- gspencer16
Day 84: Sister Mirror Lake to CS1991 (34.9 miles - 1991.2)
Updated: Sep 17, 2019
July 30, 2016 - Got a little cold last night, steam was coming off my pee this morning. With the cooler temps I was hoping that there would be no mosquitos. At first it appeared they were gone but I was wrong, they were right there to greet me when I left my tent. So like yesterday I packed up quickly.
It didn’t take long but the mosquitos slowly started to decrease, had a good feeling about the day.
I had about 35 miles planned and I figured to be nice to my shin I would back off the pace and take more short breaks throughout the day. I did stop and talk to a lot of people, crowded trail but I guess a popular spot in 3 Sisters.
I didn’t stay in the woods too long as I came out into a field with some amazing views of 3 Sisters, I saw them most of the day.
I slowly started heading north and got great view after great view. I was so done hiking in the forest but it does make for fast hiking. I figure the rest of the day would be out in the open and lucky for me there was a nice cool breeze all day.
I started to enter a lava rock field and hiked up to Opie Dilldock Pass which was my high point for the day, again great views. Then it was down to the highway.
Had a great lunch stop at Matthieu Lake. Spend longer than planned but figured I would do a little resting and swimming.
About a mile and a half from the road I entered another lava rock field which lasted for 4 miles, there was a short break in the lava rock while crossing the road. Then down to a burn section which lucky for me I decided to hike later in the day while it was nice and cool.
I did see that there was a fire going on out to the west. I thought I had seen something earlier in the day but got a good look heading down Mt Washington. I talked with a PCTA volunteer who had a forest service radio and said nothing had been closed so I hiked on.
Got to camp before dark. I didn’t have to rush to set up as the mosquitos weren’t too bad. Another long day planned for tomorrow so let’s hope my shin stays pain free like today.
