Day 132 - A Glorious Day's Hiking

Mile 2317.9 to Mile 2344.5 - 26.6 miles

We had everything today. A beautiful morning with some gorgeous trail that had us high up on ridges. Then in the afternoon we had low cloud that made everything eerie that eventually turned to rain.
The morning however was special with the trail heading up and over a number of passes - Chinook Pass, Sourdough Gap (the toughest), Bear Gap, Pickhandle Gap, Crown Point, Blue Bell Pass, Scout Pass, Bernard Saddle, Hayden Pass, Martinsen Gap, Louisiana Saddle, Rods Gap - you get the idea of what the route was like. The views were to die for although Rainier was unfortunately hidden behind heavy cloud from mid morning.
This is Chinnok Pass from Sourdough Gap

 And from Sourdough looking the other way, Tiptoe is checking her GPS

Looking back up at Scout Pass near where we saw more mountain goats

We also passed the Crystal Mountain skifields on the opposite ridge

The trail up here in Washington is beautifully maintained including this impressive foot bridge at Chinook Pass

The day ended however with me in full wet weather gear for the first time for rain since Warner Springs at mile 109!!! The target for the night was Urich Cabin (one of the few on trail) which seemed inviting. One step in the door changed my mind as it was stifingly hot so I slept on the verandah where it was dry & bearable - even if the mice were friendly.
On a sad though I got an email during the day with the news an old running buddy from Whanganui had died. Those who knew Duncan McKenzie never had a bad word to say about him. A personable & chirpy battler, he was loved by all. The Wanganui Harrier Club will have a hole in its ranks that will be difficult to fill without the wee man around. My condolences to the McKenzie clan.....Weta