Dan Oakes (PCT)

I’m long-overdue for a proper break. I surprised my family with a visit and walked as little as possible.

2100 miles down, 550 to go! 2019 is a record snow year, which forced most hikers to bypass the Sierra and return later. Over the next 40’ish days, I’ll walk from Chester to Independence (green arrows below).

I made it to the border!

Celebrating atop the monument!

For reference, this is 143 days ago at the Mexican border. Same shirt and pants. I’m definitely more ‘weathered’ and at least 20lbs lighter.

Ascend 4585ft, Descend 4088ft

Ascend 4014ft, Descend 4007ft

Only 35 miles to Canada!

Ascend 4915ft, Descend 1474ft

Climbed to the top of the ridge and was greeted by a new set of mountains.

A swollen creek, flush from all the rain:

Before the rain resumed:

Ascend 3045ft, Descend 1517ft

Leaf covered lake:

Rushing water:

View from the bridge:

Overlooking the lake:

Best bakery ever — spent most of the day lounging here:

Ascend 1645ft, Descend 5870ft

Pause in the sun to dry my tent and shoes:

Long exposure from the bridge:

Ascend 4248ft, Descend 4182ft

Sunrise from the tent:

A sun ray punching through the clouds:

Endless green:

Long exposure using the bridge as a tripod:

Ascend 4298ft, Descend 4182ft

Mica Lake is easily one of my top-5 spots:

Awesome spot to pause for lunch:

The Cascades extending North:

Pausing for a short break:

By 6pm, I’ll have climbed the opposite side:

The view from the top:

Up and over the ridge:

Hard to see, but there are two bears in the valley below:

Nothing to worry about here:

Ascend 4336ft, Descend 4691ft

A foggy morning:

Finally, the fog lifts:

Walk past an unnamed alpine lake:

A furry friend:

Can’t believe I’m going to walk across all that:

Resembles a large bowel:

Long exposure, using the bridge as a tripod:

Ascend 4996ft, Descend 5043ft

Bad idea: walking up to a bear

Good idea: stopping when he notices you

Neutral idea: walking parallel to a bear

Ascend 593ft, Descend 405ft

Skykomish with the Whisyling Post in the foreground:

A short break then back to it:

Ascend 5029ft, Descend 5456ft

Clouds over the Cascades:

Folds in the hills:

Losing track of all the alpine lakes:

Ascend 4066ft, Descend 5068ft

Little guy found a nut:

Descending into the valley down a washed out trail:

Ascend 4992ft, Descend 4849ft

The first of many alpine lakes:

Walking the ridgeline:

Can’t believe I’m going to walk across all that:

Crest the ridge:

The Cascades ahead:

Pause to cool off by a trailside waterfall

Ascend 3002ft, Descend 668ft

Welcome to Mt. Baker: