So THIS is the PCT Oregon Challenge?

While living on a trail for months at a time, you find little ways to make things interesting. Enter: challenges. Challenges can range from food/resupply challenges (i.e., the McDonalds challenge), mileage goals, 24-hour challenges, and more. On paper the PCT Oregon Challenge is pretty simple: hike roughly 35 miles per day for 14 days straight, crossing the entire state of Oregon (mile 1692 – mile 2148) in 2 weeks. I found the Oregon Challenge to have a few more elements…

*REVISED* PCT Oregon Challenge Guide

1. Decide that the Oregon section actually starts after a zero day in Ashland.
2. Test yourself with a 40 miles day and realize you are losing your sanity.
3. Figure out how to navigate around upcoming fire closures with zero cell service.
4. Kill 100s of mosquitos per day and try not to lose your mind.
5. Try not to cry every day due to exhaustion.
6. Eat as much as possible at the timberline lodge breakfast buffet. 
7. Take the Crater Lake alternate route and play tourist for the day.
8. Go blue blaze waterfall hunting to see Ramona Falls and Tunnel Falls.
9. Make a complicated plan and somehow get to Cascade Locks for PCT Trail Days.
10. Process that you are about to hit your last state and the last 500 miles of your PCT journey…

So did I complete the Oregon Challenge? Well, kinda? I did make it to Cascade Locks from Ashland on day… 15!

August 10 / PCT Day 102 / Oregon Day 1 

18.6 Miles: Ashland (Mile 1718.7) to Stealth Camp near Pond (Mile 1737.3)

We lingered in Ashland, savoring all the luxuries that town days provided before hitting the trail and picking up mileage. It was mentally hard to leave Ashland, and to officially say goodbye to California. My foot hit trail by the afternoon. Was this a head start on the Oregon Challenge? Or was I already late? All I knew is that I would certainly not be hiking the full 35 miles today. The sun began to set and shined golden rays onto the trail – normally a sign to find camp – but we hiked onward. 

August 11 / PCT Day 103 / Oregon Day 2 

36.3 Miles: Stealth Camp near Pond (Mile 1737.3) to Camp Near Highway 140 and Creek (Mile 1773.6)

I was still very much getting used to the flow of Oregon. The trail was flatter and often times under a canopy of mossy trees (read: a little boring, a little dark). I was relying on podcasts and music to crank out the miles. I was also secretly hoping that today was not representative of the views for the next 15 days (I’m sorry, Oregon!!). 

As I neared camp for the night, the trail turned to lava rock and opened up into a beautiful view. I felt emotional. I was exhausted from my first taste of a 35+ mile day, but I was so damn happy. I laid out my foam pad by the river and filled up my dirty water bag to filter water for the night. I hiked 36 miles today. My only reflection is that I don’t think people are really meant to hike 36 miles in one day. Can’t wait to do it again tomorrow!

August 12 / PCT Day 104 / Oregon Day 3 

32.2 Miles: Camp Near Highway 140 and Creek (Mile 1773.6) to Wooded Group Campsite (Mile 1805.8)

It was an emotional day. I was already exhausted and stressed by the pressure to hike 30-35 miles per day. I was sad that with every passing day, I was 30 miles closer to the end of the trail. I was already very aware that I did not want this hike to end. My mind raced as I hiked through the canopy of moss-covered trees. Luckily, I had over 12 hours of hiking per day to help process these thoughts. Hiking, walking, and moving my body had always helped me to sort through my thoughts and emotions, and 104 days into a thru-hike, this was still important and true. The canopy broke away after lunch revealing a beautiful mountain scape right at mile 1,800. I had tears in my eyes as I took a photo with the rock milestone marker. 

August 13 / PCT Day 105 / Oregon Day 4

33.4 Miles: Wooded Group Campsite (Mile 1805.8) to Group Campsite after Crater Lake Alternate (Mile 1839.2)

It was Crater Lake Alternate Day! I raced down the trail in the glow of my headlamp, headed toward the boundary of Crater Lake National Park. The Pacific Crest Trail does not technically hug the rim of Crater Lake, but it should – and because of that, most PCTers take the Crater Lake Rim Trail alternate. 

I hiked down to the Mamza Village Store to shower, pick up my resupply package, and most importantly, eat a burger. After the, all important, Triple ‘B’ (Beer, Burger, Bathroom), it was finaalllly time to see Crater Lake. I immediately spotted some other thru hikers (who turned out to be friends from the Desert, now hiking SOBO!) near the water fountain on the rim trail. As we caught up and looked around at the cars and tourists surrounding us, I felt like I was on vacation from the PCT! We may as well have been at Disneyland! I ate an ice cream cone while walking on the paved path and took in the views of Crater Lake.  

August 14 / PCT Day 106 / Oregon Day 5 

32.9 Miles: Group Campsite after Crater Lake Alternate (Mile 1839.2) to Camp Near Off Trail Spring (Mile 1872.1)

I woke up and cried, “I don’t know if I can do this.” I quickly edited myself, “I can do it, but I don’t know if I want to…”. Today marked the fourth day of the Oregon Challenge, and I was exhausted. Thirty-mile days were hard mentally and physically. It meant leaving camp in the dark and getting to camp in the dark. It meant every break was on the clock.

I got over my quick breakdown and began hiking. I soon hit a logbook and took a break to check in on where the other hikers in my bubble were. I saw “2beers” in the logbook, already one day ahead of me. She was also racing mileage to get a ride to PCT Trail Days from a friend in Bend. Next to her name in the logbook pages, she wrote “tired af”. I smiled and laughed. I felt less alone in my exhaustion, and ready to embrace the miles ahead. I was proud of her, and I knew we could all do this thing. 

After a long day, I reached camp and looked up at a smokey sunset. My mind raced about what this meant for the next few days and weeks as I hiked toward wildfires throughout Oregon and Washington. 

August 15 / PCT Day 107 / Oregon Day 6 

36 Miles: Camp Near Off Trail Spring (Mile 1872.1) to Camp Near Willamette Pass Junction (Mile 1908.1)

The smoke had officially rolled in. I stopped at a much-needed water, hand washing, and bug spray cache provided by trail angels (thank you!) before tackling a big climb. I got some service and heard from Spud that he was feeling the effects of the smoke and poor air quality surrounding us. I started the ascent and stopped at the top to take in the hazy view. From above, I saw the layers of smoke stuck in the valley – from this point of view, no wonder the smoke was getting to us! I enjoyed the views and clear visibility from the top before descending once again into the smokey canopy.

August 16 / PCT Day 108 / Oregon Day 7 

35.3 Miles: Camp Near Willamette Pass Junction (Mile 1908.1) to Camp Near Lake with Huckleberries (Mile 1943.4)

The morning was full of hazy, rainy, and smokey lake-side views. Not exactly the type of day that made me want to jump into one of the many Oregon lakes that I hiked past. I set a goal of where to hike to for lunch, and I hiked “heads down” with this break in mind. I entered a large burn zone at the hottest part of the day, and I saw my lunch break goal slip away in my mind. There was no way I was stopping in this burn zone. At this point, I had hiked hundreds of miles through burn zones, but this one was different. There was nothing. I later found out this area was scorched twice, a double burn zone.  

The HOT and eerie double burn zone.

I broke open a protein bar, not knowing when I would find some water and shade for lunch. I hiked toward a horizon of trees, and as I entered this wooded area, I was almost relieved to see the scorched, upright trees (I will take what I can get, okay). I saw a lake and B-lined toward the ashy shoreline for a much-needed break, water, and shade at probably my sketchiest lunch break spot yet.

August 17 / PCT Day 109 / Oregon Day 8 

31.4 Miles: Camp Near Lake with Huckleberries (Mile 1943.4) to Campsite in Three Sisters Lava Field (Mile 1974.8)

I packed up my backpack and grabbed a handful of huckleberries from the bush next to me as I made my way out of camp. It was a rainy and smokey day, but huckleberry bushes lined the trail and tomorrow would be a short day! Over the last few days, with every bit of cell service I found (and help from my mom via InReach!), I was figuring out the logistics of how to make it to Trail Days in Cascade Locks. The final plan was to 1) get a ride from a trail angel from McKenzie Pass to Bend 2) pick up a rental car in bend 3) drive three-ish hours North to Cascade Locks for PCT Trail Days, and 4) repeat steps 1-3 in reverse one day later. Sounded crazy, right? But here we were, plans were set, and tomorrow I would NOT hike 30 miles, I would be drinking a beer on the Columbia River surrounded by other thru hikers and 100+ gear companies. The trail weaved with views of the Three Sisters, and my mind wandered, excited for a road trip and little vacation from the PCT for the first time in 109 days.

August 18 / PCT Day 110 / Oregon Day 9 

9 Miles: Campsite in Three Sisters Lava Field (Mile 1974.8) to McKenzie Pass (Mile 1983.8) to TRAIL DAYS!

I woke up very aware that today would be my first day hiking less than 31 miles in a full week. The last seven days felt intense – with early morning wake up calls and minimal breaks, reaching camp exhausted after hiking over 30 miles back to back (to back to back…). 

I was eager to unzip my tent door and stick my head out, as we were nestled into a Three Sisters Lava Field. As the sun rose, and I hiked on the black lava rock, I felt like I was in the land before time. There was a slight smell of smoke in the air from the nearby wildfire as I hiked around a giant crater. “And maybe this is why I fell in love with hiking…” I thought to myself. “For the ability to transport into different landscape that makes you feel other worldly. It makes you think differently – see things different – adopt a new perspective.“

As a trail angel drove us from McKenzie Pass down to Bend, Oregon, I snapped back into the “real world”. It was time to road trip up to Cascade Locks for PCT Trail Days! I ate a giant sandwich and Captain Crunch as we drove north to the Oregon – Washington border, getting a preview of the trail that we needed to hike once we returned back to McKenzie Pass the following day. As we pulled into Cascade Locks, thru-hikers were everywhere. We walked into the gates, covered in seven days of sweat and dirt (cringing looking back at this), yet felt right at home among the tent city on Thunder Island and hundreds of outdoor gear company tents along the river.

August 19 / PCT Day 111 / Oregon Day 10

2.7 Miles: TRAIL DAYS! to McKenzie Pass (Mile 1983.8) to Campsite near Lava Field (Mile 1986.5)

Today was a slowww roll out of bed/tent after staying up wellll after hiker midnight catching up with so many hiker friends who had also found their way to Cascade Locks for Trail Days. Imagine your entire community showing up to a weekend event by all means necessary (think: hitching eight (!!) different times, renting cars, calling family/friends for rides, riding with trail angels). It was a quick trip, but it was a special weekend to be a part of. 

It was a long journey back to where we left off on the PCT. I felt like a zombie driving from Cascade Locks to Bend and catching a ride back to McKenzie Pass. But when I stepped back on trail, I was happy to be home. The sky was smokey from the fire nearby, and we were surrounded by a field of lava rock. Unfortunately walking through wildfire smoke has become a reality of hiking the PCT. There was an eerie feeling, and if a dinosaur had popped out at us, I would not have been surprised. I savored every little moment of this weird, short hike to camp before very happily falling asleep BEFORE hiker midnight.  

Lava Rock Field outside of Sisters/Bend near McKenzie Pass

August 20 / PCT Day 112 / Oregon Day 11 

26 Miles: Campsite near Lava Field (Mile 1986.5) to Stealth Camp in Burn Zone (Mile 2012.5)

Since it had been 11 days and 270 miles without laundry (yike), today was a “town day” since no town chores were accomplished at Trail Days the days before. I walked onto the Big Lake Youth Camp property to find signs welcoming PCT Hikers and leading us to our own PCT house! Sitting in the PCT house at Big Lake Youth Camp, I felt like a kid as “our camp director” showed us to laundry, showers, and the breakfast buffet. What a special little place. 

Shortly after hiking out of Big Lake Youth Camp, I crossed a very special milestone. 2,000 miles of PCT trail were now behind me. There’s nothing like realizing you’ve hiked 2,000 mile in 112 days to make you a little reflective… I thought about the last 2,000 miles – who I was on day one, who I was now, what I had learned, how I had changed. I jotted down a list in my trail journal as I hike away from the giant rock milestone marker.

1. every milestone deserves gratitude and celebration
2. confidence is a superpower that takes practice
3. the community and people are what make the PCT the PCT
4. rest is important
5. time is precious and timing is magical
6. food, water, sleep, and Advil solve 99% of problems on trail
7. asking for/accepting help is a sign of strength, not weakness
8. walking through snow is hard
9. vulnerability is powerful
10. the universe is there and ready to support dreamers
11. the human body is strong, powerful, and resilient
12. the human mind is strong, powerful, and resilient

August 21 / PCT Day 113 / Oregon Day 12 

34.2 Miles: Stealth Camp in Burn Zone (Mile 2012.5) to Road near Ollalie Lake Resort (Mile 2046.7)

I woke up very aware that I was camping in a small, safe bubble in a sea of burn scar, blow downs, and ash. As the sun was setting yesterday, we were able to find a cleared campsite that was not in the direct fall path of any dead trees that surrounded us (called widow makers). This morning’s miles would be slow due to the blow down parkour that would take place.

After making it through the widespread burn zone, the trail opened up into some striking views of Mount Jefferson. I welcomed the awe after a morning of ash and obstacles on trail. As I neared camp, I entered yet another burn zone. I was unsure how far this one stretched and thought about how I would ensure I had a safe campsite. I crossed a gravel road near the Ollie Lake Resort and looked around. It was nearing sunset, and I had no idea when this burn zone would end. I put down my backpack and set up my tent on the road, it wasn’t glamorous, but I was tired, and a safe place to camp was a safe place to camp. 

August 22 / PCT Day 114 / Oregon Day 13 

40.8 Miles: Road near Ollalie Lake Resort (Mile 2046.7) to Highway 26 Trailhead (Mile 2087.5)

I woke up excited and nervous. Today’s agenda? A 40! mile! day! Today’s route was flatter than most days (even for Oregon standards…), as the trail connected the land between Mount Jefferson and Mount Hood. 

My legs were on autopilot as I closed in on the last few miles before my planned campsite, 40 miles away from where I woke up this morning. The sun began to set, and the ridge line opened up to a view of Mount Hood. I stopped and stared for a bit – I would be right there tomorrow at the Timberline Lodge. I made the descent as it got dark, arriving at a campsite (with a bathroom! and trash can!) off of Highway 26. It was Oregon day 13. I just hiked 40 miles. There were only 60 miles left to hike until the bridge of the gods. Each day started to feel like a bigger and bigger milestone.  I hobbled into my tent and fell straight asleep.

August 23 / PCT Day 115 / Oregon Day 14 

24.9 Miles: Highway 26 Trailhead (Mile 2087.5) to Camp at Trail Junction (Mile 2112.4)

I woke up motivated by one thing, and one thing only – the Timberline Lodge Buffet. Timing had worked out perfectly to hike in for a 10:00 a.m. reservation to hit both breakfast AND lunch at the buffet. This was my game day, and I was not messing around. As I began the ascent up and around the base of Mount Hood, toward the Timberline Lodge on very tired legs, I was motivated by the striking views of the towering volcano just in front of me. I had seen Mount Hood from afar before, but being this close felt so special. 

Having to hike after an impressive brunch showing was cruel. There was another milestone on the agenda for today that encouraged the miles though! Today we would take a short blue blaze/alternate off of the PCT to view Ramona Falls. About five years ago, I hiked to Ramona Falls while visiting Portland. It was funny to think about how much I had experienced and grown as a hiker since that moment five years ago. I was feeling reflective, and seeing Ramona Falls, made me think how whack it was that I hiked 2,110 miles just to arrive at this waterfall once again.   

August 24 / PCT Day 116 / Oregon Day 15

35.8 Miles: Camp at Trail Junction (Mile 2112.4) to Cascade Locks (Mile 2148.2)

The last day, before the last state! Ah! I didn’t know whether to be happy or sad. I felt all of it. The weird part was that my last miles of the PCT through Oregon, wouldn’t be on the PCT at all. I was choosing to take another alternate, to see Tunnel Falls (highly recommend!). This trail would bring me right into the town of Cascade Locks which overlooked Washington State from across the Columbia River. I felt a little emotional when I turned off the PCT and onto the Eagle Creek Trail alternate. I began to see weekend backpackers, and I knew this was a sign that I was 1) close to town and 2) close to beautiful views and waterfalls! The trail started to get a little cliffy as I neared Tunnel Falls, and once I turned a corner, I was in awe of the towering waterfall. I nestled into the fern covered wall and ate lunch, savoring my last big Oregon milestone.  

As I hiked toward Cascade Locks and Washington, I became more and more excited to step onto the Bridge of the Gods and ceremonially cross into Washington State. I could not believe I was about to make it to Washington. I wouldn’t be hiking into Washington until two days later, after a much needed Zero day to rest, reflect, and resupply in Cascade Locks and Hood River, but when I stepped onto that bridge, I felt so thankful and accomplished and proud of myself.