August 21, 2017
Mile 1798.9 to Mile 1825 on Crater Lake Rim Alternate (or, as close as you can camp to the lake without gettin’ your eyes wet)
Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hike: Day 108

Had an early start this AM, hiking by 5. Most of the day except 2-3 miles was alternates and fire closures. We go adventurous and bushwhacked between two forest roads to save 2.5 miles, but still ended up with at least 10 miles of paved road walk. It was miiiiserraaabllleeeeee, but we played music and trooped it out, finishing the 23 miles to Mazama Village by about 2pm.

The worst part about the road walk was thinking about how many many more road walks we’ll need to complete for the rest of the trail in order to keep continuous footsteps. That short 17 mile road section was brutal. In part, the lack of shade. In part, the ability to see the road ahead for miles and miles. And in part, constantly moving deeper into the shoulder to dodge cars and then back into the road to be able to walk efficiently. I’m having a hard time imagining doing that for 60+ miles.

After a few beers and conversation with other hiker trash (and finding out they’re not allowed to sell gum at the Crater Lake store), we hiked to mile 1.4 on the Dutton Creek trail—1 mile from the rim of the lake—to camp early. We’ll get up early tomorrow to catch sunrise over the lake.

Other details of today:

it was raining ash while we were at Mazama Village
We didn’t see Sam, Vice or Boathouse. I was hoping we would so I could be not such a jerk.
My brother texted me, I need to call him! I miss him. Broter!!!

Oh yes, and the eclipse was today, that was cool! We had the special glasses to look at the sun. It did get real quiet as the sun slowly got covered up, and it looked like evening time when the eclipse was in totality.