Cascade Connie: The Bad Back Hike, page 24

The Bad Back Hike

Waptus River, page 24

Mica on Waptus River trail

Day 14, 10:15 AM
Friday, September 20, 1991
Cayuse Campground

Well, it seemed we weren’t quite as far down the Waptus River Trail as I thought we were when we set up camp Wednesday night. That little miscalculation made for a long trip out yesterday.

Mica Eiger and I had a leisurely breakfast (applesauce and hazelnuts for me, dog food for Mica) and chatted with a young couple on horseback who told us about the trailhead relocation. More importantly, they told us about the two campgrounds. The first (Salmon La Sac) is at the end of the spur road and prior to the bridge over the Cle Elum River and is closed for the season. The second (Cayuse Campground) is just south of the closed ranger station, seems to be mostly for horse parties, but it was open. Swell.

Shortly after breakfast, Steve from Spokane dropped by. He had been up at Terrance and Michael lakes and was leaving a day early due to the high hunt. He said the horsemen frequent the lower lake (Michael) but not the upper because there wasn't enough fodder for the horses at Terrance. He also said it was a steep grueling hike up Trail Creek.

Waptus River

We chatted amiably for a while and I asked if he would be willing to call C&G for me to relay the change of pickup location. He promptly agreed, so unless he loses the information I wrote down for him, I believe he will make the call. But, just in case, I will assume my position at noon in front of the ranger station so C. can't possibly miss seeing me.

It was a pleasant hike out… Until I reached Hourglass Creek and realized how I misjudged my previous night's location – by about a mile. After that, it was a hot, miserable, dusty, thirsty slog out. It’s ironic how a mental perception can change your physical reality. I felt myself getting close to heat exhaustion by the time we hit the junction with the new and old trailheads.

– Keep reading.

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