9/19/12

  The campsite was my favorite so far last night. The sunrise was incredible. We left by 7, again hiking separately. It was a perfect morning. It was nice and cool out.
   I got to the turn off for the "old PCT" around 9. There was a sign at the junction and someone had written in pencil "no log xing". It was enough to keep us from taking the shortcut that would have either saved us 5 miles or cost us 4 miles. A flood in 2003 washed out the bridge over the Suittale River. Hikers still went through this area, even though it was closed from 2003-2011. They had been using a  log that had fallen across the river A new bridge was finally completed in September 2011, but to get to the bridge, one must hike 5 more miles than the old route. So as unexcited as we were, we decided to walk the new route. It actually was very pleasant though, newly redone trail. It also goes through some of the largest trees I have seen on this trail.
    After climbing over 3000 feet to Suittale Pass, the trees opened up again and we were once again in sweet above treeline country. We made it down to Hemlock Camp and have a great campsite. We are only 12 miles out of Stehekin and hope to make the 12:15 bus into town tomorrow. We hiked 27 miles today! Wahoo.