[pct-l] Mt Hood to Eagle Creek Hike (with pics)

[Deems]

Over the July 4th holiday I hiked with two old hometown brothers the PCT 
from Timberline lodge on Mt Hood to the Columbia River via Eagle Creek. I 
hiked Eagle creek in early June with Monte Dodge, and the waterfalls had 
definitely decreased in volume. We started out on Mt Hood on snow, with the 
PCT trail melted out enough to be able to follow the route easily. We camped 
our first night at Ramona falls, and were treated to perfect waterfall 
lighting with the setting sun. The next day we took the 600 trail/Timberline 
trail through the Muddy Creek drainage which added some extra distance, but 
the scenery and seeing the incredible devastation in the Muddy Creek 
drainage from a recent huge flood event was worth it. On the trail after 
Lolo Pass, we met David Hough (PCT2001 in Pieces) who was hiking from Ramona 
to Mt Adams this time. We camped that night at Salvation springs, which I 
have renamed Bug Camp. The amount of flies and skeeters was incredible, and 
our headnets and shelters saved our sanity. There was very little water 
there, but enuf to get by. Discover springs was flowing nicely 3.5miles 
later on near Buck Peak.  The next day we hiked along the ridges and crest 
for miles through endless forests to Indian Peak where we were treated to 
endless vistas into Washington of Mt St Helens, Mt Rainier and Mt Adams. We 
spent our last nite on the trail at Wahtum lake, where I had done my first 
hike in Oregon in 1977 via Eagle Creek, 29 years to the day. Camping at 
Wahtum Lake awakened a few moldy brain cells, and hiking down the trail from 
there into Eagle Creek seemed like walking back in time for me. Eagle creek 
this time was full of the 21st century cybercrowds that have found it fun 
for a day, but for me it will last a lifetime. I've loaded up a few pics 
from the Mt Hood to the River hike on my pbase site if you'd like to see our 
hike, enjoy!
http://www.pbase.com/losthiker/mount_hood