The navigation app for this trail (called FarOut) ends the East portion here in Oroville so we are starting a new section now. For the thru hikers it’s roughly half way to the ocean (591 mile marker of 1200 miles) !
Well the night was quiet and cool. Absolutely nothing happened 😁 I took my time packing up and had a few extra coffees (my own but added some cocoa for a mocha!). Just as I was leaving a guy pulled up to do some painting outside. We chatted for a while … he used to live in Twisp and had a shuttle service for hikers! Now he lives at 5000ft in the highlands near Havillah.
The road walk was boring, starting with gravel then pavement. One short ride with a social worker from Wenatchee brought me closer to the trailhead.
Once I got there I was basically on two trails all day: Wildhorse Spring trail first, then Whistler Canyon trail. We have been seeing the sign for Whistler Canyon dozens of times when driving between Kelowna and Winthrop. Today I got to hike it!
The trail was mostly in good shape; it had only a few slightly overgrown areas. The canyon trail is rocky on top, then you go through a lot of downhill through light forest, and the last stretch is rocky again.
Saw turkeys and, for the first time since 2 weeks ago, beat scat. So I made sure to call out and saw nothing! 🐻
I took a few breaks and refilled my water at a nice spring. The lower I got the hotter it got! And we went ALL the way down to 950ft! This was the first day that my feet got really sore from the downhill and the big toe even had a small blister!
I attribute this to the fact that I was trying Injinji toe socks instead of my trusted Darn Tough. I thought that maybe on a dusty trail they would do well. But not again! Darn Tough it is (it’s not a bad blister, already drained and cleaned, and just between the toes). “Never touch a running system!”
Once o got to the trailhead I was spent and hot. Two cars were parked there even though I had seen nobody on trail. So I walked down to the highway to see if any of the residents were pulling out and driving into town.
From the trailhead it’s a 3 mile road walk on Highway 97 into town. I don’t think it’s safe to be honest; I’ve driven it many many times. So I called the motel that was recommended for hikers, for which all comments said the owners are very nice and hiker friendly.
Phil instantly left to pick me up and saved me the highway walk. The Camaray Motel right in Oroville is popular and Phil was hoping that their last room wasn’t gone by the time we got back!
But I was lucky … again … and got the room. Hiker rate, laundry included, and a hiker box that I’ve never seen before: a whole hiker shelf!
Besides foods, toiletries, medications and gear, there are many odd items that I have no idea how they got there. Somebody carried many face masks, necklace making tools and beads, grommet tools, detergent and much more. I don’t really need anything but did for fun use a “mud face mask” and will try some Trader Joe’s coffee.
Phil and his wife Celeste are incredibly welcoming and helpful! What a great spot to stop! After shower and laundry, I ate at Hometown Pozza across the street where a big plate of salad from the buffet, fries, lots of iced tea, a donut to go plus tax and tip amounted to $14.70!
Since then I’ve been resting, checking weather, organizing gear, catching up. The weather doesn’t look bad and the smoke is better. However this last section is longer and goes up to 7000ft again from here, then all the way into Winthrop. It’s the last food resupply.
My estimate is 65 miles to get up into the Pasayten and down to Andrew’s Creek from Horseshoe Basin. Ron, Keyla and I have great memories of that place from 7 years ago!
I also promised to elaborate on “working while hiking”! Since I teach online, my regular work is grading assignments my students submit (other extra projects include course development or creating teaching resources). There is no schedule, the students can submit any day. I can take vacation but for the university to find a substitute, for me to give them an introduction, then afterwards find out exactly what feedback they gave to the students and how they graded … it’s easier for me just to keep working.
So when I see an assignment submitted when I have connection, I grade it on my phone. I’ve done it on top of a mountain and of course when I know I’m going into town or have wifi at a campspot, I grade there. It’s not ideal but perfectly doable. A small price to pay to be able to do my job while hiking!
Signing off from the metropolis of Oroville! 20 miles hiked. Lots of downhill! Hot!
Oh and Lucy still hasn’t been found but one dog came back home (hers, not the son’s) and is acting scared and timid. Such a sad mystery!
I forgot about those intricately carved trailhead signs around the Okanogan valley…so cool. Glad you got to experience the welcoming vibe of the camaray motel!
Yes there will be another picture of a sign! The Backcountry Horsemen make them I think …
Truth! Besides writing a daily blog, hike 15-24 miles on an almost daily basis you ALSO find time to grade papers?? How many online students do you cater to? Subject matter? Remember Nancy Sinatra..” these boots were made for walkin'” and that’s just what I’m gonna do! Enjoy and Happy trails! 😊
Student numbers vary and I can never predict what gets submitted (subject: Marketing) but like I said: Small price to pay for being able to do this! Thanks!!
Biggi,
Thanks for the great memories of the Pasayten hike that you, Keyla ❤️, and I shared. Horseshoe Basin is a sublime spot!
That was an unforgettable experience and I know I’ll feel Keyla’s excitement when I get there! 💕 We will miss you!
You are in the home stretch now! Happy trails!
For sure! Funny how that works … one step at a time 😁
Really enjoying your accounts, Biggi. Thank you for sharing your unique approach to balancing work with your adventure.
Welcome! It’s all possible for a few weeks with just the phone 👍🏻
Greetings from Kimberley, where you started this odyssey just a few weeks ago.
A few observations:
Your radiant smile is even more radiant when your arms are wrapped around a dog!
Your photos enliven your stories.
It was grand to see the trails named Pipsissewa, or Prince’s pine, the small, dark-green evergreen-leafed plant with delicate pink flowers and tiny, pumpkin-like seed capsules. Just looked it up to learn more about this plant that is found along the trail, and in the mountains above your home.
Apparently Pipsissewa is a Cree word, meaning ‘it breaks into small pieces’ because the leaves contain a substance that was purported to dissolve kidney stones!
We wish you continued kindness from folk you meet and gentle conditions for your feet…and hope that Lucy will be found soon, and in good shape.
I should have asked you, my plant expert, right away for the details! Thanks for the research! And yes … a dog makes everything better. Lou was so gentle and soft 😍 I look forward to catching up in person again soon 🤗