Stevens Pass to Snowqualmie

DAY 19 – Full Zero – Leanworth
The following day we hitched into Levanworth. A very kind couple of locals called Kate and John picked us up right outside the hostel. They filled us in on all things Levanworth + were a great source of Intel. Levanworth is a bavarian themed
Ski resort town that felt much more like Switzerland. When we got out of the car it was super hot. Something that took some getting used to as we had been up at higher elevation and were not used to this furnace.
We spent a pleasant afternoon resupplying and caught up with Emilia and J-dog (Justin) overall pizza and a few beers.
We were told that due to this being a tourist town it would be a hard hitch back, but with a cardboard sign with Stevens pass on it and some creative thumb gestures we were soon on the road again. Big thanks to Russ for the ride and the tales about Louisianna and hog hunting.

Once back at the hostel it was full steam ahead laying out all our new food supplies and arranging in our food bags.
We had another early start and Emilia and Juston were due to kindly pick us up again at 0700 hours. Sergeant major sir (he jokes to Emilia).

Day 20 – Piper Ridge Stealthy campsite with view
15.3 Miles

The alarm went off at the usual 5am and we were packing away our gear similarly military style.
I went up to the kitchen and made us a batch of cheesy scrambled eggs. It’s something we picked up earlier on the trail and is a thing over here. As you cook the eggs you fold a tonne of grated cheese into the mix. Delicious!

Emilia even bought us some fresh doughnuts to get us started.
We also had left over pizza for lunch so today was a great day to be alive.
It felt good to be getting back on the trail and I was full of energy all day.

Not long into the day we met up with Anton eating some ramen at a small lake. Anton is a crazy french dude + Valentines hiking partner and is great company + a very funny guy. He had been having problems with his hip and had spoken to the trail physio and seemed to be back in the game, which was great to see.
I attempted to fish at the lake, but the fishing gods were not smiling down on me that day.
After hiking with Emilia all morning and another girl called Anna who hiked the PCT in 2019, we said our goodbyes to Emilia as she wanted to push on and crank the miles.

Not long after, our other French pal Valentine caught us. He had started at 9 but had still managed to catch us up as he was keen to meet up with Anton.
Later that afternoon Sarah was feeling it. 1st day back on trail with a heavy pack full of fresh resupply is not easy. Imagine strapping a 40 lb wardrobe on you back and walking up a mountain.
We decided to pull in at a Glacier Lake for a swim to wake us both up. It was busy with wknd warriors, but to our surprise the French hiking duo had also had the same idea. After they had left we braved it and went in. The water was very cold, but incredibly refreshing as we both skinny dipped.
The lake was busy + feeling fresh we decided to carry on. On leaving we briefly caught up with Sophie, before heading for Piper Pass. It was starting to cool down a little and with our new found legs we wanted to try and get the climb done.
When we reached the top Anton was running back down towards us. They had found an amazing tent spot with a view and he needed water for the night. Any sign of his hip issues seemingly now gone as he raced down the mountain.
Anton was right the view was epic. We are in God’s country here + the way the trail was routed perfectly to allow for this view. Glacier Peak was positioned behind a series of 7 mountains all at different distances apart that gave a real 3d layered view. That night we all sat and ate our dinner looking out across the mountains all in awe of this magnificent scenery.
I even cracked out the Fireball. A cinnamon whisky blend that made for an excellent night cap.

Anton and Valantine were clearly glad to have met up again and were both on excellent form and with music playing they were both dancing throwing some fat shapes in honour of the mountains. There had been rumours that we might see the northern lights, but in the end we left the boys to it and opted for an earlier night as we were both cream crackered.

The pics I have taken don’t do this justice, but hopefully at least give an idea of the beauty.

DAY 21 – Deer Creek Lake Junction
14.6 Miles

As we packed up blue Jay’s circled demanding breakfast.

Where we had camped was not quite at the peak at Piper pass and we were both surprised at the severity of the morning climb.

The rest of the morning we were going down hill which uses a different set of muscles all over and is harder on the knees.
By around lunchtime we reached a cascading waterfall which made for a tricky crossing. A&T had already crossed and pointed out the best place to cross to avoid us getting wet feet. We carefully walked across a couple of logs that spanned the raging river. After the last big crossing I wanted to avoid getting wet feet, as this resulted in blisters.
The climb out was hard as it was very hot and steep. We ended up using the sun umbrellas again which clip to our packs so both hands are free. These were again a game changer and kept the worse of the sun off of our heads.
We had heard that our friend Fred was bit far behind and as we climbed his distinctive orange T-shirt came into view. We shouted loudly and waved our trekking poles and watched him peer up at the mountain.
It wasn’t long before he caught us as we were sitting having a snack. It was great to see him again after we had lost contact following the big river crossing. Sophie also brightened up our day and joined us for the remainder of the day.
That night we camped at Deer Lake. We had wanted to push on and do more miles as we wanted to reach Spectacle lake the following day, but we were all tired and it was the right decision to call it a day.

We all opted to go swimming in he lake to remove some of the days grime.
It was a great evening and we all ate together. Sophie and Fred both on form.
That night we were awoken by the sound of a large deer moving through the campsite. It kept calling across the lake and the next day Fred informed us that it was an Elk. I wish I had jumped out of my tent to take a closer look, but Sophie confirmed the day after that on leaving the campsite she had seen an Elk.
The toilet was also positioned well and gave an excellent view of the lake.

Day 22 – Stock camp
19.8 Miles

Sarah and I were first up and are getting more efficient at getting moving in the mornings. I even sneaked in a quick bit of fishing off of a large rock jutting out into the lake. With mist rolling across the lake it was great to see a small trout swim up from the depths and take my fly + I was rewarded with another fish on the bank. What a great start to the day!

We walked with Fred for most of the day which started with some easier downflhill. We crossed the crystal clear Wenatkee river which was pristine.
After a quick break and a handful of skittles we had a 2.5K climb to address spread over just 5 miles. Again it was hot and not easy. Water was also a little scarce that day which didn’t help the sitch.
As we climbed we were rewarded with views of big granite monoliths that reminded me of something more like the mountains you might find in Yosemite.
With less tree cover, many trees had long since died, bleached almost white by the sun.
Sophie caught up with us once again as she always seems to by around mid afternoon. She claimed she had seen another bear today along with a number of other mountain creatures. Lucky duck.
Water sources were not great and we filled our water bottles in a shallow creek that fed a pond. Fred commented that it was frog water.

After a end to the long day of descending we pulled into a stock camp, all glad to call it a day. Just as we thought we had the place to ourselves a couple of very loud dudes cruised in. The guy at the front rudley announcing that they were crashing our scene.

Day 23 – Ridge Lake
14.2 Miles

Poor Fred had pitched slightly away from us, but the new recruits had pitched right next to him. They were very loud waking up with one guy moaning and groaning and letting the rest of the world know exactly how he was feeling. I wasn’t impressed and nor was Fred.

Today was a bit of closure for Sarah and I where last year we had visited this area and hiked from Snoqualamie to Spectacke Lake. I remembered the sad feeling I had last year where we had to turn around and head back before he end of our vacation.
This time round we are only just starting out and it felt great to see this very familiar stretch of trail.
We reached a familiar bridge and waterfall where last year Sarah had dunked her head in the water. Beneath the bridge was a small pool of water which was home to a small wild trout. Last year I had said to him I would be back and I wasn’t kidding.
Sadly there wasn’t much space under the bridge and my tankara rod was too long so I resulted in hand lining. My little friend was having none of it so I admitted defeat and said my goodbyes. On leaving I noticed the trout reappear almost waving me farewell. No wonder he had survived so well in his watery home since we had last seen him last year. Fair play.

I had been banging on to whoever would listen about Specatacle Lake. Although as we approached the weather was closing in and it was a very different experience compared to last year.
Rather than spending time swimming and floating on our airbeds in the lake below, Sarah and I made quisadia in batches for the 4 of us. A warm snack to this overcast moody day warmed everyone’s spirits.
The hike from Spectacle lake involved traversing round a series of mountains with a lot if loose rock underneath our feet. This involves a lot more concentration to avoid an injury and it definitely tool it out of all of us.
As we hiked the ominous clouds rolled over the mountains and got lower and lower. The temperature dropped and waterproofs and gloves were needed to help keep us warm.
We rolled into to small lake for the night that Sarah and I had stayed last year.
Ridge Lake was only 7 miles from Snoqualmi and we figured with a early start we would get into town the following day in good time.
We tried to pitch in the same spot as before, but our new tent didn’t fit quite as well. It was also very windy and cold.
Fred had shown me how to optimise how I use my new sleeping quiet and it was needed that night as it was freezing cold.

Last year we had spent the night in the company of a nice couple who were doing this section. Al had caught a trout and cooked it for us, so this time I was keen to see if i could catch one of my own + after dinner Sarah gave me the green light to go fish. As the light faded I was rewarded with another nice little trout + I am starting to enjoy fishing with my little tenkara rod.

Day 24 – WAC – Snoqualmi pass
After an easy 7 miles we have arrived at the Washington Alpine Club, a hostel that we had stayed at last year with an alpine / climbing vibe. It was great to see so many familiar faces roll in. We are starting to develop a nice group of friends almost full of interesting tales and all on the same journey.
As I write this I am surrounding by people people having a good time playing table tennis and hanging out. So without further a do it’s good night and God bless as I have some French ping pong ninjas to try and beat.