[pct-l] Eagle Creek is conquered again!!

[Montedodge@aol.com (Montedodge@aol.com)]

     Once again , we have defeated the deadly Eagle Creek Trail! ( Even it's 
steep cliffs and non-stop rains could not turn us back from seeing the glory 
of  " Tunnel Falls" and beyond. 
     Finally dumped out the old spider nests out of the camping gear after 6 
months of no use. (Saw a group of 20 Mazama members out today as well who 
looked like it may have been their first day the the trail in a while as 
well)   Actually it did rain hard all day yesterday and finally arrived at 
our 7 and a half mile camp around 3:30pm. Quicky set up our big tarp with the 
use of 4 treking poles and a big log. 15 minutes after we set up the tarp, we 
fired up the old " Swedish Handgrenade"  ( a 1950's Svea 123) and drank down 
as much coffee and our bladders would allow without having to step out in the 
torrid rains again! Eagle Creek is aways awsome in the rain!!! The look of a 
novice hiker seeing this trail for the first time  is always rewarding. We 
packed " lots of cotton" clothing for this trip which all got totally wet as 
nothing was sealed in plastic. ( We looked like a " poster Gang" for a 
hypothermia commercial)  Luckily I brought alot of extra fleece to loan out. 
This morning ,we woke to only the sound of the creek and NO RAIN!!! YE HA. 
Had a very nice downhill hike today and took many photos. Lastly, we pigged 
out at Cascade Locks which is alway a great reward after any hike.  Eagle 
Creek is always my favorite spring spot on the PCT to hike. It's easy, great 
views, and snow free, though day hikers number many!! Monte