Bear Cubs and Switchbacks; Oh my!!

Day 4
Thursday, August 7th, 2014

13 PCT Trail Miles
Deep Lake to Waptus Burn Trail Junction

PCT mile 2446 to 2433 (+1/2mi back to PCT from Deep Lake)                13.5 Total Miles
2,780ft elevation gain; 1,759 loss

We were up and back on the trail early this morning.  We know we have a lot of down and up today, so wanted to get a good start on it.  I still can't get over how lucky we have been with the weather. Simply stunning!! I'm so looking forward to seeing Waptus Lake again.  I have been there on three different occasions in the past.  It's just so huge.  In fact, it is the largest lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.  The first time was in 1992, then 93, and again in 98.  So the last time was 16 years ago!! Wow, how can that be.

On the way down to Waptus Lake from Deep Lake we ran into a pair of black bear cubs.  Made me very, very nervous.  If there are cubs, you know there is a big ass Momma Bear around somewhere and I didn't want to hang around to see if she would show up.  I took a few pictures and we moved right along.  I just kept telling myself there was nothing to worry about because Jim's pack is heavier than mine, which means I can out run him should the Momma Bear come back unexpectedly.  I must admit, they are pretty cute and boy can they climb a tree.  I could hear their claws digging in as they literally ran up the tree.  They were just as curious about us as we were about them.  Even though it was a bit unsettling, I know this was one of those rare events and I just feel so very fortunate to have been here to experience it.

We stopped for second breakfast on the trail at a bridge just above Waptus Lake.  On the way down from Deep Lake I started developing hot spots on the balls of my feet between my big toe and index finger toe.  Not having any insole in my hiking shoes is proving to be a great thing for heel relief, but not so much for the balls of my feet when coming downhill.  I just can't seem to win in the feet department.  The only good thing about it is, it makes me notice my pack issues a lot less.  I've got to get these two huge issues worked out before next April!!  Jim suggested that once I have a new strategy for pack and feet, I should do a long two to three day PCT hike to test it out to make sure I've got it dialed in.  A really good idea.  

Running into a lot of people today.  Section hikers and a whole bunch of thru hikers.  I wrote down their names in my note pad so I would remember their names:

• Danielle and Darren (Hard core Canadians)
• Zippymoraco
• Raven
• Inside and Out (two people)
• Russell Sproul (WoundedWarriorWalk.com guy)
• GATOR
• and a few others I didn't write down

Now Gator I knew but had never met him in person.  I followed his blog last year as he Northbound from Mexico.  He was posting some great video of the trail.  Check it out.  Mike's gone-walk-about on blogger.  He hit the early snow at the end of September 2013 and had to call it quits.  Now he is back heading north from where he had left off at Snoqualmie Pass so he can finish off the trail and get closure.  I can't believe I didn't take a picture. He took one and posted it on his blog site I noticed.

We went up switch backs for ever it seemed.  Coming up out of Waptus is a long haul.  We stopped halfway up and had lunch.  Very Hot day today; especially when out in the exposed slopes.  Got a great view of Waptus Lake and over to Hinman.  We  have now walked around Hinman to its opposite side from where we first saw it at the top of Piper Pass.  Wow!  Looking down at Waptus, I can see the valley that comes down from Deep Lake where we started this morning.  What a day!!!!

We finally made it to the top at Waptus Burn Trail junction.  We are going to stay the night here because camping in the tarns ahead is restricted.  There is a very small, almost dry pond of water we can still get water from.  I'm not too crazy about it because its got these tiny shrimp like creatures swimming in it and a big frog too boot.  Will be a good test of the Sawyer Filter system I've been using.  Another beautiful evening.  We got chores done and hit the bags for the night.  It's so great to leave the rain fly off and lay on your back, in your bag all comfy and just gaze at the stars.  Life is good.  Tomorrow with be a long day with a huge down followed by an up to Specticle Lake where we will be taking a layover day, or a zero day as thru hikers call it.  Jim's brother and Sister in law, Andy and Claire, are going to meet us there for a visit.  Until then, Happy Trails....