Day 131-133: The Bridge of the Gods
August 13-15; Mile 2128-2148
Day 131
I left camp in my puffy after a cold night in my borrowed quilt. I was looking forward to carrying my sleeping bag with me through Washington.
The trail led steeply down through the remains of the Eagle Creek fire from 2017. Downed, blackened trees littered the trail, but fireweed grew stubbornly amid the destruction. I had chosen to take the alternate route down past Eagle Creek and the waterfalls scattered throughout the gorge.
At Tunnel Falls I hiked through the hole blasted into the rock behind the sheet of water. Day hikers began gathering on the trail, and I hurried downward before the crowds grew too thick. The final hour flew by as I powered through over 3.5 miles; I had to go to the bathroom and the trail was essentially a thin strip of rock alongside a cliff.
At the parking lot a woman asked if I was a thruhiker and then offered me water and granola bars. She and her partner were visiting from Portland for the weekend to backpack up to Wahtum Lake, and we chatted while I waited for Dov to show up.
After a quick lunch in Cascade Locks at a burger joint, I donned my pack and walked up to the Bridge of the Gods. It was time to leave Oregon and cross over into Washington – the beginning of the end.
Cars rumbled by as I walked along the metal grating, watching the waters of the Columbia flowing far below. Wind whipped past, and I grabbed my hat before it was blown into a different state. It didn’t matter that I’d only been able to hike about half of Oregon. I was on my way home, with less than a month remaining before I would hang up my pack and return to normal life.
Day 132-133
Dov and I spent the next two days relaxing in the wonderful town of Stevenson. We picnicked along the shore of the Columbia River; we spent an afternoon at the brewery in Carson; we ate breakfast in the backyard of our rental.
On the last evening we both dressed up for a date night at the restaurant in town, and then we strolled along the riverfront as the sunset faded to dusk.
Returning to trail the next morning was going to be difficult, but only 500 miles stood between me and the Canadian border. I’d be there soon enough.
8 Comments
Dov
Look at those charming faces 😀
Such gorgeous waterfalls! The Gorge is just awash with excellent hikes. I’m so glad you stopped to take some pictures and got to have a chat while you waited for me to pick you up. You’re making such progress!
chasingalpenglow
and I’m so glad I got to spend time with you!
peggy
Love this <3
you're on the home stretch
chasingalpenglow
Thank you!
Ann
Jane and I met a few more of your fellow thru-hikers on our hike to the Kendall Katwalk and Ridge Lake. We met Pika, Tony (Toni?), and Steve. We brought fresh grapes to share at Ridge lake. Welcome back to Washington!
chasingalpenglow
Yay!! Oh I miss Tony. She and I hiked together hear Burney (her real name is Inge). I’m so glad to hear you were adding some trail magic out there
Ray
What a milestone . . . congrats. Maybe walk a step slower all through WA to savor everything around you. You’re never going to do this again (I’ll bet) . . .
chasingalpenglow
Hahah, yes I have no plans to thru-hike the PCT again. My post-hike plans (for now) mostly include eating ice cream, sitting on comfortable furniture, and spending time with Dov