Journey Day 141 | PCT Day 141

Regrettably there was no time to stop for long in Jefferson Park.

9/4/85

Up before the sun. Sleeping bag wet again. Eat a little cold, hike out. Several bathroom breaks, ridge hiking with views of Mt. Jefferson. Tired, but push long down hill to Milk Creek, fed by snow melt off Mt. Jefferson and white with glacial till. Take a break, dry bag, update this journal.

Ford creek, push on up ridges. Cross supposedly dangerous Russell Creek, also milky. more hiking in trees leads to Jefferson Park.

Talk with day hiker but can’t stop here, as he suggests. Push on, amazingly beautiful colors in this flat park area at the foot of “Jeff.” Leave for tough climb up ridge to ridge around the mountain. Out of Jefferson Park, into the Mt. Hood Wilderness as weather turns again. Wind blows as cross snowfields, catch views of Mt. Hood.

Push hard along desolate trail, falling once. Hike hard to saddle as weather view gets darker. See lake from ridge. Hike on down. Find campground, but no water or shelters as advertised.

Truck camper couple aids me. Show me shelters, water. I take to shelter, get water as darkness nears. Two girls stop, take other shelter. Crash after meal in tent afraid of shelter’s “waterproofing.”