Day Six: Day Hike to Three Fools Peak
I've been hiking up the state of Washington PCT for four years, but I've rarely had a rest day on these section hikes. In 2003 we had a rest day to wait out a rainstorm. In 2004 we swam by a lake for our rest day. In 2005 we had 100 miles to travel and no time for a rest day. That trip last year was too much--we NEEDED a rest day, so we built the option into this trip.
Bob and I knew that Hopkins Lake would be a great place to take a rest, since we'd done it in 1995. And we knew that a day hike to the top of Three Fools Peak would be a great trip--since we'd done that in 1995, too.
Fortunately, the cold weather was finished and summer had returned to the North Cascades. We loaded up the pockets of our jackets with food and water and headed back along Lakeside Ridge to Three Fools. Without our backpacks, we seemed to be flying along the trail. Still, the mountain looked too far away and formidable when we started out.
Hopkins Lake was at 6,171 and the top of Three Fools was 7,842, so we had some serious elevation gains without the benefit of a groomed trail. Bob and I consulted the trail maps and decided to hike the PCT until we crossed a ridge near the Mountain Home Camp. Then it was up a creek bed with Bob leading the way. I brought up the rear and had to rest after about every 10 steps, it was that steep and the altitude was beginning to make its effect.
I wasn't sure we were making much progress when we finally hit the ridgeline. We had a long way to go, and it looked like a huge crevasse was going to block the way. "I'm not sure we're going to make it today," Chuck muttered, but we hiked on. The edge of the peak was still dusted with yesterday's snow, but the temperature was comfortable and the views marvelous (despite the haze from the forest fire smoke).
We scrambled over rock fields and slid--at times--on scree, but we still carried on. Sooner than I thought possible, we made it to the top. The sense of accomplishment was thrilling--this is what climbers must feel when they finally reach a summit. Although this was not a technical climb, we felt great, especially since three of us were in our mid-50s and still able to do some strenuous work.
After eating our lunch we took lots of serious and silly pictures. I used my timer to take the four of us at the top, and we posed as if we were climbing over a dangerous edge. Kevin and I traded summit shots--I think his is one of the best photos of the trip (mine isn't).
I was sad on the way back to the campsite. The next day would be the end of the trail and the end of my 500-section hike of my home state. How would I feel as I saw the famous boundary marked after reading about it in all the PCT trail journals over the years?
