[pct-l] Oregon Conditions

[Piroska Balogh]

Hi all,

I just finished a northbound section hike of Oregon and here's what I  
saw. Most of the trail has or is in the process of being logged out.

The skeeters were really bad especially in southern Oregon but are  
probably dying down. I used Sawyer's Permethrin spray to treat my  
pants and tank top and man does that stuff work! It survives through  
multiple washings and not a single mosquito bit me through my clothes  
even my super thin tanktop! I used Ultrathon 33% DEET for my skin and  
that worked well though I had to apply it multiple times a day when  
the bugs were bad and I was still pretty thoroughly bitten mostly  
because I didn't put the DEET on unless the bugs were fairly hungry.  
For sleeping, I used the Equinox bug bivy I bought from Backpacking  
Light that works really well with or without a tarp, sets up easily  
and is quite stable, isn't claustrophobic, packs up compact and  
weighs around 4-5 ounces. It sets up on hiking poles and stakes with  
4 stakes though I didn't stake it when I used it under my tarp.

The Sandy River on Mt. Hood changed course big time since last year  
but the route is flagged and easy to follow. The Muddy Fork detour is  
in place on Mt. Hood. Go to Ramona Falls and follow the Ramona Falls  
trail paralleling the creek heading downstream until you see the  
detour signs. There is a log bridge over the Muddy Fork and a trail  
that connects in to the Bald Mountain part of the PCT. Once you're on  
the Ramona Falls trail past the falls, the detour is easy to find.  
There are dire handwritten warnings on the detour signs from other  
hikers warning not to take the old Timberline Trail #600 which has  
been severely damaged.

The Milk Creek washout in the Jefferson Wilderness isn't a big deal-  
it took me way less than 10 minutes to get down the 20-30 foot high,  
steep, rubble bank and I heard later that there is an easier spot  
than what I went down a bit up or down stream- sorry I can't remember  
which.

There is a trail angel (Okie Girl) at Lava Lake Campground on the  
Sisters side of the McKenzie Highway who is there to help out thru- 
hikers with rides to Sisters and back. Look for the sign at the PCT  
trail junction near the south side of the highway for directions to  
her camp.

Elk Lake Resort is under new management and is open from 7 AM - 7 PM.  
The food is great as are the people at the resort. They offer free  
showers to hikers and even provide soap, shampoo, and a big, clean  
fluffy towel!!! Everyone else pays $5 for it.

Don't miss the bruschetta at the Timberline pub restaurant that's on  
the mezzanine in the old lodge- fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and a  
basil sauce on toasted baguette with a side of grapes and carrots-  
absolute heaven!

That's about it. I'm heading for the Washington section tomorrow and  
will post an update when I get back around the 27th.

Happy trails!
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