Slept late, still feel like we're catching up on zzzz's, I guess we need a day that we REALLY take off, completely! Nevertheless, we were out of the campground, with boots, by 11:45. The only maps I could find on the internet in this area were cross-country skiing maps (there's a ski lodge just across the street), which also happened to be good for horses, too, and the Pacific Crest Trail which apparently runs the entire length of the North American continent. We took a few of the short loops, then finally found the intersection for the Pacific Crest Trail (though it was only marked no bicycles at that point), where a pair of hikers assured us it was the right on, and they were kind enough to let us go first so we wouldn't have to pass where it was more narrow. We climbed and climbed (again) in search of views of Mt. Ranier, which we never quite found, before heading back down to a lovely area full of lakes and grass for lunch, then back by 4:15. The trails were fine, mostly dirt with some areas of rocks, and the trees were magnificent tall firs, many of them hundreds of years old. The trail was well maintained, with quite a few foot bridges over muddy spots and no trees across, all had been cut up. Really pretty, and the weather was perfect, partly cloudy in the seventies. We even passed a surviving patch of snow, would you believe! The first week of August and it was still holding out! Settled down for the evening, catching up on the blog while I have a good signal Not so sure I'll have one tomorrow!
