Day 123, For Me this is Heaven

Part 4, Oregon, Day 123

For Me this is Heaven

Miles: 31.3

Total Miles: 2144.4

It rained and stormed all night. I awoke throughout the night, getting very little needed sleep. The water outside was pooling up around my tent and the inside slowly became as wet as the outside. At 6am I waited a bit to see if the rain would stop, but it didn't and I put on all of my rain gear and stuffed my soaking muddy tent into my pack. I hiked out into the dreary morning at 7:30am.

It was both miserable and beautiful out.

The forest felt very mysterious and ominous, shrouded in the misty fog.

I was in a foul mood because I was cold and wet and missing the views. 

I vowed to finish Oregon today. I would do whatever it took to hike over 30 miles to the border at Cascade Locks.

I was utterly exhausted today. Being wet only perpetuated my fatigue. I began to feel sick again too. I felt dizzy and my head was hot. 

I was determined to get to town. I wouldn't spend tonight inside my soaked tent. Luckily, the sun began to peak through the clouds and the wind and rain stopped.

I reached the alternate trail through Eagle Creek. It was roughly the same mileage as the PCT and went to the same place, but this trail was rumored to be gorgeous. With the sun beginning to show, I decided to take the alternate.

The trail plunged down steeply thousands of feet. 

After awhile I was in a green and verdant canyon.

I started seeing many day hikers and weekend backpackers. The trail began to get steep and waterfalls started to appear.

The trail dropped straight down hundred of feet. There were cables installed to help those who are scared of heights.

I turned a corner and saw something f I've been waiting eagerly for; Tunnel Falls. 

The trail passes through the waterfall. I was so very impressed by this magnificent waterfall.

I was hoping one of the tourists would fall in. This trail really got the adrenaline pumping. 

Here's my approach through the falls:

I could have stayed here for hours, but I had many miles to go. There were many other waterfalls on the trail. 

I couldn't believe how many people were on the trail the closer I got to civilization. It had to be many hundreds. 

I already felt sick, and almost gagged at the strong cologne and perfume scents. I'm sure my smell did the same to others.  I felt so tired and sick by late afternoon, but I had to march on. The last stretch was a road walk.

I was so relieved to reach this sign:

I came to the Bridge of the Gods and the Columbia River. They were more beautiful than I could have imagined. 

I ate dinner at a diner with Guino and Sunkist, and went to the RV park near the river to set up my tent and dry it out.

I then went with a bunch of hikers to the brewery on the river where thru hikers get a free pint. 

Here's a picture of a picture of all of us relaxing there: this is myself, Guino, Sunkist, At Home, Wild Pony, C. Monster, Stummy, and Occupy.

Afterwards I walked in the fading light to an island on the Columbia River and looked at The Bridge of the Gods that marked the border between Oregon and Washington. I sat until well after dark reflecting on my hike through Oregon.

As I sat there exhausted and sore, it suddenly came upon me that I had just finished hiking through Oregon. I thought of all the highs and the lows I'd experienced in my swift charge through the beautiful state. I felt in that moment that I'd grown as a person and as a hiker.  I felt ready for my final challenge and the triumphs and hardships it would offer. I felt proud and I felt tired. I had arrived in Washington.