Oh if all days could be like this 😉
Starting with coffee in camp with Loura and Theresa, I made the decision to accept their generous offer of a ride into Ashland (blame tired feet!). Every thru hiker seems to love Ashland, and it really looks like a beautiful small town. From our campsite, the trail to I-5 would climb back up to 7000ft and even driving the backroads we encountered challenges!!
We dropped down from higher elevations into the nice little town.
Serendipitously we pulled over in front of a bakery while still deciding on a plan for the day so when I was walking later I had my hands full!
I had to check both the weather forecast and the arrival of my food box at Callahan’s on the Interstate to come up with a plan. Turns out the next 2 days are nice, then a storm hits that even has snow in the forecast for Ashland (which is low) and could add significant challenges to the Crater Lake section. I decided to forego the food box (which only arrives in 2 days) and hike for two days to Fish Lake Resort where indoor lodging is available. There I will decide whether I continue north or head south from Dunsmuir (the train should be relatively easy to get to).
After saying goodbye to Loura and Theresa, I hiked north towards Hyatt Lake. The trail was gentle and the temperature pleasant, and some day hikers were out near the lake. I hiked through a meadow that had some of the nicest properties I have ever seen … not fancy mansions but beautiful homes with verandas and horses in the pastures.
At Hyatt Lake Resort I hung out with a cool drink and wifi 🙂 The staff let me fill my water bottles and I even quickly washed my hair in the restroom sink! And this is what you look like after eating dried strawberries straight up 🙂
Now I am at a closed campground on the other side of the lake. Facilities aren’t open yet but I’m self-sufficient so I figure I’m not harming anyone by camping here. Yeah for picnic tables and a nice view! It’s warm with a breeze.
What is different in Oregon compared to California you ask?
There are a lot more roads that cross the trail. Some paved, many dirt. There are also a lot more people out in the backcountry – day hiking, horseback riding, mushroom picking. The trail is way better marked with trail signs and blazes everywhere. Also there is a lot of plane traffic over southern Oregon; everything from single-engine tiny planes to jet fighters.