Julia, Maeby, and Joanna did a 49-mile backpacking loop Aug 28-31 with 6k ft elevation gain. We started at the Pete Lake TH and walked to Pete Lake. After a water crossing where Joanna got soaked and had to hike in crocs the rest of the day, we climbed up to Spectacle Lake just off the PCT. We swam in the lake and soaked up the sun. At night we had an exciting lightning and wind storm. (~11 miles for the day). In the morning we hiked back nobo on the PCT, downhill and then a long uphill to the Escondido Tarns. This was a beautiful ridge area with glacier views and interesting terrain (but no water!). Then we made a long slog downhill to Waptus Lake, broken up with a deer encounter and many chipmunk encounters. (~20 miles for the day). We were so tired and hungry that we prioritized dinner over setting up camp. As we were finishing dinner, it started to pour and we scrambled to set up the tent and hang the bear bag quickly. Everything was a bit wet and very dirty but not too uncomfortable. In the morning we left our gear and walked to the south end of the lake for some photos. We got a few rays of sun in between minor showers. We debated a steep day hike up to Deep Lake and instead decided to walk along Waptus River trail to a nice camp on a bluff. We had lots of time to dry everything out, read, and hang out. We only saw 2 parties all day. (~10 miles for the day). On Thursday we headed back to the car. It was a nice hike along the river to Salmon La Sac where we ran into 1 day hiking party and then didn't see a soul the rest of the day along the Cooper River back to our car (~8 miles for the day). We celebrated the trip with lunch at Basecamp in Roslyn and an ice cream. But Julia and Maeby did great the whole time. What a special trip!
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