I started out today way more confident than I feel at the end of it, that’s for sure! Don’t get me wrong, I am STOKED that I did completed this hike, but I am very sore.  For my first of the six hikes, I anticipated it being a bit easier than it was, but in difficulty, the scenery for sure made up for that. It was so beautiful today even with the storms rolling through and visible in the distance.  The Cascade Range wasn’t completely visible as it was blanketed in clouds and storm the entire day, but I spent most of the hike in the sun.  I did get a few snow flurries on the Grey Butte Trail once I hit that.

The trail heads all coming together in the valley out there, the Spring wild grasses full and camping availability, was a surprise to find but very cool.  I would love to hike and camp there for a night in the summer.   The switchbacks on Burma Road for mile and a half to 3 miles were tough, as were the switchbacks and steep trail the last mile and a half to the top of Grey Butte.  Mind you, this woman has kind of spent her winter in hibernation and didn’t get out a lot, so for some it would probably be very easy but not this hibernating bear.

Regardless of my pain, I am super thrilled with this hike and distance, which is only the second longest distance I have completed in one day in that amount of time.  I’m looking forward to the next five!