Trout Lake is reported to be one of the better towns for resupplying on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and I can see why. A group of local residents help hikers get to town and have what they need. During the high season, these volunteers run a shuttle three or four times per day from the trail head the 13+ miles to town. When there are fewer hikers, they have phone numbers posted to call to get a ride. Talk about feeling welcomed!

I planned to take the shuttle, but as I arrived at the trailhead, I saw two to fellows that I’d talked to twice before, the second time being just a couple hours earlier on the trail. They were “slackpacking” – carrying less that a full pack, shuttling with two cars, day hiking, and sleeping in their cars. I waved them down and they happily gave me a ride to town AND provided an ice-cold soda! Ahhh – trail magic!

When I hit town, my first stop was the café – I’d heard rumors of huckleberry milkshakes and had some investigation to do. This was during the heat wave – the temperature in town was over 100 – the milkshake was welcomed and good. So was the hamburger. At the café, I saw the German couple I’d camped near a few nights before and they recommended staying at the church – it was a bit quieter there. I wasn’t sure what that meant, but took note.

Next stop was the grocery store – about the size of a typical convenience store, but with a broader selection of items that through hikers might want: rehydratable foods, single ziplock baggies, etc. My first order of business was a shower, so I got two dollars in quarters, selected a clean towel from the back porch, and grabbed a hotel-sized soap and shampoo – all provided for free with a donation box nearby. I walked the three blocks to the county park and enjoyed my five minutes of hot soapy running water cascading over my body.

All clean, I headed back to the grocery store to collect my resupply box. With all my goods in hand, I ambled, slowly because of the heat, to the church and found a covered picnic area, large field, two porta potties, a handwash station, outlets, and a faucet – what more could a through hiker want? I picked a spot and pitched my tent. Other than heading a block to the famous (on the trail) taco truck, I spent the rest of the evening trying to move as little as possible. The taco truck’s reputation is well deserved!

The next day I took a “zero day.” Zero trail miles. My plan was to ride out the worst of the heat wave in town… it was hot, but at least I didn’t have to do much. I did do laundry at the grocery store. I had put a sheet of laundry detergent in my resupply box, but if needed, there weas also a big jug of detergent available. Again, provided for free, donations appreciated. My paracord became a clothesline and everything was dry before noon, well before noon! At least the heat was good for something!

In the afternoon, I thought I’d pack my food into my bear can, but the chocolate was molten – even in the shade! So, I continued to sit idly about, chatting with some other hikers, and taking care of a few things on the internet.

Because I’d eaten some meals in town and not eaten everything I had carried on the trail, I had left over food. Some, I gave to another hiker, the rest went into the hiker box at the store. Most resupply stops have a hiker box. I scored an adapter to plug my phone cord into the outlet and later some mashed potatoes.

I didn’t have cell service in town, but both the grocery store and church had wifi available, so I was able to connect with a friend who was planning to be hiking in the Goat Rocks the next week. We figured out that we could meet up so made plans to meet on Cispus Pass at noon on Wednesday. Sure, let’s meet in the middle of nowhere in a few days… no problem! This scheme did mean that I would have to leave the next afternoon and then pull two 15-mile day, but seeing a dear friend was worth it!

The next day was supposed to be the last of the really hot days, again over 100 degrees, ugh. I used the cooler hours of the morning to pack up, then sat around in the shade trying not to move. Another hiker had some meat sticks and offered me some – oh man were those good. I was starting to realize that I was craving salt from all the sweating. Normally, I have a wicked sweet tooth, but now the salty foods were looking good.

Suddenly, it was 3:00 and Doug was there to take us to the trailhead, me and three other hikers. I threw my pack in the back of his truck and jumped in the cab. We all signed the logbook as he drove, then, jumped out at the trailhead. Oh, boy, here we go again…

Photo

Home sweet home in the back of the Trout Lake church grounds – my tent and my solar panel.