WA PCT Trail CG2070 Rd to Panther Creek Campground

I confess I do not know the name of these falls but they are on CG2000 Rd. It seems to be a popular area for folks to access by car.

On Aug 14th Bob and I went back to hike from Rock Creek Rd to Panther Creek Campground. We were able to skip the first mile and a half of the PCT by parking on CG2070 which crosses the PCT. 

A side note we both bought new shoes to hike in. Bob bought Merrell hiking boots and I went back to the Lone Peak trail shoe. The newer models do not have the velcro to attach the Dirty Girl Gaiters to. I don't know why Altra discontinued that on the new model of the Lone Peak. 
This time I brought along a walking stick that I have had since the 1980's. Something that my exhusband found on one of our backpacking trips and he stained the wood and put a rubber cap on the bottom. (I only dropped it seven times while we hiked!). When we were dating and I was on a seven week trip to Alaska, Harry attempted to section hike the PCT around Kennedy Meadows. His feet were blistered and a doctor told him not to do the hike so he never did get back to the PCT, I used the stick and liked to think he appreciated that I am doing this hike.
I also wore my tee shirt from my walk relay team, The Vintage Whine Walkers. Our team captain is very energetic and involved in many activities but feels thru-hiking the PCT is beyond her reach now. It feels like she is hiking with me when I wear the shirt. (She and I watch America Ninja Warrior when it's on and we text each other during the show since we are not watching it together). 

Not 100% sure but I think this is a banana slug. We saw many of these along this section of the PCT. 

Slowly some of my knowledge of identifying plants is returning to me. This is Vanilla Leaf also called Deer Foot. 

This segment was much easier, thus more enjoyable. Our total elevation gain for the hike was 2368 ft. 

There was a break in the trees and we got a view of Mt. Hood. Then we hiked and found an amazing viewpoint looking way down into a ravine with a river. There was a rock outcrop that was perfect for sitting on and eating our lunch.

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After lunch we continued hiking and came across NB thru-hikers who told us about trail angel magic at Trout creek. The word gets passed up and down the trail and the hikers hike a little faster to get to the trail angels before the food and drink runs out. I don't recall their names but they too had thru-hiked the PCT in a previous year. Below is a photo of Trout Creek.

This is a photo of Bunker Hill. I have previously hiked to the top 

This was the view of the Wind River from the bridge we crossed. 
Once again Strava fooled me with the mileage. Of course we had more roads to cross before reaching Panther Creek Campground. 
One reason for being close to hitting the wall about 3-4 miles from the end is perhaps due to not stopping and eating and drinking some electrolytes. I tend to focus on the finishing and instead I need to stop and get some much needed nutrition in me in order to finish the hike and not feel exhausted by the end. 

Our next sections are out of sequence. We plan to hike the Herman Creek Pinnacles area of the PCT and then check out PCT days. And then our next hikes will be two trails at Mt. Rainier. 
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