I cowboy camped at McKenzie Pass last night under clear skies. Around 3 I woke up. It was cloudy and smelled like rain. I hopped up and pitched the tent and an hour later it commenced raining. Catastrophe averted.
The rain was pretty much done by the time I finished my coffee, so it was time to start hiking.
The trail was more miles of lava walking, up to and around the side of Mt Washington. But lava walking in light rain is far preferable to lava walking in the blazing sun, so the rain really was a plus. Whether my shoes will last to the next pair is increasingly in doubt however.
An extensive burn area on the south side of Mt Washington gave way to a lush forest. I was hoping for strawberries or maybe huckleberries but the understory was mostly lupines and bunchgrasses. Although berry-less, it was still a very pleasant walk.
Got to the BLYC by noon. They have an entire building dedicated for the use of hikers: showers, laundry, Wi-Fi, a tray of fresh baked mini cinnamon rolls.
Meals are free to hikers although of course I kicked in a donation. Everyone on the staff was incredibly friendly and solicitous. It’s a 7th Day Adventist camp, so I suspect this hospitality is part of their ministry. Which makes it no less wonderful and generous. Their only requirements were that we sign ourselves in, and stay out of the areas where the kids were – very sensible and reasonable asks, as we are just a bunch of scruffy-looking vagrants.
I showered, did some laundry and collected my resupply box, ate lunch, then grabbed a camping spot. The USFS limits camp occupancy, so hikers can’t camp on the grounds. But there is an area known as The Cove about a quarter mile away that makes for a pretty good campsite. No complaints here.
