Section Hike – Mexico to Canada 2023 (and beyond)

PCT Section Hike 2025 – Day 3 Southbound – Lolo Pass to Ramona Falls 8/19/25

September 5, 2025December 12, 2025Ian

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

10 miles – PCT mile 2117.3 to 2110 + 3.5 mile hike out

Well, sometimes shit happens. I woke up on day 3 and the IT band on my left hip was super sore. This is the other first I was talking about earlier. I’ve never had that pain whilst hiking before. Pain is of course inevitable, but this seemed different. Here’s the video I made when I got back to Portland. Afterwards will be photos from Day 3 of my hike.

The day began with a big climb and my first Mt Hood view!

Trail – look at the edges of the trail and you can see the holes from all the hiking poles that most hikers walk with

I descended down another 1000 feet to Muddy Creek and crossed on a log. Right after this was when I started to realize my hip was getting worse.

The trail to Ramona Falls was slightly uphill, but my hip made it feel much steeper. It started to become apparent that I may need to bail out. Ramona Falls was beautiful though.

There were plenty of day hikers around. I scoped out who I thought might be a good mark to “yogi” a ride from (thru hiker term) and found Mike and his dog Rogue. He was with another couple as well and I could tell they were good people. The art of yogi-ing a ride is subtle. I started by asking how far it was back to the parking lot and if there was any cell signal there for me to call an Uber. I then explained my predicament and Mike volunteered to take me back to Portland, as his drive brought him near the airport anyway. Success!

Sadly, parking lot would be my destination

I was about 11 miles short of my intended stopping point of Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, but I’ll come back another year. I think I may have undertrained a bit for this trip, compared to my hikes in the previous years and perhaps I also went too fast out of the gate. Regardless, it was a great hike and I got to check some more miles off my ultimate goal of finishing the entire PCT over the coming decades.

PCT Section Hike 2025 – Day 2 Southbound – Wahtum Lake to Lolo Pass 8/18/25

September 5, 2025December 12, 2025Ian

Monday, August 18, 2025

16 miles – PCT mile 2133.4 to 2117.3

I woke up in the fog and cold. I had expected lows in the 50s, but it was certainly in the 40s at least. I’ve got my sleep system down though, so I was nice and toasty in my tent and got a bit of a later start, around 9:30am.

I got to the spot where I was originally going to camp (before deciding to pivot to Wahtum Lake) and there were some beautiful views.

Most of today would be overcast and foggy. No mountain views, but pretty hiking and some amazing trail magic, both human and nature-made.

The trail provides is a phrase you often hear out there. It is amazingly true.

One thing I learned was that Pikas actually live down at this altitude. I thought they were always over 10,000 feet, but I saw and heard several among the rocks down here around 6,000 feet.

High voltage power lines are always crazy to me on trail.

I again pushed a little further than I was planning on, but it was mostly downhill, so I ended at Lolo Pass about 16 miles in.

PCT Section Hike 2025 – Day 1 Southbound – Cascade Locks to Wahtum Lake 8/17/25

September 5, 2025December 12, 2025Ian

Sunday, August 17, 2025

14 miles – PCT mile 2150 – 2133.4 (using Eagle Creek alternate)

Here’s an overview of my full journey, minus the last day. I brought the wrong cord to charge my Garmin InReach, which is my sattelite beacon that tracks my progress, so the last day wasn’t tracked. I actually ended at the Sandy River and Ramona Falls, for a total of just about 40 miles.

I woke up around 7am, packed up, said my goodbyes, and headed towards the Bridge of the Gods. Instead of heading up the actual PCT there, I continued west under the bridge on the historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. This would follow the highway to the Eagle Creek Trail Head, where I would start heading into the woods.

At the trail head there is a salmon hatchery that I found to be pretty cool.

I started up the trail and soon came to the first of several waterfalls. This is Punchbowl Falls.

More falls – didn’t know the name of this one.

The big highlight of this trail is Tunnel Falls. This was spectacular and is the main reason hikers do this alternate instead of the actual PCT.

After Tunnel Falls, I continued on and found a place to eat lunch and soak my feet in the creek.

It was still early in the day, so I decided to try and go a little further than planned to get a jump on the miles. This ended up being harder than anticipated.

I also remembered I had an app called Dual Gram that allows you to record from both sides of the phone, which is kinda cool.

As I continued up, I looked at the topo map and realized the trail I was originally going to take to meet up with the PCT basically went straight up the mountain with no switchbacks. There was also a question of water once I reached the top. There was another option, which I explain in this video.

This was a good decision in the end. The trail was much nicer and I got to end the day at a lake, which afforded me a brief (but cold) swim. I was also chafing really bad on my thighs, which was the first time in my hiking career that had happened. Luckily, I travel with Aquaphor, which would help me heal up quickly. There would be some other firsts on this trip as well, which I will expound upon later.

I got into camp with about an hour to spare before the sun went down and I was beat. I had my own spot on the edge of the lake and fell asleep quickly.

PCT Days in Cascade Locks

September 5, 2025December 12, 2025Ian

Fri-Sat, Aug 15-16, 2025

As I stepped off the train from the Portland airport, I immediately spied one of my people. You can spot the hiker trash a mile away. The grit and grime of their clothes, the backpacks, the PCT emblem clipped to their back if they are thru-hiking; the hiker uniform is unique.

The weather was typical PNW: chilly, foggy, and humid, with the smell of pines in the air. I joined my fellow hikers on the bus heading to the east on Hwy 84 along the Columbia River. I sat next to a hiker named Whiskey, who had gotten hurt in the Sierra and was just following his still-hiking buddies around at trail towns. When we got off in Cascade Locks 45 minutes later, he astutely asked, “well, now what?”. None of us really knew where to go, but we quickly found our way to the campground and park at Thunder Island.

I signed up to volunteer for the weekend, so I got to camp for free on Friday and Saturday nights. My volunteer role was to help out with running the sound, which basically consisted of turning the music down whenever someone needed to make an announcement on the microphone about the various events and gear demos throughout the day. The rest of the time I got to wander around and hang out with hikers and generally have a good time.

After setting up camp, I walked around the small town of Cascade Locks to get the lay of the land. The historic and iconic Bridge of the Gods spans the Columbia River here and is where the trail crosses from Oregon into Washington.

Cascade Locks is tiny and walkable and full of hikers.

Bridge of the Gods toll booth – hikers walk across here, along with traffic

Overnight on Friday it rained and we all woke up a bit soggy, but ready for another full day of gear, friends, and fun.

At the end of the day there was a raffle where thousands of dollars of gear were given away. I didn’t get any, but it worked out because I wouldn’t have had anywhere to keep it anyway, since I was hitting the trail the next morning.

Some of my internet hiking friends – The Codgers

The weather on Saturday night was much better and we all settled in for a nice sunset and the end of a great weekend. I hit the trail the next morning.

On the way to Oregon

August 15, 2025December 12, 2025Ian

Friday, August 15, 2025

I’m at the Austin airport very early this morning, waiting to board my flight to Portland.

I was able to fit all of my gear (barely) into my Zpacks flight case, so my whole system is self-contained and I don’t have to worry about stashing a suitcase somewhere while I hike.

It does feel odd not having a carry on, other than my GG fanny pack, another newer piece of gear that is quickly becoming a favorite.

I spent the last two days going over gear, food, and logistics.

Food from home – the rest I will buy in Oregon

I also permethrin’d my clothes, as it is most certainly mosquito season where I’m going. I hang them in the garage and spray them and let them dry for a few hours.

Once I get to Portland, I’m taking a bus from the airport east along the Columbia River to Cascade Locks. This is where PCT Days is held and I’ll camp here for two nights before starting my hike on Sunday morning.

It’s supposed to rain a lot this weekend, but Sunday the sun comes out. Perfect timing, I hope. Let’s do it!

PCT Section K Southbound – Day 5 – Lake Aloha to Echo Lake Chalet and end of hike 7/19/24

July 26, 2024Ian

Friday, July 19, 2024

6 miles – PCT mile 1099.5-1093.4

Last day! So of course I got lost. I headed out of camp after saying goodbye to the friends I had made the night before and just walked off into the woods.

Once I found my way back to trail, I hiked on toward civilization. Lake houses became more frequent and sweet-smelling day hikers were passing me coming from the other direction. A couple of hours later, I arrived at Echo Lake Chalet, put my pack down, and went inside to get a snow cone for breakfast. This was the end of Section K of the PCT. 65 miles total.

End of Trail

I was happy and exhausted. My trail angel, Madison (Buffer, PCT Class of 2023, just like me), that I had also met at Trail Skills College before the hike, picked me up and drove me to her house in South Lake Tahoe. She and her boyfriend Shawn (Sean?) pampered me and were a blast to hang out with. He likes Star Wars more than almost anyone I’ve ever met and we got along great.

Unfortunately, I found out that I had apparently done this entire hike while infected with Covid.

I had started feeling kinda crappy from day one and just pushed through the miles anyway. The daytime wasn’t bad, but at night I would get a super stuffy nose and was definitely coughing the entire hike. I think I may have had fever that night after the 21 mile day.

But I figure I’ve had worse and proved to myself I can take on a solo hike for a week, sickness and all, and do ok. I’m pretty tired of carrying a bear can and would like to not do that on whatever section of the PCT I tackle next.

The next morning, they drove me to Harrah’s in Stateline to pick up the shuttle bus back up to the Reno airport where I met Rayna again to grab my suitcase and headed back to Texas. Great hike. 10/10, would do again.

PCT Section K Southbound – Day 4 – Desolation Wilderness camp to Lake Aloha 7/18/24

July 26, 2024Ian

Thursday, July 18, 2024

17.5 miles – PCT mile 1116-1099.5

I woke up sore, specifically my shoulders. Legs were actually fine. Now I was heading into Mordor for mosquitos, apparently. Also, Dick’s Pass, the highest pass I would cross on this hike (9000+ ft) was looming in the afternoon.

As I came out of mosquito hell, I started to get into the lakes section of the Desolation Wilderness and it was pretty spectacular.

Dick’s Pass was a 1500 foot climb and was a bit daunting, but you just have to take it one step at a time. I did it in about an hour. I bonked pretty hard at the top, as I had waited to eat lunch, so my body was completely out of fuel, but the views were great.

Looking down on Dick’s Lake from whence I came

The entire trail down from Dick’s Pass was NOT my favorite. If you’re a fan of sharp rocks stabbing your feet though, have I got a trail for you!

God damn rocks

The rest of the day wound up and down past a couple of smaller lakes and then opened up to Aloha Lake (Lake Aloha? I’m not sure what the proper order is) where I would find my favorite campsite of the trip. Great neighbors, including two Sobo hikers that were continuing into the Sierra further south and also a couple and their friend, and their dog (Doug), who had hiked in from Echo Lake to basecamp and day hike. Fantastic swim in Aloha Lake to end the night.

PCT Section K Southbound – Day 3 – Five Lakes to Desolation Wilderness bush camp 7/17/24

July 26, 2024Ian

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

21 miles – PCT mile 1137-1116

This was the longest distance I have ever hiked in a single day. 21 miles.

I woke up early, checked that my water was full, and headed straight up hill. It’s always best to get big climbs out of the way early, I’ve found.

Once I got to the top of the ridge, it was a lovely day and I just enjoyed the breeze and easy trail.

After a while I did have to sit down and do some foot care, as the outside of my left heel, which is always the first place to blister no matter what it seems, started to blister. This and the outside of my right heel were the only two blisters I would incur on this trip, so I think the new toe-sock liner combo I tried worked out pretty well.

Top to bottom: toe-sock liner, regular sock, leukotape, ibuprofin, blister bandages, sit pad

A little while later, I came to the junction of the PCT and the TRT (Tahoe Rim Trail). From here, the TRT joins the PCT until just south of Echo Lake, where I would end my section hike, so I would be on both trails for the remainder of this trip.

I would also reach the other end of the Granite Chief Wilderness.

Then it was lunch time and I found a wonderful little creek to lounge by.

After lunch, I passed several hikers who had good news for me: trail magic just down the hill! I honestly didn’t even think I would run into any trail magic on this trip, so it was a wonderful surprise. First, I walked through an idyllic field of Wooly Mule’s Ears again.

As I descended down to a trail head parking lot, I saw some Nobo hikers surrounding a couple of coolers of soda. Trail magic! Thank you trail angels!

I knew I had another climb to get to my goal, 5 miles ahead and 3 miles past Richardson Lake in the Desolation Wilderness. With about 3 hours left of daylight, I put on some climbing music (metal) and put my head down to power through.

Those last 2 miles were ROUGH. They were flat, but mentally challenging, knowing this was my longest day ever and that I was almost at the end of it. I collapsed at camp and it was all I could do to set up my tent and force down a protein bar for dinner. I didn’t even brush my teeth this night. Just lay flat on my back and fell asleep quickly. There was no breeze and all was silent.

PCT Section K Southbound – Day 2 – Trail Camp to Five Lakes Basin 7/16/24

July 26, 2024Ian

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

8 miles – PCT mile 1145-1137

I didn’t go nearly as far as I should have on this day, but sometimes water sources and terrain dictate the day, rather than a mileage goal. It was totally worth hanging out at Five Lakes for a couple of hours to swim.

I woke up and was packed and on trail just after 7am as the sun was starting to peek over the peaks.

I would find my bug net later, don’t worry

silent and beautiful

I would soon reach the boundary of the Granite Chief Wilderness, one of two wilderness areas I would hike through on this trip. Wilderness areas were first designated by the 1964 Wilderness Act (click this link for more info).

An excerpt from that act: “A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.”

No motorized equipment of any kind (chainsaws, ATVs, etc) are allowed in wilderness areas, meaning any trail maintenance has to be done purely by hand.

Granite Chief Wilderness

one of my favorite pics of the whole hike

I ran into a Nobo hiker named Hummingbird! I had to pose with my trail doppelganger

the trail in this section has endless fields of Wooly Mule’s Ears plants

I hiked on and got to the 5 Lakes Basin early in the afternoon, where I decided it was time to swim. I couldn’t camp right by the lake, but it was worth the .2 mile detour.

arriving at 5 Lakes Basin

Swim!

Ducks!

Once I was done with my swim I headed back to camp and realized I had only gone 8 miles today, instead of my intended 12-15, which threw me into a momentary panic about mileage. I was faced with a 1000 foot climb out of camp and no water for several miles if I were to continue today. After a campsite mate talked me down from the ledge, I realized I would just have to push mileage a bit more than I wanted the next couple of days to get back on track. I settled in for the evening and prepared for a long day tomorrow.

PCT Section K Southbound – Day 1 – Donner SNO Park to Camp 7/15/24

July 26, 2024July 26, 2024Ian

Monday, July 15, 2024

13 miles – PCT mile 1157-1145 (plus one mile from SNO Park to PCT junction)

For reference, here is the map of my track over the whole hike, which took four and a half days. For some reason it didn’t start tracking until a little ways in, but I actually started at the red arrow (I-80).

First day on trail! My pack was HEAVY with a full bear canister and 2.5 liters of water. No stove though!

My trail angel from the PCTA Trail Skills College, Abel, drove me to breakfast and then the trail head. He’s from Tehachapi, CA, another trail town down in southern California and trail angels hikers all the time. Hundreds a year, he says. He has also biked across the US and climbs and hikes all the time too. He’s a great guy and I have his contact info for when I do his section of the PCT one day!

I had a mile to hike from the trail head to meet up with the PCT. Within 5 minutes I saw my first wildlife. Marmot!

I took a lot of videos on this hike to try and illustrate the trail experience a bit better.

The trail started to wind up the mountain towards Donner Ski Ranch.

I put on my sun gloves like a good husband of a dermatologist would and hiked on to the Ski Ranch.

Then I came to a very nice section of trail.

As I strolled into Donner Ski Ranch with the other hikers who were there at 9:30am, the bartender insisted on me getting the 40 oz malt liquor and I figured it was hiker tradition, so what the hell. I tried to trade it for a beer, but she said “nope, it’s the 40 at Highway 40” and that’s what I had to get. I only had the one cup and wasted the rest, but oh well.

I charged up my phone a bit and continued on trail, up a 1000 foot climb to the ridge overlooking Donner Lake that I would be on for the rest of the afternoon.

First big climb

Hey, still some snow! But not really wanting to risk the traverse.

That’s better.

I continued on the exposed ridge as clouds started to form overhead. I knew I had quite a long exposed section, so when it started to thunder, I made the call to get down off trail into some trees a couple of hundred yards below.

The rain intensified and soon became a not very fun experience. It lasted almost an hour and I had to take lightning precautions, which involved spreading out my pack and my poles away from me (metal) and also standing on my sit pad as an insulator, while at the same time keeping my body moving to avoid hypothermia as the temperature dropped probably 30 degrees and I was getting wet.

I continued on the trail being chased by more rain clouds the rest of the day, but thankfully nothing more materialized. I also got my first view of Lake Tahoe.

The hike then took me over some scree fields around Anderson Peak and Tinker Knob around 9000 feet before descending down into a valley where I would make camp.