Day 136
8/16/14
35.2 miles to Urich Cabin
2355.5 total miles

The skies finally cleared for us the day we hiked thru Rainer National Park.

It was a great day for wildlife…. elk, marmot, bear and mice. Early this morning we could hear the pounding hooves of elk. Down below we could see a herd running through the trees.

Not much later we saw a big bear above the trail eating huckleberries.  He knew we were around but he kept on eating. We watched him for about 10 minutes… cool.

Approaching Chinook Pass we saw lots of day hikers and backpackers. They all seemed to be headed to Dewey Lake.  It’s pretty and big but it sure will be crowded tonight.

I’ve been trying to meet up with my friend from the Appalachian Trail,  Apollo.  Somehow we missed each other today but he left a cooler of goodies for us. Thanks.

Atlas wanted to sleep in one on trail shelter. The timing didn’t work for the others, Peter Grub and Maiden Peak. We needed to hike 35 to get to Urich cabin. I was game to try. We jammed the rest of the day and made it before dark. I had forgotten how beautiful the ridge walking was. Just stunning.

Once we got to the cabin Atlas went to work on building a fire in the stove. Almost immediately the first of the famous mice showed up. Then 2 dirt bikers roared up and joined us. More mice. I definitely didn’t want to sleep on the floor. We both claimed the narrow benches to sleep on. The best part of the night was waking up to one of the dirt biker’s screams when a mouse ran across his face. He had told us he wasn’t afraid of mice!

Met new thruhikers. … Hippo,  Thirsty,  Safety. Also Lionheart, Crusher.

No time for snack breaks today