All Paths Lead To The PCT 5-20-2011

Front of the Bonneville Hot Springs Hotel

 Well...maybe not all paths, but a lot of my hikes seem to often link up with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT.)

Ben and I needed to find a lower-level backpack trip.  The snow is still deep up on the higher elevation trails, so we decided to hook up with the PCT on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge.

We started out at the Bonneville Hot Springs Resort parking lot.  Leaving the truck here was no problem.  The hotel allows hikers to park in their lot on the east side of the hotel.

To catch the spur trail that hooks up with the PCT you first have to walk through the resort's miniature golf course.  Ben took a couple of swings!

 Then it was over a small bridge and we were off the hotel grounds and on our way.  Bella says "Let's go guys!!"

As you can see by this sign we are on trails not maintained by the US Forest Service.  These trails are mostly on private land, and all are unmarked.

 This is a picture of the Bonneville Dam in the distance below us.

 We entered the forest here and met up with several day hikers and their dogs.

We are always grateful for bridges.

                                          This part of the path seems to beckon us forward.

 Low bridge.  Which doesn't seem like a big deal until you have 28 pounds on your back.

We reached the PCT.  One of the great things about hooking up with the PCT is that trail bikes are not allowed on it.   Some trails you have to worry about getting run over by bikers who are going really fast.

                                                      On. Deeper into the forest we walked.

We spent the night up above Gillette Lake by a clear, cold, rushing stream that fed into the green lake.

 I am happy to report that my new MSR Hubba Hubba tent was water tight that night!

 This is a log bridge that lead out of where we camped for the night.  Sure glad we didn't have to wade through that cold snow melt.

Table Mountain in the distance above us.  This peak looked over our left shoulder most of the trip.

Entering a half mile clear cut.

This is where we met up with day hikers Kevin and Jamie out with their dog for the day (I think if you click on this picture it will get larger).

 Bella leads the way through the brush that is starting to take hold where the trees were cut down.

Wild flowers are starting to bloom in the clear cuts where they can get at the sun.

If I kept walking I would be in Canada in just 506.1 miles

This is where the Pacific Crest Trail starts on the Washington side of the Columbia gorge going north.  We came out here onto Highway 14.

 This is a bridge that connects Oregon and Washington.  It is part of the PCT and hikers are allowed to walk over it.  Bridge Of The Gods

In the car a very happy Rosebud was waiting to welcome me and Bella back.

 In a gravel parking lot by the bridge Jim was waiting to take us back to the Bonneville Hotel parking lot to pick up Ben's truck. We had left it at the beginning of our hike.  I love our support crew

My new  hat says it all about backpacking in the Pacific Northwest:  LIFE IS GOOD!

Be sure to stay tuned in for more of this season's backpacking trips.

Now go outside and enjoy the sunshine.

Jenny