Day 3
Similar to yesterday, I woke to the sound of rain and took my time getting ready, hoping it would let up before I started. The rain was stubborn, and I wasn’t in too big of a hurry, so I didn’t get on trail until a little after 9 am. Most of the morning was shrouded in clouds and mist, and large stretches of the trail were lined with delicious, ripe, mile-sucking huckleberries.
Most of the day was spent on wooded hills with limited views. The most noticeable change has been the trail grade. The PCT throughout most of California and Oregon, and even thus far in Washington, has been well graded with few steep climbs and descents. This changes sometime today with stints of steep climbs and descents. The climbs aren’t an issue, but the descents leave my left knee a little sore. I roll into camp a little earlier than usual after putting in 24 miles, leaving me only 20 miles from Snoqualmie Pass where I have a room booked tomorrow night.
Day 4
I wake up to a dry morning for a change and hit the trail early with town, and more importantly, a brewery and restaurant, on my mind. The first 11 miles go by quickly, and I stop at Mirror Lake for an early lunch. The trail after lunch is some of the most uneven, rocky, and root covered trail I’ve hit yet and even throws in some steep ups and downs for a little more fun. It forces me to slow down for the 1st 4 miles until the trail improves and I can cruise the rest of the way into town.
I show up too early to check into my hotel, so do the only reasonable thing I can and walk straight to the brewery to enjoy a cold beer and shade. When I get up to head to the hotel, I realize my left knee is more than a little sore. I’m supposed to be meeting up with our friend Matt tomorrow for the next 70-mile stretch but instead make the tough decision to head back to Portland to figure out how much of an issue it is. Angela was already in Washington, shuttling Matt and Jessi, and meets me at the hotel so she can drive me back to Portland the next day.
Emge Adventures 
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