Last Minute Choices become Lifetime Memories
Also on this hike
My original plan for the day 7/14, was to hike Black Butte Lower (11 miles I think) and then do Belknap Crater on Friday the 17th as my sixth peak of the challenge. Along with Mount Bachelor on the 16th.
At the last minute I made the choice to do Black Butte Upper (4.2 miles) followed by Belknap Crater (6.87 miles) on the same day. Leaving Mount Bachelor as my final peak on Thursday the 16th.
What a great and rewarding choice this was for me.
To start the drive up to Belknap Upper Trailhead was about a six-mile drive on a dirt road. Easy for any vehicle to drive but a lot of washboard driving which kept the drive slow. There were at least four vehicles at the trailhead before me when I arrived at about 0630.
The trail was very easy to follow and had great views of the surrounding areas. My total miles to the summit were about 2.1 miles and 1,590 feet in elevation gain. This trail was pretty busy for a Tuesday morning. Lots of couples, families, and dogs on trail.
After completing the hike to Black Butte, I headed over to Belknap Crater trailhead. Which is right at Mckenzie Pass and follows the Pacific Crest Trail. I arrived there right around 0930. This hike was another 6.87 miles and an additional 1,815 feet in elevation gain.
Much of the trail was not only on the PCT, it also followed the Lava fields I’ve seen so often in other hikers YouTube videos. On my way up I ran into a section hiker (named Chit Chat Junior) and his daughter. The two of them were section hiking from Ashland to Cascade Locks. His daughter (who’s trail name I forget) did the Oregon and Washinton Sections last year and California the year before. A very seasoned hiker!
On my descent, I ran into another Oregon Section hiker named Summer Rose. She was resting and waiting for her hiking partner. She mentioned she was going another 8 miles on the day and had 1.5 liters of water. So, I offered her some of my water. Just in case since it was getting warm in the lava fields.
Shortly after leaving her, I ran into her hiking partner coming up the trail. We chatted for a few minutes and as I was explaining where I normally provide trail magic in southern California, she mentioned that she had received trail magic there last year from a guy named Phil. Umm, I’m Phil. And yes, that was me. It was so cool to run into her (Trail name Blue Bird) and to know that she still remembered the trail magic and who provided it.
I can’t help but think, had I not changed my plans at the last minute, I would never have run into Blue Bird and her hiking partner on that day. What an awesome day. I also ran into Scissors while I was chatting with Summer Rose. He is on pace to complete the PCT prior to trail days in Cascade Locks. Averaging about 30 miles per day.
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