[pct-l] OR and WA resupply recs

[CWillett at pierce.ctc.edu (Chris Willett)]

Hi All, 

In an effort to actually help people get ready for the upcoming 2006 season, I thought I would offer some suggestions about resupplying in Oregon and Washington, as I differ from many on the best way to do it.  First off, let me say that in 2003 I was up near the front of the pack, though this isn't super important due to the few hikers moving through so deep into the trail.  Second, I'm a pretty flexible eater.  If I can buy Liptons, ramen, mac and cheese, stuffing, etc for dinners, cheese, candy bars, other bars, etc for lunches, cookies or brownies for desert, and some sort of bar for breakfast, I'm happy and will proclaim a stop totally doable.  If I have to pack out a sack of whitebread and a jar of peanut butter, the place is on the low side of do-able.  What might be acceptable for me might not be for someone else.  If you have doubts or questions about what is in what place, please email me or the list.  Third, know that I am inherently lazy and don't want to spend a day off buying food, repackaging it, and mailing out.  Moreover, I don't like to hitch hike particularly far.  Lastly, Oregon is really a cruisy state, so longer mileage days are easy.  However, there are also lots of shallow lakes and swimming will soak up quite a bit of time.

I'm not going to recommend #days, as everyone's pace is going to be a little different and you can use something like http://www.pctplanner.com to get an idea.  

Ashland:  Resupply at the co-op if you want something "healthy" or at the Safeway for regular food.  Easy resupply.  Pick up a bounce box here if you're doing it.

Crater Lake: The store at Mazama camp was totally doable in 2003, but I got there as they were restocking the shelves.  Mazama is the low campground that you'd naturally go to off the PCT.  Prices were normal and I couldn't imagine wanting to send a resupply box here, especially as (unless you're on horse or with llamas or goats or just a moron) you'll be passing by another camp store up on the rim and can buy some food there.

Sisters:  Yes, that is right:  Haul the entire 155+ miles from Crater Lake to MacKenzie Pass.  This is a really easy stretch of hiking and, until you reach the Three Sisters Wilderness, one of the most boring on the PCT, with plenty of unpleasant bugs (maybe not true later in the season) to inspire you to move along.  When you get to the TSW, spend some more time.  MacKenzie Pass down to Sisters is a somewhat easy hitch as there is a touron attraction with a parking lot near the PCT.  The hitch back up to MacKenzie was a bit longer and took me about 1.25 hours to do.  Sisters has a big grocery store on the outskirts of town, a cheap in-town campground, and lots of tourist stuff.  Blazing hot, but would make for a nice overnight stop (but I didn't).

Cascade Locks:  Right again: Haul the 164 miles to Cascade Locks.  The hiking here is only slightly more difficult than before, and you'll pass by a few places where you can supplement your food bag: Olallie Lake resort and Timberline Lodge. The breakfast buffet ($11 in 05, I believe) is not to be missed. I mean, they have fresh squeezed orange juice.  How can a hiker pass that up?  Far better than the breakfast buffets in South Lake Tahoe.  In Cascade Locks there is a good sized grocery store with 11 flavors of Ben and Jerrys (in 03).  Or, in Stevenson there is a Safeway (I think).

White Pass: I'd road walk through Stevenson and resupply at the "store" at White Pass.  When I got there in 03 it was closed as it was like 6:15 pm.  I sat in the parking lot and felt sorry for myself as I couldn't get town treats until Snoqualmie Pass.  The tourists in the parking lot took up a food collection and within about 10 minutes I was eating little Caesars pizza and they had gotten me 5 days worth of somewhat ecclectic food.  If I was hiking this year, I'd plan to resupply from the store.

Snoqualmie Pass:  I don't know why people fret about sending packages here.  First, it is a short-ish haul to Stevens.  Second, there is a big gas station and a small grocery store to resupply out of.  Easy, simple, no problem.  Of, and the Travellers Rest as well, which was open this summer.  Buy food here.

Stevens Pass: I checked out the gas station in Skykomish this summer and found it to be just fine.  You only need 90ish miles of food anyways.  I'd buy here.  Another option is to hitch east on HWY 2 to Leavenworth (about 30 miles), which is a bigger town with lots of tourist ammenities. Next to Jackson, Banff, and Gatlinburg, Leavenworth is the worst place on earth and I try to avoid it.

Stehekin:  Don't be an idiot:  Buy in town.  Why?  Well, you've got a small store (small) for a few essentials.  And one of the great bakeries I've been to.  Not just pastries, but other tasty treats that can serve as lunches and dinners. With the hiker box (in the PO in 03), you're set.  Eat the great bakery stuff for the last few days to the border.



Suge


---------------------------
Christopher Willett
cwillett@pierce.ctc.edu
www.pierce.ctc.edu/faculty/cwillett
Pierce College
9401 Farwest Drive SW.
Lakewood, WA. 98498-1999