I left a few minutes ahead of Dog Bite this morning and headed up the 500 ft climb to Fire Creek Pass. The pass is at about 6,300 ft.
Once I hit the top, I stopped to eat a little breakfast and dry out my ground sheet. It got soaked last night from the grass. Dog Bite shows up shortly after and I get a hero shot of him on the pass.
Next up is a 4k descent to the Suiattle River at 2,300 feet. Shortly below the pass is Mica lake. A pretty little alpine lake. Wish I would have camped here last night.
Heading down is a long drop through a million short switchbacks. As I lose altitude, the terrain changes from rocky, alpine meadows to overgrown, muddy, wrecked trail spiced with lots of fallen trees. The biting flies are back to munch on my ankles.
It is hot and getting hotter the lower I go. Mosquitoes join the biting fly party. I try to time my slaps so I can squish both a fly or two and a mosquito in one slap. Bug parts smear my hands while I’m stumbling through the now invisible trail. All the while, I’m hearing the increasing roar of the Suiattle getting closer. I can also here the low thump of boulders being rolled downstream. There better be a bridge over this water…. Once I’m near the river, the trail turns west and follows it for 3 miles.
Apparently, the old PCT route had us fording the river. Now it is routed to add 6 miles taking us to a bridge. I found out a few days later that two guys decided to cut that route short and did the ford. They said it was terrifying.
Walking along the river, I’m in a old growth forest filled with huge trees. Alice is furiously sending me messages on my inReach that I’m “off trail” She must be looking at the old route…you know the one where you try to cross the river and die. After a few exchanges we have that settled and I carry on.
This next photo captures just how old the forest is. Take a look at these trees. They are over 6 feet in diameter. I spot a couple that look like Treebeard.
Dog Bite catches up when I reach the bridge. He tells me it had been washed out and rebuilt recently. Wish I’d taken a video of the river when I crossed. it is a churning mess. I can both see and hear the boulders getting shoved down the channel. Can’t imagine fording this beast.
The highlight of the day starts with this sign
And ends with a with a satisfying trip to my forest throne.
Dog bite is going to call it a day and is looking for a camp site. I decide to press on for a couple more miles. I want to be setup for the climb tomorrow. I reach my target site around 8:30pm in the fading light. There is another tent here with a gal in it. I say hi, setup, cook some dinner, and crash before 10. Another 25 miler.