In the past four days, we witnessed some of the most beautiful and varied scenery the Pacific Crest Trail has to offer. Below we share the visual story of our journey through the Three Sisters Wilderness, Mt. Washington Wilderness, and Mt. Jefferson Wilderness. Happy viewing!
Day 125: Desane Lake (Mile 1948)-Near Rock Mesa (Mile 1970); 22 miles
Day 126: Near Rock Mesa (Mile 1970)-McKenzie Pass (Mile 1990); 20 miles
Day 127: McKenzie Pass (Mile 1990)-Near Big Lake (Mile 2002.5) + 1.5 off trail for resupply at Big Lake Youth Camp; 14 miles
Day 128: Near Big Lake (Mile 2002.5)-Near North Cinder Peak (Mile 2025.5); 23 miles
Wandering the Wild 
Wow is all I can say.. You guys sure are tough , it is interesting to watch your how you both have physically changed throughout your trip. Looks like a good way to lose weight ;) I hope your well and thanks for sharing. I can’t imagine how good it must feel to get that nice clean t-shirt in a re-supply I bet it really helps mentally.
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We feel great, about five pounds thinner than we were at the beginning of the hike, but our weights are stable now. We probably won’t be in better shape than this in our lives!
The new shirt is nice. Wearing the old shirt 24/7 for four months straight stretched it out too much. We like to see how long we can go with our clothes and gear, because we don’t like to waste anything.
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So glad the forest fires didn’t spoil your time in Oregon. The scenery is beautiful. The cookies look good, too. :-)
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The fires made us detour a few extra miles, but we still walked almost all of the PCT in Oregon, and we loved it. We were happy we could share some of the best views in this post.
The cookies were awesome. There’s nothing like home-baked cookies for a trail treat!
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I can’t help but laugh , sorry ;) When I look at that picture of Chris sitting at the picnic table with what looks to be real food , I was thinking he is looking to see if Anna wasn’t looking so he can take one of her french fries ;) He looks so happy sitting there with that food…
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We are very happy with our trail food, and eat really well in the backcountry. Even so, it’s always a treat to have fresh veggies, milk, and things like that. We don’t take any of our food for granted, that’s for sure!
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I love the photo essays. Every picture tells such a story. From putting up the tent, to chugging the drink, to devouring the real food and opening the box of cookies and granola bars (was that another birthday surprise, North Star?). To Shutterbug relaxing as he takes in that gorgeous view, and later holding up his three fingers (That has something to do with the mountains behind I think, though what exactly remains a mystery to me…) And of course, the frost on the tent, and the amazing wildflowers. Awesome photo essay! Thanks so much.
Are you two familiar with the photographs of Jonathan Singer? He has taken many close ups of flowers, all with a black background. We just went to an exhibit of his at the New Jersey State Museum. They were stunning photos…as are yours. His two favorite subjects are flowers and graffiti–all transitory stuff.
Jonathan Singer Photography
http://www.jonathan-singer-photography.com/
Exquisite Photographs of Single Blooms of the World’s Rarest Plants.
Jonathan Singer – Botanica Magnifica – Roots &Transitory Art
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Thanks Mom, glad you found so much to appreciate here! Telling stories is very much our goal, even when we do it without words as we do in this post. It’s great that the stories came through for you.
The cookies are from Jim and Cindy — they added them to our food resupply box as a surprise. The peak is called Three Fingered Jack, thus the unusual gesture.
I haven’t heard of Jonathan Singer before, but I’d love to take a look when I get a nice large screen and fast connection. It sounds great.
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An amazing photo essay! Thank you!
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Thanks Dad, that means a lot to both of us! We are really happy you like it.
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And I forgot to mention that incredible rainbow!
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Yes, those falls with the rainbow were really cool. They’re called Obsidian Falls, and to see that black shiny rock in person is even better. It’s exciting that the rainbow came across well in the photograph!
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Wonderful photos! The frost on the flowers…just incredible.
Happy late birthday, Anna.
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Thanks Jane, we were pretty frosty ourselves that morning, but it was very cool to see how the frost coated the plants and flowers. Thanks for the birthday wishes too!
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Love how you snuck that 2000 mile post by us. Hooray!!!!
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Yes, we were wondering who would notice. Thanks!
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I’ll second that wow….. “wow”
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Thanks, we are always happy when people respond that way!
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I had a different take on the grey t-shirt. It looked about 5 sizes too big!!
Loved the ghost trees at night with their curled limbs. And Chris taking in the purple mountain majesties.
Question: Do you use your poles all the time while walking, or just where it’s rocky and/or going up & down?
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Thanks Margaret! Glad you like the night shot. Sometimes it’s hard to stay awake long enough to take those, after walking 20-something miles.
We use our trekking poles all the time, even on level ground. They provide the most benefit on steep uphill and downhill sections of trail, but they are always useful to provide stability and a bit of propulsion. Now they are so familiar to us that it feels strange to hike without them.
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Beautiful photos! North Star, I love how you wear white and surely then not afraid of getting it dirty! LOL
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Thanks Sabrina! We are definitely used to dirt by now, and white is really comfortable to wear in the hot sun.
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So lovely! I’m sitting in my office seething with awe and inspiration (and a wee bit of jealousy too.) I see you’re nearing Mt. Hood and will probably be past it by the weekend, which is good for you as it’s labor day weekend and the area will be packed with weekenders, but sad for me because I won’t get to come out and say hi like I’d wanted. I can’t get enough of your journey on the PCT. Stunning photography.
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Thanks Denise, we love bringing some of the backcountry into cubicle land! Sorry we will miss you, but we are happy to enjoy the area without big crowds. We hope you love our photos from the Cascades too. We can’t wait to traverse that range!
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My co-worker’s boyfriend is also doing the PCT; however, he is not technologically savvy like yourselves so she only get’s a phone update every so often. So we have been vicariously following him through your blog since Day 1 so a big thank you from our office! We’ve enjoyed every post! Good luck on the rest of your trip!
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Thank you Brent! It’s exciting that your whole office is following, and that you are so into it. Just curious, what’s your co-worker’s boyfriend’s trail name? Maybe we know him!
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My co-worker’s boyfriend’s trail name is Recycle but I don’t think you’ve met up. You started a few days ahead of him. He got sidelined in California for a week with a mild injury. He flew up ahead of you and he already reached Canada. Another brief rest and he is doubling back to finish the Sierras. My co-worker also told me the following:
“Tell Shutterbug that Rockin’ (Lady on A Rock) gave Tom his trail name (they know Rockin). In fact, it was Rockin’s blog where I discovered Shutterbug.”
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Cool, Rockin’ is awesome! We haven’t met Recycle but it sounds like he is doing well, that’s great. Cheers!
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We met you when we arrived at Timberline Lodge after our Mt. Hood Timberline Trail Loop. Thanks for sharing so much through your photos! We love your blog and I especially enjoy reading about your food and gear. We’ll keep following your trek and wish you the best!
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Hi, it was good to meet you at Timberline! We are glad our information was helpful, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask. PCT planning and dreaming is such fun.
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Three Sisters Wilderness? Hey! I’ve been there before, way back in 1993, I think. Nastiest bloodthirstiest mosquitos I’ve ever encountered! That was mid summer, I assume they were all spent by the time you guys arrived. Looking good dudes!
Dante
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Thanks Dante! You are right about the mosquitos, they were few and well behaved for us. We donated plenty of blood to them back in Yosemite, so we figure we have done our part. Aren’t the Three Sisters amazing?
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CHRIS ALEXANDER — YOU LOOK LIKE MR. GRIZZLY LET ME CLIMB THAT MOUNTAIN GET OUT OF MY WAY BEARS BECAUSE I CAN MESS U UP I AM KING OF THE WORLD INTO THE WILD MOGLI IS HERE IN THE FLESH I AM MAN HEAR ME ROAR.
ANNA – I AM SO SORRY THIS IS SO BELATED: HAPPY BIRTHDAY NORTH STAR!!!!!!!!!!!
PS — was it you who sent Joe the Orc poster? BECAUSE WE FRAMED IT IN A GORGEOUS WHITE FRAME AND WE ARE OBSESSED. And it’s ORANGE! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
WE MISS U GUYS! I HOPE THIS MADE YOU LAUGH. THAT WAS MY INTENTION.
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Lili, your comments are awesome. You succeeded in making us laugh. A lot!
Congrats on finishing the filming, that is such an accomplishment! We didn’t send you the poster, but we are happy for you, haha. Much love from us both!
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We discovered who sent us the poster. hahaha. it was adam! we had no idea. anyways, it beautiful and you two will love it!
We are here with your mom who is visiting us in LA! So much fun.
When you get back we will cook you the biggest baddest meal of your life with everything you could ever wish for. you tell us what u want and we WILL cook it.
WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH AND WE ARE THINKING OF YOU.
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Aww, thanks Lili! A feast sounds perfect, though we will have to walk 20 miles afterwards to keep ourselves trim. Glad you are having a great time with Mom!
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