Wilderness

• Date 8-18-19
• Day:  13
• Start: 1915
• End: 1934
• Miles: 19
• Hours: 10
• High Temp: 77
• Low Temp: 40
• Thru Hikers Met: 3

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Brooks Lake Lodge

Good fortune was ours as we finished our breakfast.  The 3 men at the table next to us was just leaving as well. We asked if they were going up the highway to the summits and if so we could use a ride to the CDT. And so we got a ride  We’re on the trail by 0915 hrs.  Turns out these men are about 70 and have been hiking friends since college. They immediately identified we us as hikers because we had brought our packs with us. 

On the trail we soon come to Brooks Lake Lodge. It appears to be a dude ranch. 

Fireweed with Brooks Lake in the background 

Back into the wilderness 

Brooks Lake

As we start our walk around Brooks Lake there is a osprey fishing close to us. He makes a strike on the water but comes up enmpty. 

Looking south over Little Brooks Lake 

Ah yes we are back

The trail is easy today with little elevation challenges. Once we enter the wilderness the forests are dead from beetles and or fire. We walk for miles through the dead forests. Without the coolness of the higher elevations or the shade of a forest the sun becomes intense. We are hiking in the hottest temperatures yet. 

Open land

We did find some small sections of live forest

A broad look at the dead timber. You can see the new forest retiring 

More ruffled grouse along the trail today. They are a common presence now. 

We selected a campsite in a live forest adjacent to a pleasant meadow.  Nice to finally rest after an enjoyable day of hiking