[pct-l] 78% hike Cascade Locks to White Pass - skip Trout Lake

[Jeffrey Olson]

I walked from the trail crossing most of the way to Trout Lake before 
being picked up.  Oddly enough, Warner Springs Monty was in the back of 
the pick-up.  And I'll attest to the scrumptiousness of burgers and beer 
at the little drive in down the street from the post-office.

Jeffrey Olson
Jeff, just Jeff...

On 11/30/2011 11:13 PM, Shian Sung wrote:
> Sad to hear about Stabler's Country Store. It was a welcome oasis to
> stop by and get dry and have biscuits and gravy as it was raining
> pretty heavily for the two days prior. The highlight was seeing one of
> Scott Williamson's drop boxes (he had sent out the boxes but cancelled
> his trip in 2010) there. We all took pictures with it because we are
> all huge trail nerds like that.
>
> Two things about Trout Lake:
>
> 1) It is probably one of the toughest hitches on the trail. It's a
> small road leading into town that doesn't see much traffic at night
> and on weekdays. There's definitely no cell service at the trailhead.
> Three of our group got to the trailhead at dusk and only one car went
> by the rest of the night. They ended up coming in the next morning.
>
> That being said, Bigfoot and I arrived at the trailhead in the early
> afternoon and promptly got a ride into Trout Lake, which leads me to:
>
> 2) Trout Lake was absolutely one of my favorite spots on the trail.
> The little store at the road junction had the most amazing homemade
> blackberry pies, ice cream, wifi, and was very accommodating to hikers
> (and they rent rooms in the back) - there's also a fantastic burger
> place right down the road. All the townspeople are super nice. Then
> there's the Trout Lake Abbey. Hands down one of the best places I
> stayed on the entire PCT, which is full of welcoming hostels and trail
> angels, Kozen who I believe runs this Buddhist/Druidic retreat will
> come pick you up from the store and take you to the retreat, do your
> laundry, house you and possibly feed you if you decide to stay there
> (it's not free). It is a beautiful, spiritual place and really put me
> in a great place for the rest of the trail. Kozen is the one who keeps
> the barrels of trail magic at the road crossing maintained for the
> last two years as well.
>
> http://www.tlabbey.com/index.htm
>
> The best part is I had no idea it existed until I got there. Like so
> many other things on the PCT, the discovery is such a huge part of the
> magic. Never will I forget cresting the ridge and seeing Crater Lake
> for the first time.
>
> -Barrel Roll
>