8/4/2023
Section: Milepost 1840.2 to 1822.7
Total Trail Miles: 1116.7/2650
Distance: 13.7 Miles
Moving Time: 05:21
Elevation Gain: 1877 ft
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Today's stage makes its way on the Crater Lake Rim trail up to the rim of the lake itself. Once on the rim, the trail proceeds counter-clockwise, edging along the southern rim before reaching the main visitor center on the southwest side. Once there, the Dutton Creek trail is used to connect back to the pct, south of the visitor center. The stage ends today at Mazama village in the southern half of the park.
I cut my foot open last night frantically trying to get the rainfly one. That’s right - for the first time since May, we were rained on and I wasn't ready for it. The cut wasn’t bad but it was irritating. Point is, we slept in just a little bit. We were meeting my dad and mom at Mazama village around noon but I was somewhat confident we could still make it even if we slept in a bit.
We got up and did not have tea, because we were out, which was devastating. Our morning activities garnered a few squeaks from the Pikas but other than that we were on our way without delay. The trail climbed up and out of the basin on the northern side of the park. I stopped briefly when I got service to make sure but Tdap immunization was still current - don’t want to die from tetanus out here, that would be stupid. Amanda just rolled her eyes at me when she found out that’s why we were stopping. About 2 hours of climbing brought us to the rim and we looked down at the bluest lake I’ve ever seen. I should say, I’ve seen this lake several times but the color always stuns me.
We took some pictures but had to keep moving. My parents were leaving Corvallis soon and it wasn’t going to take that long for them to get down to Crater and we still had a ways to go. We descended a bit on the rim trail and talked with a group from South Dakota who were interested in the trail. The Rim trail is a bit more volatile than the PCT - lot’s of steep ups and downs but many epic views of the lake. As we walked I ate some peanut butter. I have a new method where I keep the peanut butter jar in my water bottle holster and the spoon hangs from my left shoulder strap and stays strapped down by the sunglasses loop - really nifty.
2 more hours brought us to the lodge and we made a brief stop at the gift shop for some post cards and to people watch - so many clean tourists. I got some coffee and chips and Amanda got my dad a card. It’s 70 days till his 70th birthday today so, gotta remind him. From the visitor center we walked across the parking lot and descended on the Dutton creek trail. Thunder echoed in the distance as we moved down the trail. For some reason, Dutton creek had been forgotten by the park’s trail crews and was in terrible shape. We slowed way down, which was concerning because we were already going to be late to meet my parents…and then - the thunder storm hit. About 30 minutes into the connector trail hail began to fall, gently at first and then - total gail. We frantically put the rain covers on our backpacks, not even bothering it get into them for our own rain gear before making our way through the hail. Water began flowing down the trail and the sky was lighting up nearby followed by huge cracks of thunder. This went on for about 5 minute before, as rapidly as it ad appeared, it disappeared. 30 more minutes of walking and the sun came out, beginning to dry out soaked clothes.
We hacked our way through more blowdown as we made our way down the Dutton trail. Suddenly, we saw another hiker coming through the blowdown. “Honey Cheddar!” Amanda yelled as a young guy looked up at us. Honey Cheddar had been in William’s group down near Acton. William was the guy who had Hemophilia and Spigot, who we had seen a few days before, was also part of that group. We talked with Cheddar for a while before saying goodbye and to enjoy the rim trail. Shortly after talking with him we rejoined the PCT and things got much better blowdown wise.
From the junction we continued on south and then eventually took a connector trail a mile down to Mazama village.
Mazama village is a popular spot on the PCT for hikers. They have free camping, showers and laundry - all of which we desperately needed. As we pulled into the parking lot I saw my dad and gave him a big hug. Amanda did the same, issuing a warning that she was very stinky. We swung around to the front of Annie Creek grill and did the same for my mom who was sitting and reading. Afterwards, we went inside and ordered dinner. I went with a classic burger and beer combo. We sat and talked with my parents for a couple hours. After, Amanda made the executive decision that we were staying the night as it was down pouring again and 4 o’clock already. We went across the parking lot to the general store to collect the package my mom had sent earlier, not knowing she would be down to see me in person during the collection. This was cool ‘cause she got to see us open one of her hiker boxes and organize the things. We went through the box and pulled out the things we wanted. The exces we put back in a bag for them to ship at a later date.
After that they had to leave back for home. We said goodbye and thanked them again before heading into the campground to set up our tent. Later that night we got dinner, took a shower and did laundry. It had been 10 days since we had done the latter 2, and were in dire need of both. After that, we passed out in the campground having completed one of our wettest days on the trail.
