Fire closes trail
Posted By Bob Welch on September 4, 2011
Headlamps on, just a hint of pink to the east lightening an otherwise black sky, Glenn and I had just gotten on the PCT trail at a trip-record 5:31 a.m. Sunday when it happened.
Glenn led us by a PCT sign just north of Timberline Lodge. I followed. For some reason, something beneath the wood sign caught my eye.
Trail Closure. The Dollar Lake Fire had forced the closure of the PCT about 6 miles from here. Rotten news. A “walk around” would be posted by Mt. Hood National Forest some time today.
Not good. If we choose to continue the trip, it will increase the time and length considerably as we’ll be forced to walk on alternative trails and roads. The only silver lining is the prospect of Timberline’s breakfast buffet.
But what we really want to do is finish the trip. We’d planned on two days to do the 43 miles to Cascade Locks. In 23 days we’ve hiked 409 miles and are 90% done. We just want that last 10%.
The Dain: Ain’t that just like life to throw you a big messy curveball in the bottom of the ninth? Paul