Day 8

I’m writing this fully fed! What a difference! I had fries at the bar (and tons of iced tea) as well as salty and chocolate snacks from the store.

I made it to Metaline Falls! It’s a tiny village with super friendly people who welcome all hikers and are curious to hear stories.

After a quiet night at Upper Priest Lake (well there were still some jet skis on the lake by 8:30pm and the neighbouring tent party invited us over which we declined) I started off before Jared to walk the rest of Upper Priest Lake Trail.

I passed another camping party with 2x the kitchen sink boated in, and we had a great long chat. I declined the whiskey but accepted some bread. One of the women heard about Keyla, said she is a vet and gave me a hug 🤗 ah those little moments with strangers!

The next 4.5 miles were the nicest piece of trail so far. Flat, soft, no rocks or logs, shady and mossy. And yes still muggy! I learned through Dina’s research that this is the only inland temperate rainforest (stretching from BC to ID) and the Idaho section is considered wet! Here is some information ….

That explains a lot! It’s known for big old-growth cedars and lots of rain (none for us!).

Somewhere we crossed into Washington and it’s nice to be “home” 😍

After a lot more miles of road walking I waited for Jared. Had a great chat with a guy and his about 80 year old friend who he was taking on a drive around the FS roads. The old timer knew Kimberley and had skied there. He’s also done multi day ski traverses with his son. Inspiring! Sadly they were going in the wrong direction …

Jared arrived and checked the weather which had a 70% chance of rain so I decided on the FS road option rather than the high ridge (Jared went up).

I walked another 3 miles or so until a nice family from Sandpoint offered a ride … maybe I looked tired! While they were not planning on going to Metaline Falls, they were up for a change of plans and a new adventure. We had too much fun chatting!

The road got narrow and went over a pass and I was glad I didn’t have to walk this … pretty warm (yes and muggy) by then and just too many miles. The forest seemed to change on the WA side …

We arrived in the tiny town of Metaline Falls and they found some ice cream for their son while I walked up the road.

You literally can’t walk here without somebody talking to you! Random tourists with ice cream wanted to know what I’m doing, when I got closer to the hotel (all the same block) a guy called out of the window that they were hiking too and taking a zero, and the guy with dog on the street said he was the hotel owner and led me inside (there is a trail angel in town offering free camping and charging but you’d have to walk 2 miles for public showers and laundry).

Arlie showed me the hotel, his mother’s paintings all over, and the rooms. It’s funky with shared bathrooms, no AC but a cool vibe (and lots of fans). I chatted with the couple from New Zealand taking a zero (day with zero miles hiked), dropped my dirty clothes in the basket which Arlie promptly washed, and took a much needed shower!

After that it was gear organizing, eating, going for fries at the bar, getting ice cream and candy and some resupply at the store, and finally putting the legs up.

Town time is always busy because there are so many chores to do! Going up the stairs I definitely feel my legs … hopefully it’s better tomorrow!

I saw Mo from Day 1 on the PNT at the bar with another EABO hiker (= going east), also with fries and pizza in front of them.

I am thinking of leaving tomorrow and making it to Northport but as always, from the valley low points and towns it a big climb over the next ridge and mountain! The smoke is better here in WA, the forests not as wet anymore and no real heatwave in sight (as opposed to Winthrop and Stehekin which are HOT 🥵).

Signing off from a real bed! First one since the lovely stay at Lory and Rob’s!

About 11.5 miles hiked … lots of calories consumed!