Day 10 - Leaving Mt. Rainier, Hello Crater Lake

Date 6/29

Weather: Sunny

Expense
$16 Food
$1 Laundry
$1 Shower
$31 gas
$36 campground
$105 today
$536 for the trip

Mileage: 426 today, 2,442 for the trip

Beer: 0 today, 11 for the trip

Pictures: homepage.mac.com/cenya/PhotoAlbum48.html

I got up at 5:30. I was ready to roll. It was all about finishing Mt. Rainier by hiking Van Trump Trail. It is a trail that climbs about 2,200 ft in elevation. I misjudged and disrespected the change in elevation. I also forgot my camera, which I regret very painfully many times.

Van Trump Trail was all about up hill. It was strenuous to say the least. There were numerous opportunities to take pictures of Comet Falls. I was so pi$$ed at myself. Ahhhhhhhhh! The trail kept on climbing. My heels were burning. It was one of those hikes I will remember I could tell. There were one log bridge to cross (another missed photo), and three logs laid over a stream (another missed photo).

At the end of the trail, I came to a cleared area that showed Mt. Rainier’s peak, Columbia Crest. It was such a Sound of Music moment. It was a great hike. I will remember this sight forever. Of course, a photo would be so much better.

I decided that I did not take enough punishment yet. I walked Mildred Point, which veered from Van Trump for another mile. I climbed more. I think it was about 800 feet. The trail got narrower and plants were more intrusive. My pants and shoes were getting wet, wetter, and wettest. When I thought it could not get any wetter, it got wetter. I got more determined and kept moving. At the end, I was paid with even better view of Columbia Crest. Wow, what a sight! It took me a little less than four hours. It is supposed to take six to seven hours, but I hiked nonstop. I think I will feel this very soon.

I drove off the mountain and headed to Crater Lake. I thought about staying at Eugene or Salem or Bend, but decided against it. “I like to visit Rogue in Ashland,” I thought to myself.

I kept on driving and did not stop until I reached Oakridge, Oregon to fuel up and buy some groceries. I next stopped at Crater Lake, my destination. I had small difficulties locating the campsite I wanted, which was Lost Creek. It was closed. I stopped to ask a ranger, but the visitor center was closed. Shoot.

I managed to find the only other campground. It worked out as the campground had public showers, and a Laundromat. I was pretty happy with that. In fact, I took the best $0.75 shower ever!!!! It felt so good. I also did a load of laundry for a dollar. YES!

The biggest obstacle I can foresee right away was, mosquitoes. I felt their presence almost immediately. I kept my car doors closed after I brushed my teeth for slumber. Tomorrow should be another great exploring day.

Note to self: I saw another Les Schwab tire center. Oregon also has Les Schwab. How interesting! There are Dutch Boy coffee shops. I thought Dutch Boy made paint! Hmmm.