as bad as I had expected.
Lava Rock Fields Forever
I’ve also noticed an increase in blowdowns the farther away I get from Ashland. Many of the blowdowns look like they’ve been there a while, with established paths around the obstruction. But I’ve been on sections of trail that are worse.
Hello Blowdown my old Friend
Flowers among the Lava Fields
After 6 miles, I took the junction to Fish Lake and followed a broad, smooth path that sloped gently downhill. I arrived in mid-morning and ate a plate of French Toast and bacon at the Fish Lake Cafe before retrieving my resupply box. I also got a package that I had shipped from Amazon with new shoes, socks and undies. Ahhh.
Trail Junction to Fish Lake Resort
And yes, in case you are counting, this is my fourth pair of shoes on trail this year. I get a new pair every 400-500 miles.
Welcome to Fish Lake Resort
At the game room in the resort, some other hikers arrived and the only subject of conversation was the wildfires. A new fire had just sprung up in the Three Sisters Wilderness, closing a section of the PCT near Sisters. Add that to the existing fires at Mt Jefferson, Crater Lake and Eagle Creek, and it pretty much felt like the entire state of Oregon was on fire. I felt overwhelmed. I’ve already done a lot of skipping around on the PCT and just wanted to hike north. This was proving to be a logistical nightmare.
The Games Room at Fish Lake Resort
I had originally planned to only stay a couple hours at the resort, but my body had other plans. I was wiped out. I needed to plan my strategy for bypassing the upcoming closure in Crater Lake but my brain was too tired. I went over to the PCT Hiker camping area, set up my tent in the shade, and took a nap. It was a lovely little spot near the water and nestled in a grove of trees.
Napping in my tent at Fish Lake
When I awoke my stomach was in turmoil. The French Toast was not sitting well. When I sorted through my resupply box I noticed I still had a lot of food left and it occurred to me that I had not been eating as much this past section. I just hadn’t been as hungry. And when I made meals I lost my appetite halfway through and was stuck with some half-eaten food to dispose of. Hm. That seemed weird. Maybe I’m more than just tired. Maybe I’m fighting a stomach bug or something.
Bam Bam and Pancakes
Pancakes and Bam Bam arrived shortly afterwards. I previously met them at Callahan’s in Ashland. They are sisters who have been hiking the PCT together and are two of my favorite people on trail. They have been taking it slow as they are waiting for a package to arrive with new shoes. We chatted and ate dinner at the cafe together. I forced myself to eat a small dinner even though I wasn’t hungry.
I watched the sunset over the lake as I walked back to my tent. Fish Lake Resort is a lovely place. I’m glad I ended up staying here.
Fish Lake
0 Comments