From Goats to Wonderful: Mile 2332

Written 8/20/14

Posted 8/25/14

The past few days have all been incredible in different ways. Walking through Goat Rocks Wilderness was some of the most impressive and beautiful landscape that we've seen, White Pass was an exceptional rest day, and we've just stepped on to the Wonderland Trail in the foothills of Mount Rainier. 

Not long after went entered Goat Rocks we felt like we had transported back to the High Sierras. We emerged from the dark and mossy Washington woods into alpine fields bursting with wildflowers surrounded by steep rocky peaks. Unlike California, most of the climbs in Washington have ended without any great view, but the climbs in Goat Rocks ended on top of exposed mountain passes that made you feel like you were on top of the world. 

The pinnacle of our climb ended at the top of Snowy Peak which was a steep grueling climb which should've offered unparalleled views of the Goat Rocks Wilderness but unfortunately our clear day ended when we got there. The mountain ridges were engulfed in thick grey clouds which presented its own type of beauty but we would've preferred the unending views. We walked along an exposed knife ridge for 2 miles and the fog was so thick that it looked like you were descending into nothingness.

Despite our bad luck with the weather on top of Snowy Peak, we had clear skies on top of Cispus Pass early that day.

The day after Goat Rocks, we made a quick 15 mile scramble to get into our next "town" stop, White Pass, which was nothing more than a ski lodge and convenience store. Luckily we don't need much to keep us happy, so we decided to get a room at the lodge, sleep in a bed, and treat ourselves a bit. We stayed in a room the was outfitted for a ritzy skier so the rooms were a little nicer than we were used to but we decided to splurge as a post-engagement celebration. The ladies at the store were very sweet and hooked us up with lots of discounted snacks and drinks. This was obviously a small "town" with limited resources but it was only a half mile walk from the trail and it was nice to not have to hitch for a change.

After we left White Pass we did a quick 30 miles through some of the best berry pickin' terrain we've seen yet. Today we left the PCT to start our loop on the Wonderland Trail. We thought it would be tricky to get here since it was a roundabout hitch through a national park but to our surprise the first car we saw snagged us and took us directly to the ranger station. Also, much to our surprise, we got our permit figured out very quickly since apparently walking on to the Wonderland Trail is easier than we thought. So within an hour of getting off the PCT and after one of the rangers gave us a ride to the trailhead, we arrived with permit in hand on the Wonderland Trail. We even got a few miles in and are currently huddled in our tent at Sunrise Camp. We only hiked 3 miles but we've already had breathtaking views of Rainier which looks ENORMOUS!!!! 

We're really excited to make our way around this voluptuous volcano. We're going to have to get used to a few things that are different from the PCT like pit toilets at the campsites and noisy neighbors and crowded trails but it should be well worth it; this trail is supposed to be quite impressive. 

Since returning to the wet woods of the PNW, the mosquitos, that were starting to die down in California, have made an astonishing comeback. They've been driving us crazy and Mike was inspired to write his second poem, Ode to Mosquitos, to express his disdain. We hope you like it as much as Ode to Oatmeal! 

Ode to mosquitoes

O mosquitoes

Cruel, conniving creatures 

Nature's narcissistic nuisances

You unrelenting beasts

On my flesh do feast

Is there no place that you won't bite me?

From my ears to my toes

Arms, legs, and elbows

And even on my eyeballs to spite me

Your high whiny buzz

Leaves me weary because

It's like some form of sleep deprivation

The sound of your flight 

Near my head at night

Denies me any relaxation

For I fear if I sleep

Into my tent you'll creep

And leave me with itchy abrasions

It's not til I swat you

That silence ensues

And gives me total elation

It seems that spreading disease

And sucking my blood as you please

Are your only biological roles

I feel no pangs of guilt

For all that I've killed

Since you're breeding is out of control

You're as sure as the sun

Been with us since day one

I don't know if my sanity can hang on

I yearn for the day

When you fly away

And every last one of you are gone