25     Shelter Cove - Big Lake Youth Camp  90 miles

Shelter Cove

Charlton Lake                                19.5 m

Horseshoe Lake                             18.5 m

Mesa Creek                                   19.0 m

Sisters                                         20.5 m

Big Lake Youth Camp                      12.0 m

The following section started with a long reroute along paved roads. And a part of it along a multilane heavily used road. The trail angel offered to drive us around the closed section of PCT. Delighted we accepted and he had to drive twice to take everyone along. We had a very quiet night at Charlton Lake. The next day the PCT went through an area rich of forest and lakes. And the nights were pretty cool again. In the morning things were frozen over. Coming from a large burn area we had a short site trip to Elk Lake Resort. Here I had the for sure most expensive burger along the PCT. They charged $ 14.00. But then I only hike the PCT once in my life.

Soon the country side was to change. The Three Sisters mountains accompanied me for a while. And this meant the PCT was to pass through extensive lava fields. While further south near Fish Lake Resorts the trail was very nicely made passing through lava fields it was far worst here. And lava fields mean that there is not much if any natural water. And then it turned out that the water cache at McKenzie Pass was dry. Together with a Czech thruhiker I decided to spend the night in Sisters. After a while we found a friendly driver who gave us a ride into town. In Sisters I could refill my decreasing alcohol reserves. Next morning and freshly showered I tried to hitch hike back to the PCT. After a long time waiting I got a ride for a part of the road. It was almost lunch by the time I finally arrived back at the Pass. And the trail led me back through extensive lava fields.

Shortly before arriving at Big Lake Youth Camp I crossed the 2,000 mile mark. I had reached another major mileage point along the PCT. At Big Lake Youth Camp, a camp run by the Seventh Day Adventists, another food package was waiting for me. And I had a very nice shower and did my laundry. Also they served an extensive dinner with many desserts. And they had a nearby area for camping overnight.

Elk Lake Resort

View of two of the Three Sisters

Obsidian Falls

PCT leading through a huge lava field

View of Three Fingered Jack and Mount Adams

View of Mount Washington

In the middle of a lava field a blooming plant

2,000 miles are accomplished

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