Day 5: Glorious Open Spaces – Bull Elk Meadow to Continental Divide 15 miles

/ Kelly Hikes / 3 Comments

Between the squirrels scurrying around, the birds chirping and the elk bugling, it’s amazing I was able to sleep at all! I feel like I am sleeping in a zoo but one without cages or enclosures, just wide open spaces. It boggles my mind that I get to participate in this miracle of nature.

Another picture perfect sunrise overlooking Kenosha Pass. It’s hard to get the miles in when all you want to do is take pictures. As we made it to the ridge line, I looked down because them darn elks were making so much noise again! There was a herd of 40-50 elk grazing in the meadow about 1000′ below us. They were slowly making their way to higher ground. It was pretty remarkable to witness such a thing. My husband George would have done anything to sneak up on one. I just looked from afar and marveled at such loud and magnificent creatures they are.

Once we made it to the local campground, we found a hand water pump and yes, this is how we wash our stinky laundry. We placed our dirty grimy socks, underwear (I know, not the way I do laundry at home either) and assortment of bandanas and yes, my pee rag. Maybe too much information, but I let the cat out of the bag now. I use a pee rag instead of tons of toilet paper, which once used you need to pack out. My pee rag is one item in my backpack, that only has one use, to wipe after peeing. And I’m doing my part to help out the rest of you so you can get your supply of toilet paper! After our laundry was somewhat clean, we filled our water bottles and headed up another hill.

This was a day to remember for all the long reaching vistas with mountains encapsulating the valleys below. I think if I was a cow, this is where I would want to live! It’s so lush and green, and few people live here. But what there are a lot of, is mountain bikers.

I saw more fat tires on the CT, than I’ve ever seen at any bike shop. They typically ride in packs like wolves, so once you see them, you’re gonna see them again on the flip-flop. Here on the CT, we give bikes the right-of-way. They are faster, bigger and it’s much easier for me to move over than for them to maneuver off the trail. I like to mountain bike but I don’t know if I have the ability to ride the trails here. There are countless rocks, roots, fallen trees and logs that block your trail and it just seems like too much work. I’ll stick to what I do best and that’s hiking.

Triple Z and I had a wonderful day today. I think we are getting into a rhythm that suits us both. Honestly we haven’t hiked much together, but we both have hiked many miles on various trails. We have different styles of hiking. She likes to get up super early, eats while she hikes, and hike all day long. I would rather sleep in and wake up with the birds, have breakfast in my tent, hike a few miles and stop to snack, hike a few more miles and soak my feet and wander into camp around 5pm. We have made some sanctions and I’m getting up early, but Triple Z is experiencing a much more relaxed pace. She is indulging in the foot soaking exercise at noon and we are compromising on the miles we hike daily. It’s like a marriage on the trail. No one gets there way all the time, but we get to experience this life on the trail together. And that is truly a gift!

You my brothers and sisters were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh, rather serve each other humbly in love. Galatians 5:13

Day 3: Climb, Climb & Climb – Buffalo Creek to Brookside McCurdy 13 miles

/ Kelly Hikes / 2 Comments

After yesterday’s long hike, we decided to take it easy today on the mileage. However we made up for the miles by climbing 3300′ elevation. We topped out at 10564′ which about sucked the oxygen out of me!

Early morning start is beginning to be our MO. At 4am, even the birds aren’t chirping yet. The benefits to getting up at this absurd hour is we can knocked out the miles before we 1) get baked, or 2) escape certain weather storms that come and 3) get to camp early so we can clean up, do laundry and maybe rest just a bit. I’m not used to the 4am wake up quite yet but I understand the benefits.

Today was picture perfect. God did another wonderful sunrise painting for us with pinks and oranges and there is something about walking in the early morning when no one else is in the trail. That’s because they are sleeping!

The climb started as soon as we crossed the river that we slept at the night before and didn’t stop until past noon. I must admit that I have done some climbing in the past like training hill in Auburn, but that’s at 1500′ and climbs only 1000 feet. This was a slow but steady climb until we hit 9500′ and then, it was granny gear for me all the way up.

What was surprising was the topography. Colorado has a way of manicuring their forest. As I was taking in the sights of these tall majestic pine trees, I noticed there is no undergrowth. It’s as if a gardener came and rack it all, remove any twig or branch and perfected the ground. It was parklike. Where I live, we have tons of underbrush, which is a tinder box waiting for a spark to ignite it.

Then you turn the next corner and there’s a forest of old growth Aspens that reach the heavens. It’s magnificent and helps me take my thought off the fact that I can’t breathe because I’m reaching 10,000′!

We had a lovely Creek to capture icy cold water from surrounded by purple and pink flowers. I don’t know what they were, but they were perfectly placed near the rocks that that water cascaded over. It boggles my mind when humans deny that there is a wonderful creator who designed this beauty for us to behold. It’s without a doubt only by creation that such plants, flowers, waters and insects can flourish in perfect harmony.

Once we made our peak, which was through the trees with no dramatic view, we started back down. It was an easy grade down. After two more miles, we came to this unexpected meadow that was the foreground for another unnamed peak. It’s hard to photograph this area. Nothing really gives you the dimension of the vastness of it.

We continued on to our home, a plateau above a creek that gives way to this scrub brush that animals must visit. It has everything that could desire. I’ll wait up for sunset and see if I can capture some deer grazing.

Day 4: America the Beautiful – Brookside McCurdy to Bull Elk Meadows 19 miles hi

/ Kelly Hikes / 1 Comment

Oh what a stupendous day. Well, Triple-Z’s alarm went off at 4am, and I slept right through it. She had to get out of her tent to wake me up. My bad! I was dreaming of eating cake, many kinds of cake at a cake sale. And to think I’ve only been hiking for four days. Hiker hunger is already kicking in.

Have I spoke of the mornings? When we left camp this morning, we followed a high alpine meadow. There is a wide meandering River that flows through it, with scrub and sage scattered throughout. The meadow went on for five miles, quite exposed with some sprinkling of redwood cedars and pines. We hit the flower bloom at the perfect time. Columbines, Indian Paintbrush, Blue Bells, everywhere you looked God was showing off with His brilliance.

As we hiked through the meadow, ever so slowly, I caught a glimpse of a deer grazing, tons of cotton tails, chipmunks and squirrels and a tiny mouse ran across the trail in front of me. I saw tons of Elk droppings but no elk.

Once we headed out of the meadow, we were on top of this rim that overlooked a huge valley below. I believe it is Jefferson as that’s the only place on my map. It’s so vast and wide and all I could do was break out in the song “America the Beautiful”. Colorado is truly a magical place!

We had plenty of water today and no thunderstorms. It was by far the best temperate day to walk in yet. Never had to dawn my umbrella and sweated only a little bit. Well, if you smelled me, I’m sure you’d say that’s not true. I stink to high heaven and my clothes are worse. So you may ask, what is the hardest part of being a thru-hiker? It’s the filth. It doesn’t matter how many wipes I have, it’s never enough. And bathing in a creek is a luxury when you hike 19 miles a day. So tonight I’ll be dreaming of bubble baths and laundry mats!

The mountains, valleys and plains were breathtaking. Around every corner there was so much beauty, flowers, snow capped peaks in the distance and places to rehydrate. I met the nicest gals today, Angie and Sam, mid-30’s. They have been out for over a week and plan to go the distance. The problem is Sam has 11 blisters in her feet. Yep, that’s possible and she is still hiking. Her friend Angie, who has never backpacked a day in her life has two bum knees and a sprained ankle! I have been called many things but it appears my expanded trail name is Nurse GiGi. I have become the trail expert on KT tape. I wrapped Angie’s knee, just one because that’s all she told me was hurting. Then after five hours, she hiked to our camped and asked if I could wrap her other knee as she videotaped me so she could do it herself later. Hikers are a tough bunch! As I always say, anyone can do the miles but you have to have a strong mind to finish the trail. There is much pain, suffering and agony, but in the end, oh the sweetness of the sights you see are oh, so worth it.

We relaxed in our campsite only to hear the cries of Bull Elk across the meadow. They appear to be getting closer and I’m wondering if this could be rut season? There must be hundreds of them, bugling all night long! I’ll stay put in the safe confines of my single-walled nylon tent. How truly blessed and thankful I am to witness such a place as this.

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Day 2: Snakes and More Bears – S Platte River to Buffalo Creek 19 m

/ Kelly Hikes / 10 Comments

Uneventful night, except for the water snake that slithered past my feet as I was in the River bathing. I think he was definitely more afraid of me. Not that I have big feet because actually my feet are fairly small. But when I went to pick him up, he swam as fast as a snake can swim!

We woke up at 4am and were on trail at 5am. The sun had not rose yet but I did see the beautiful pinks and oranges high above on the desert rocks. Absolutely beautiful sight as God paints this amazing picture morning after morning. I just need to be awake to see it.

The early morning was due to the fact that Colorado is experiencing a heatwave. No rain in sight. No lightning or thunderstorms in the forecast, just glorious hot sunny days. Both Triple Z and myself have chrome domes. These are hiking umbrellas that provide shade overhead and when properly zip tied onto my backpack, they provide a good 10-15 degrees cooler temperatures to the hikers that use them. We were so grateful for these as literally everyone on the trail commented on them! If I had a trailer behind me loaded with extra Chrome Domes, I could’ve sold every single one.

The Burned area that was spoken of was quite a small region in comparison to the fire scarred areas I saw on the Pacific Crest Trail PCT. New growth was sprouting up, many redwood cedars, pines and a handful of aspen trees. But mostly low lying grasses, flowers, and butterflies. I’ve never seen so many butterflies, blue, yellow and purple ones all over the trail.

As I rounded the corner, I saw my second snake. In Colorado, they have only one dangerous snake, rattler. This was more like a gardener snake, no rattle and no cares that I was there. He just slithered past and went into a bush.

As we entered Section 2 of the CT, we had our second sighting of a bear. This was a small cuddly stuffed bear on the side of the trail but I couldn’t help yelling Bear! Triple Z had to take a photo as she slept through the first bear sighting.

Water hunting is a common theme around these parts. We originally had planned to stop at Morrison Creek for the night. The Creek was nothing but a tarry like substance that did not resemble anything H2O. We continued on another four plus miles and found home at Buffalo Creek. Lots of trees, pines mostly and heavy flowing creek to bathe in without snakes.

Today was a tough day. Being my second day out, climbing 2500′ , hiking in 95 degree temps, and hiking 19 miles, my dawgs were aching! As I hiked the last few extra credit miles, I could over think about the verse in James

Consider trials and tribulations pure joy my brothers and sisters, for perseverance develops character, so that you may lack nothing.

James 1:2-4

Day 1: On the Trail: Indian Creek to S. Platte River 10 miles

/ Kelly Hikes / 2 Comments

We woke up last night to find a baby bear at our site. Oh no! Mamma Bear was killed recently so this little guy is trying to fend for himself. He’s still scared of humans because once I yelled at him, he ran for the woods. Problem was he brought back reinforcements and rummaged again through our site. Silly me packed everything up minus my lunch sack for today. So now the bear is Growling French after eating my Brie Cheese and Summer Sausage. I feel terrible about forgetting my food outside my tent. Such a rookie mistake!

Our hike this morning started out cool and shady. We hooked into the Colorado Trail CT about three miles up canyon from Indian Creek. We added a few extra miles but lost the gravel road walk on the CT which is a fair trade.

We met our first Bikerpacker, Joe. He is going the distance on the trail riding a mountain bike from Waterton to Durango, same as us but in half the time, 15 days. It’s gonna take us 33 days in our perfect world.

We made the climb out of Bear Creek Canyon, appropriately name for the area. Once on the ridge line, we could see the Fourteeners’ in the distance. Colorado has over 40 such peaks! We will be hiking past quite a few and if we have a spare day, we just might bag a peak. No promises!

Our biggest issue today was twofold. Water reports are misleading and once out of the trees and onto the ridge lines, it was mighty hot! I follow Guthook maps which if updated, are quite reliable. It appears that no one has been putting real time reports in for over two weeks. Streams that were flowing or even trickling are non-existent. Well they are there, but only dry rock beds! We managed to scoop some water from standing pools but that ended 6-7 miles prior to our next reliable source. Luckily I filled up at the last water pool and only ran out of water as I approached the S. Platte River. Plenty of water here.

With the lack of water, we stopped briefly for lunch and headed to camp. We found a lovely spot protected by willows and a short jaunt to the river Platte. Tomorrow we plan to get up at 4am, not a typo, and get on the trail by sunrise. No water for 14.5 miles in a burned out section that has total exposure. This should be a treat. But the locals say “it’s beautiful.” I’ll let you know how stunning it is after I’ve marched through it.

Thank you Holy Spirit, for Your power and might on my behalf. Thank you that Your Spirit in me is “a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life”

John 4:14

T minus 1

/ Kelly Hikes / 2 Comments

Rise and shine. O’dark thirty comes much too early! At 3:30 am, even my dog put her paws over her eyes. Dogs have a way of making you feel guilty. She has been watching me pack, repack, and pack again for the past few days. She knows the routine. The backpack comes out. There’s gear all over the den and after a couple of days of deciding what I want compared to what I truly need, the items are reduced down to just a few.

One outfit for the trail, and only a few other items that I am willing to carry on my back for the next five weeks! It’s a process that happens every time I venture into the wilderness. Only a few make the cut and the majority go back into the box. The dog, Zoey, knows she’s not coming and she just gives me the look. Big brown eyes, tail between her legs and Momma leaving her again. It’s quite the guilt trip. I tell her that next time, she’ll be hiking the trails with me. But that doesn’t justify that I’ll be gone for 40 days which in dog years is close to a year! Now I feel guilty too!

Karen and I arrive at Sacramento Airport, with our backpacks in large trash bags to protect it from certain fatality of a conveyor belt. When I place it on the scale, the attendant ask, do you have any batteries? Well of course I do. A battery pack to charge my phone, a battery inside my headlamp and maybe other batteries that I couldn’t recall. Well then, you must remove them from your pack! Seriously? Yep, serious as a heart attack. Apparently as they man handle your precious pack, the batteries can get hot, spark and start a fire in the hull of the plane. So with that, I start digging through my pack, removing such fire starters, and frantically rewrap my backpack in such an unorthodox manner that all I can think is… will everything be scattered as it comes down the exit shoot at the final terminal? And to think, I haven’t even arrived in Denver yet. This is going to be a long day.

What a relief as I saw the big black trash bag getting loaded onto leg #2. American Airlines rocks the baggage department.

Made a phone call to the local sporting goods store in Denver. It seems that there is a lack of supply for fuel canisters this season. I talked with Jeff and he pulled two medium canisters being that the small ones were sold out. Hmm, guess this will be a year of limited supplies. Remember the toilet paper wars?

And the adventure continues. Picked up my pack from baggage to find my very important Aqua Mira busted and leaked. So one more stop for fuel and a Sawyer Mini. The shelves were picked clean and hunters must not need Aqua Mira. They must have tougher inners than me.

With all things COVID this year, Waterton has had an influx of hikers. The trailhead has been closed with an alternate start at Indian Creek Campground. It will be a little extra credit but will eventually intersect CT. I’m excited to see this portion of the trail as I’ve heard it is quite beautiful with a bit of climbing. Of course we get to start this trail with a climb to Lenny’s Bench.

Tonight we will camp at the campground, get our packs ready for the next few weeks of trekking and get acquainted with the altitude in Colorado. Breathe what you can, and breathe some more.

The one thing I remember from my visits to Colorado before is that they sell oxygen in a can?!? I haven’t tried it but imagine many have. I’ll let you know if I need to indulge.

Indian Creek CG is bare bones in the sense that there is no running water, only pit toilets and not much in the scenery department. But what Indian Creek does have is a super Camp Host Dan who gave us a gallon of water, a free campsite and a personal tour of the grounds which included a stop at the TH.

Now begins the waiting game. Wait for the sun to set, for my eyes to close and for the sun to rise to a new dawn. Yes tomorrow is D-Day! The day to find out if I still have what it takes to hike for days, for weeks and even a month? Look out CT, Geisha Girl and Triple Z, aka Karen Z are hitting the trail.

Back on the Trail 2020

/ Kelly Hikes / 3 Comments

I lift my eyes to the mountains and wonder where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2

Five years ago I ventured out and hiked the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. When I think back on it, at times it feels like yesterday, other times it seems like a lifetime ago.

This year was to be the year that I trekked with my husband George. We had plans to walk the Camino in Spain, a pilgrimage of sorts. But we all know how plans are only that. Until you take the first step on the trail, it is only a planned event. With all that happened in 2020, our desire to share a trail together, vanished. We stayed put in our humble abode and brought Spain to our backyard. We tilled the soil, planted a garden, sod, grape vines and most of all, sunflowers! It’s our Spain and we will plan another time to visit and walk the Camino.

But for me, I could not sit and wait for another year. After much thought and trusting in the Lord to open doors, I am heading back to the trail.

It’s a start and a dream to hike yearly. No, it’s actually a passion and a calling to be in Gods creation, slowing down, being with Him one on one, and experiencing all of this vast and amazing world He created for us.

After squeezing in a few treks in the past years, Wonderland Trail in Washington, sections of the PCT, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, I yearned for another long distant hike.

Colorado Trail hit the marks. First of all, with all things COVID this year, it is one of the trails that you can leave little disturbance in the local community. I have hiked close to 200 miles on the Colorado Trail a couple of years back but I truly wanted to do a full, uninterrupted foot path from Watertown to Durango. It’s 475 miles, less than a quarter of the PCT, yet is has the splendor and grandeur of trails much shorter.

I fly out mañana and hit the trail Friday, July 10th. I have a sidekick who will be hiking with me this go-around, Karen Z from the PCT. She hiked a couple of years after me and we have much in common. She is blonde, the same age as me (both celebrating 60 this year) and love the great outdoors!

Buckle up and get ready for the adventures of GiGi, aka Geisha Girl and our Heavenly Father. May He inspire you to be the best version of you, love like He loves and provide contentment right where you are!

My intention is to post daily, depending on service and all that! Look forward to seeing our glorious Father directing me in all things trail, growing my faith deeper and opening my heart to His amazing & incredible creation.

Tomorrow we fly, like eagles!

White Pass to Monument 78-Canadian Border

/ Kelly Hikes / 8 Comments

What an amazing and God inspired journey these past five months have been! Hiking in Washington is everything people say it is, beautiful but wet!  There’s a saying we have where I am from, ” if you don’t like the weather in Tahoe, wait five minutes”. In Washington, if you don’t like the weather, too bad! It is what it is. If it’s not raining, it’s sleeting. If it’s not sleeting, it’s snowing. I must admit that I had a day or two of partially clear skies and one day that it was outright hot, but the remainder of my hike in Washington was cold and wet.

 Rainer National Park was stunning. I remained in White Pass waiting for the weather to become more stable, but that wasn’t occurring. Even though the tempatures were low, the scenery made up for it. It was Labor Day weekend so many day hikers were on the trail until the climbing set in. There are many lakes tucked away in magnificent basins with birds waiting for a free meal. I was hiking with a larger group of people when I left White Pass including a gal from Australia named Hummingbird and a guy from Colorado who went by the name of Ladies Man. When we stopped for lunch, Ladies Man began feeding the gray jays. It was as if they knew what to do. They swooped down and plucked bread from his hand in mid air. It was quite entertaining to watch.

 We carried on and as the day was progressing, it was obvious that another storm was brewing. Before long, large snowflakes were falling and my plans for a 20 mile day changed quickly. There were five of us bidding for the same cluster of trees to pitch our tents. Prior to our site, we had to fetch water from a nearly frozen spring and scoop our water from a small seeping puddle. Oh the joys of thru-hiking! As the snow was virtually covering the trail, we all gathered water, then beat feet to camp. On the way, Ladies Man and I chatted about my faith and his view of the universe. He is scientifically minded and not convinced that there is one God who created the heavens and the earth. It broke my heart to hear an incredibly caring man confess that he does not have a belief in our Heavenly Father. I shared with him my faith, my love for Jesus Christ and my strong belief in everlasting life. I understand that not everyone is ready, right now to accept our personal savior but we never know when and where hearts will be changed. All we can do is plant seeds and trust in God to do the rest. Five of us pitched our tents in the trees that afternoon while another seven squeezed in. When the weather changes, you can always find room for a few more hikers. We woke up to a couple of inches of snow on the ground and frozen tent zippers! 
 The next few days were stormy and gray. Fortunately there was a nice cabin that can be used as an emergency shelter. On my way, trail Angels had set up a canvas tent with a propane heater, double burgers and hot dogs, chocolate cake and real brewed coffee! Honestly, it is all about the calories you can consume and it most definitely helps to keep you warmer. The shelter was warm and dry. There was a young man who stopped by and evidentially he helped to build the cabin twenty years ago. He told stories of the area, pointed out the meadow that housed a herd of elk and called the resident mouse by name. One thing I can say about Washington is that there is no shortage of mice. The logbook inside the cabin also warned of the mice so I securely hung my pack and food on a hook up against the wall. When I woke up the next morning, my last pieces of seeded bread had been devoured. That mouse is an acrobat. Somehow he climbed the wall, hung upside down from the hook and ate my bread! Nothing is safe in a house of mice! 

  As I proceeded through the northern parts of the trail, the mountains became more rugged and craggy. Heading into Snoqualamie, it had been rainy, foggy, misty and just plain cold! I have heard that there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing! I have the nicest waterproof jacket, alpine pants, fleece hat, neoprene gloves, plastic bags on my feet which are securely tucked inside my trail runners, and darn it, I’m still wet & cold! I planned to stop at the Summit Inn to dry out before my last big push for the Canadian border. As I was marching through the mud puddles and ruts, I attempted to sidestep a ravine that was obviously filled with muck. Silly me, slipped and fell sideways into the muddy hillside and arouse looking more like sasquatch than a thru-hiker! As I saundered into the Summit Inn, I was greeted by many of my trail friends who had taken showers, were all spruced up and I just wanted to hide my filthy self! They all laughed as I entered, knowing they looked the same as I and agreed, that the mud would wash off! After bathing, laundering, drying my gear, I was in much better spirits. One last push, and I would be at Monument 78.

  The best is always saved for the last. Washington is no different. When the clouds lift, and the mountains are revealed, it truly is the most stunning section of the entire PCT. I have never seen such beauty! Each corner reveals a different peak, another pass, an incredible view of Gods workmanship. With the weather changing drastically, the previous fire closures were lifted and the remainder of us thru-hikers were cleared to continue north. 

  North of Stevens Pass is revered as the most scenic section of all. I wish there were words to describe the magesty that I saw my last days on the trail. All I can say is that it brought me to tears daily. When I looked around, the colors were so intoxicating. The reds were every shade from burgandy to crimson, oranges that were colors of peaches and nectarines, vivid greens and yellows, with purple and lavender mountains. I feel that when you stand on this trail of trails, and experience the amazing and overwhelming beauty, then will you truely see God’s glory!

  Something about Washington is utterly peaceful. There were days on the trail during that last weeks that if I saw one person a day, they were celebrated! It seems like everything is without sound. The birds are quieter, the grouse don’t cluck as much, even the chickmunks gather their pine cones silently. I turned off my iPod for the final week and just took in everything in this vast and beautiful wonderland. All I heard were my footsteps underway or my hiking stick occasionally hitting a rock or the aspen tree leaves quaking or the wind blowing before the snowflakes fell on my tent walls. God has such a way to get my attention. He knew our time on the trail was coming to an end but wanted all that He created to be admired! And it was. No distractions, no idle conversations with others, just me and Jesus walking hand in hand. On my last days, I was told of another impending storm. At this point – bring it on. There’s nothing that can keep me from finishing these last hundred miles. 

  On my last morning, I woke up to a couple of inches of fresh snow. Once again, God blessed me with his wondrous art and beautiful landscape! I am so amazed by this trail, my journey and Gods unending love. As I hiked the final miles, the last five months rewinded in my mind. The desert lizards and snakes that were living amongst a plethora of desert flowers, climbing the countless passes in the Sierra’s only to find another pass that was higher and bigger, the never ending state of California with Mount Shasta forever in view, the Oregonian forests that were so lush and green yet obscured by smoke which seemed to follow me relentlessly, and the final culmination of ending in the Cascades and all its beauty! If I could sum this trail up in two words, I would have to say it is “God’s best!” Nothing was left to chance, no Big Bang occurred! God created this beautiful place for us to live, admire and explore  He wanted us to understand how deep his love is, how wide and long this road we travel together and how far he will go to keep us safe, even in the most desolate of places. 

 Yes, after five months and five days on September 15th at 5:00pm, Jesus and I made it to Monument 78, the northern terminus of the PCT. So the lessons learned while I have been on the trail have been many but the amazing transformation of my heart has been the greatest. God has showed me love from day one, with the people I have met and the generosity of their hearts. He has given me more joy than I have ever experienced in my lifetime from the small creatures that accompany me in my tent at night to the sunrise and sunsets he paints for me daily. The utmost peace that has blanketed me during these past month have profoundly changed me. The patience I have learned especially with myself is nothing short of a miracle! I am capable and strong and I am allowed to be slower than others. God has designed me perfectly, just the way He envisioned me to be. Kindness and goodness is everywhere. In the hikers that have blessed me, to the trail Angels that have fed me, to my many friends who have supported me, to my family who believed in me from the beginning. God has been ever so faithful to me. And I to him. We commune together daily, we walked many miles hand in hand and He we never left each other. I think of the many hiking partners I had during the past five months. Each and every one of them left the trail for one reason or another but Jesus stayed the course. When it got tough, he encouraged me to go a bit further. When my pack overburdened me, he lightened my load. When I was scared at night, he comforted me. I couldn’t have had a more faithful and true hiking partner. I learn gentleness from a lifetime of living. There were many times I was able to comfort others, share a word of encouragement or just offer a hug when needed. But self-control was a lesson learned over and over again. I was taught to trust in my abilities, to not over analyze the upcoming days and to live in the moment. Yesterday teaches us, tomorrow we can dream about, but today is really all that truly matters! 

  I pray that during my journey that I may have encouraged you to pursue your dreams, to never doubt yourself and to know, that no matter what comes your way, you always have Jesus Christ to lean on, to love and to trust. He made it with me every step of the way and I know that He is waiting to take a journey with you. May God protect you and keep you safe and may the fruit of the spirit be with you always! 

  But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 

Cascade Locks to White Pass

/ Kelly Hikes / 8 Comments

What a difference a state makes! After covering the State of Oregon without a drop of rain, God has opened the floodgates at said, “let there be water.” Washington has been in the midst of their worst fire season ever. They have summoned firefighters from all over the world, Australia and New Zealand both answered the call, and countless men and women have responded to their plead for help. Yet our God has provided the most help of all with his mighty rain, sleet and snow. Hallelujah, our God reigns!

  Leaving Oregon and walking into Washington across the “Bridge of the Gods” was glorious! I was filled with so much emotion. The sheer fact that I had covered two states, by foot no less, and that Washington marks my final obstacle to Canada. This has been an amazing journey and I honestly, don’t know if I am ready to complete it?  As I entered the forests of Washington, there was a chill in the air and it felt like fall was on its way. I met an interesting fellow my first day out. He was a section hiker and I could hear him before I could see him. He had, what appeared to be a staff, like what Moses carried. It was adorned with bells, feathers, leather, a prayer flag and just beautified with all things natural. We talked about our individual hikes and I complimented him on his trekking pole and amazing accomplishment. God puts things on my heart and when I follow his lead, I can see Gods light shine. The hiker was glowing and shared that he truly appreciated my spirit and cheerfulness! I have been deemed the most joyful person on the trail by both fellow hikers and random people I come in contact with. I believe that is God’s love glowing in me. Thank you Jesus for using me to show your light.

 The upcoming days were brisk. I was walking a bit faster and not stopping for as many breaks. Washington is much different in the fact that you have these beautiful ridge lines that expose much of the Cascades. I rounded a corner and saw Mount Adams 12000′ standing above the clouds, covered in snow. As the day progressed, Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens appeared. It was unusual to be able to see large peaks from both sides of a ridge, so impressive and powerful. I stopped that evening at a lovely lake, Bear Lake which was a Tahoe blue color. As I set up my tent, the sky turned from gray to black and I knew summer was coming to an close.

  I woke to a downpour, the first rain of the season. I was grateful as I hoped this would help contain the fires north of me. The rain continued all morning as I made my way to Road 23, my first fire closure detour. The trail was damp and puddles began to gather. The forest was quiet except for the rain hitting the foliage near me. Not a creature stirred. Even the chickmunks and squirrels stopped gathering pine cones and nuts. As I reached the road, I had two options. Road walk some 25 miles around the closure to the left or hitch into Trout Lake and bid for one of the three rooms at the Grocery Store. As I hit the road, a white panel van stopped. I starting talking to the four Columbians who were inside and asked for a ride into town. They were field pickers, gathering reeds from the local waterways. They offered me a ride to a much busier intersection where I could find another hitch into town. They drove me some 4-5 miles and then I was able to get a ride with a family who were going for a hike. They asked me if I’d like to hike with them? Why not, that’s pretty much what I do everyday. They drove me to this awesome waterfall, which I would have never seen if I stayed on the trail and invited me back to their campsite for lunch. What a blessing! Fresh tomatoes, avocado, fine salami, four kinds of hummus and home brewed beer. I tell you this hiking thing is full of surprises! After lunch, they gave me a ride to town and I was able to get the one and only room available at Trout Lake Grocery. Such a blessing, warm water, flush toilets, and laundry. All my hearts desire. 

 After a lovely stop at Trout Lake, trail angel George gave five of us a ride back to the trail. It was close to a two hour drive, following dirt roads that were clearly not used often. George had been taking hikers around the closure for the past week. Once we arrived, the rain was the topic of converstation. I hoofed it to my evening camp, which placed me near the Knifes Edge. If you are familiar at all with the PCT, this stretch of Washington is revered as the most scenic and precarious section. But that’s only if you have clear skies and guts of steel. As I was heading northbound, I ran into five hikers who attempted Knifes Edge but we’re only turned around due to winter-like conditions, snow on the trail and virtually a white-out. One hiker slipped and fell, injuring his leg and was limping his way down off the trail. The weather wasn’t looking much better for my approach in the morning, but time would tell. I woke up early to howling wind and mist. My tent was soaked from the night before and I prepared myself for the worst. As I climbed early, the clouds were low and it appeared I was in a cloud bank. The higher I went, the colder and windier it became. Once I hit the glacier, I commandeered a fellow hiker to pair up and attack the mountain together. And thankfully we did. For the next two hours, we scaled the ridgeline, never truly seeing the beauty of the vistas as it was completely covered in clouds. We hunched over to brace ourselves from the pounding wind and sideways rain. Although we did not have snow, we had cold tempatures but Gods complete safety and warmth. Our footing was stable and we had enough adrenaline to stay focused on the task at hand, get off this mountain top! Success, as we made it down, a large Woolley Mountain Goat graced us with his presence. It was Gods sign that we were strong and fully present to his power and divine majesty.   

 Now safely at White Pass, I think about lessons learned. Gods perfect grace! I have seen his perfected grace in so many places, from the sunny days that have brought us much needed rain, from a deserted roadway that brought me a safe and welcome ride, from a stoney path that brought me stable feet, from a mountain side that was vast and bleak, yet stood a strong symbol of his amazing grace. No matter where I walk, no matter where I go, God’s grace has blanketed me with his warmth, his protection and his infinite direction.  God’s grace is immeasurable, eternal, overflowing, perfect, and lavish, yet free! As we walk in his grace, we should never underestimate how purely astounding our God truly is. Undeserved and incomprehensible, yet available. God’s grace is unbelievably amazing! 

 Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; ’tis grace hath brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home. John Newton 

Ashland to Cascade Locks

/ Kelly Hikes / 4 Comments

Ashland is a really nice town. It seems to have kept its charm from days gone by. It has all the requirements of a thru hiker, cheap lodging or swankee digs like Callahans, great restaurants and pubs, plenty of shopping and all within a reasonable walking distance. I spent three days resupplying with gear, food and doing chores like laundry. Finally got the nerve to wash my down sleeping bag and jacket! They came out all fluffy and clean. 

  After hitching a ride back to the trail, we started our typical climb out of town. There is metamorphic rock with  volcanic activity visible from the past. Intermingled is beautiful plant life, ferns, grass like brush that you would find at the beach and the ever-not-so-popular silt! There is no point to try and keep clean or even dust free while hiking in Oregon! You are virtually a dust magnet. I feel like pig pen from the peanuts cartoon, just a cloud of dust following me! You can’t hike very close to anyone else or you are eating their dust so we stay a few hundred feet or more behind our partners. 

  I have made incredible friendships on the trail but especially with a German couple. We decided to hike together for the time being which makes we quite happy. They have taught me the finer sides of European vacation style hiking. This entails many long breaks, always includes eating, taking your feet out of certain bondage of trail shoes and relaxing anywhere you can find shelter from the brilliant sun. Somehow we still manage to get our mileage in but we just do it better. No wonder the Europeans live longer than us. They are masters of relaxation! 

  During our many stops, I began reading my Daily Bread. English is their second language so I translate as best I can the process of gleaning from the fields. We talk about God’s provisions and how, even on the trail, God provides. My friend shares how she felt when her grandma and father passed away, and doubted why God would allow her to hurt so bad. I shared how many worldly things are unknown but God has a plan. His perfect plan was that we were going to meet here, on this trail, thousands of miles away from home, and share who He truly is. We walked away and she started praying asking for a sign that God is real. He said, “look at the berries you are eating” and she laughed. But as we arrived at our next stop there was a sign, a beautiful wooden sign “Christ i Spring”. She was in tears and shared to me her question and then saw this sign, but doubted because the sign had been there for many years. But I told her God knew exactly where you were going to be when you would ask. I just love the way God works. She told me that she was going to have a relationship with Jesus while she was on the trail and see how that would transform when she went home to Germany. I was so blessed by knowing that she was open to Gods love.

  We hiked into Mazama Village and joined the many others who resupply then carry on to, what I think, is one of the greatest wonders of the world, Crater Lake.  Prior to the eruption some 7,700 years ago, Mt Mazama, as it was named was 12000′. Now the caldera is the deepest lake in North America at 1949′ and the seventh deepest lake in the world! I just think it is a beautiful depiction of Oregon in all its magesty. I happened to be there the night of the culmination of the annual meteor showers and watched as the night sky became lit up by millions, if not billions of stars. In the northeastern hemisphere, the show began. Meteors shooting across the sky. It was absolutely breathtaking! 
  I managed to leave Crater Lake before the fire consumed and closed the northern section of the PCT near the park entrance. This has to be one of the worst fire seasons ever. As I headed northbound, Mt Thielson was on the horizon. Another brilliant mountain. Oregon has so many great mountains including Mt Jefferson, Mt Washington, Three Fingered Jack, The Sisters but by far the greatest is Mt Hood. It is quite the approach, close to 3800′ in elevation gain, people who tell you the Oregon PCT is flat have never hiked the trail! As I broke through the deep dark forest, which is virtually impossible because Oregon is all forested, Mt Hood was glaring down on me. What an impressive volcano! It was a crystal clear day, an anominalie as the sky had been consumed by smoke and fire for the past weeks! The last mile climb to Timberline Lodge, just below Hood, resembles dunes. I’m not sure who brought the sand but I was wishing they would put it back on the beach. My trail runners were loaded with silt and I thought many times of taking my shoes off and digging my toes into the fine sandy soil. Oh but how God blessed me with an amazing sight and His finest sculpture. I would love to come back one day and climb that mountain!

 After an amazing evening camping outside of Timberline Lodge, I partook in the unending breakfast buffet with vegetable quiche, cheesy eggs, sausage and ham, homemade Greek yogart with four kinds of fresh berries topped off with a Belgium waffle and a mound of fresh whipped cream. Yes, I ate all of it in one sitting and then waddled off and hiked ten miles. Life of a hungry thru-hiker! It amazes me how many calories I can consume and still be hungry. My belly growls daily. How can that be?  

As I left Timberline, the smoke came back. A reminder that Oregon and Washington are still ablaze!  But even with the smokey skies, you can see the beauty of this trail. Fall colors are showing up, maple leaves are turning and the pines are dropping needles, carpeting the trail with soft duff. On my last trekking day in Oregon approached, I chose the ever-so-popular offshoot of the PCT known as Eagle Creek Falls trail. It winds down a canyon and drops into Cascade Locks. There are numerous waterfalls, deep swimming holes and hundreds of day hikers. I hadn’t seen so many people since I was in Ashland. It’s interesting how many hikers are interested in my journey, how long I had been on trail, where I was heading, what my experience was like, who am I hiking with, the questions I get asked over and over. I love talking to others about my trek. It inspires them and it reminds me of Gods graces that he has allowed me to come this far. 

 So what have I learned in Oregon? There is nothing too big or too small that God cannot conquer. Whether it was my fear or doubts, my abilities or ambitions, my loneliness or my social overload, God has it covered. He knows what I need at the perfect time. As I finished the last half of Oregon solo, I began to wonder if I was suppose to be out here? He brought me Kathleen and Dwayne from Walla Walla, on my birthday no less, to minister to me. Kathleen prayed over me, prayed for my protection and comfort and reinforced that I was indeed, where God wanted me to be. Another wonderful couple Bonnie and Dave also from Washington showed me God’s perfect love and enthusiasm for my hike and what an incredible accomplishment for me to have made it this far. As I walked through the forest I could see the light, the brilliant Columbia Gorge and the “Bridge of the Gods” that lay ahead of me. God provided a perfect path, one that would take me where He wanted me, the one that would open my eyes to His truth, that I have nothing to fear, I have tremendous ability and I will never to be lonely! I am eager to take my next step and to cross over the bridge and reach my final destination, which He has determined for me before I was born. What a thoughtful and amazing God we have! 

   

So do not throw away your confidence, for it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God,you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36