ASHLAND (mile 1718.7) to CASCADE LOCKS, OR (mile 2147). When we arrived in Ashland we found our van had been invaded by tiny ants during this last month while in storage. So we were actively vacuuming and wiping it down as we prepped our resupply boxes for our Oregon Blitz. There are fewer miles and fewer climbs along the trail in Oregon. Since hikers tend to power through the state we have adapted our dates of completion as well. After moving the van to new storage in the south of Washington, we rented a car back to where we got off the trail. Whizzing past the signs for Seattle on the Interstate reminded us that we are closer to home!
It is summertime and the heat is with us. Dry, dry grass is all around the hills of Ashland.Heat wave clouds out of AshlandNew hot coloured shoes for both of us!!Walking in the woods on level ground.Our first lava fields with red cinder paths!Forests and…More forestsA shale rock climb up and around Devil’s PeakSome scorched and tortured looking trees on topDrizzle day one of only a few so farMorning pack up in the worst mosquitoes since tree planting camps. We had heard that there were bugs in Oregon but …really??!!Coming into Crater Lake National Park from the southGoregeous Crater Lake after which part of the trail is closed currently due to fire. We are driven around this area.
We arrived at Shelter Cove Resort, our resupply stop, in half the time alloted as a wildfire had closed a section of the trail. There is a rush of PCT hikers who are collecting on either side of the fire zone scrambling to get to the next trailhead. We have been saved by the generous nature and desire to help of the American people. They are outstanding! Trail angels are spending their holidays chauffeuring hikers to and fro and refusing money for gas. It is amazing to be part of these random acts of kindness. We will pay forward somehow some day with warm hearts!
Shelter Cove ResortCheering hikers @ Oregon borderSHOWER SHAKE DOWN (67) from WADog/human from OregonHorses with their peepsEMU + FROSTBITE (30+) Australia KATIE (26) Hong KongBANDIT the philosophizer (26) from Mammoth CACharlton Lake under smoke and haze from a nearby recent fire. The wind changed so we only had 3 hrs of smoke hiking!Later the same day we are no longer in smoke, however we are in recent remains of a fire. Fire/trees for lumber/ volcanic lava is Oregon.How can such devastation be so visually gorgeous??!!Morning walk in the Sisters Wilderness On entering the SISTERS Mtn Wilderness area the sky becomes so clear.A tangled piece of trailInto the lava fields once againJobie and the treeSuch an encompassing view of what is ahead: Mt Washington, Three Finger Jack, Mt Jefferson, Mt Hood (faint). Sunrise at the Sisters observatory Two of the Sisters Mountains through the lava stone observatory windowMount WashingtonLook what the volcanic energy does to us!!An AMAZING trail journey! Long enough to find your way!Walking amongst the lava fieldsOllalie LakeCinnamon & Dumpling from Germany Trail Angel Devil FishJobie & Lion in back end of truckTrail Angel drivers Flora & BlissMT Jefferson from Olallie Lake ResortHanging on the porch of this historic resortOllalie Lake with MT. JeffersonPark-like trails around peaceful Timothy Lake forestsMT. Hood had skiers/boarders on it on Aug 12th!MT. St. Helen’s- last to erupt in 1980! It lost 1,000′ in height after it exploded!Morning glow from Mt. Hood traverseMT. Hood as we hiked around itTunnel Fall’s unusual landscape near Cascade LocksCrossing the “Bridge of the Gods” from Cascade Locks, Oregon to Stevenson, Washington
The high winds along the Columbia River gorge blow us into Washington state! Washington is the last precious stretch of the trail! We are going to cherish these close to home miles!
Zip and Jobie Go Hiking 
thanks for sharing so well…
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I found your blog! Looking forward to reading more.
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