The Wonderland Journal

Miles hiked: 29.4

Mile marker: 1709.8

Total ascent: 5200 ft

Total descent: 4800 ft

An opaque sun beam shines through the mountains over the trees before the sun is actually up. It’s an almost-cool sort of day. That’s a nice change from the heat we’ve been experiencing!

I walk through meadows of rock as the morning begins. I’m also regretting my decision to purchase the fancy hot chocolate. The Swiss miss hot chocolate is much better for my coffee! It’s sweeter and doesn’t taste… I don’t know. Funny. Off. Something old. 

Rafiki stops and laughs at a sign that reads:

YOU HAVE DIED OF DYSENTERY 

The Oregon game is on our minds, a game that many of us played as kids (not me).

Voyager starts off hiking strong, but as the heat comes out, she grows slower. We’re wondering if she ate something bad. 

The mountains are different shades of pale, dusty, gray, and cool blues, looking like it belongs on the wallpaper of a nursery. 

The trail goes uphill from here. I hear the ‘jingle jingle’ of cowbells, and stop to find a black cow as big as a mini cooper running away from me!

We stop at a cabin that is falling apart. I feel like I’m walking into a horror movie as I step up the creepy steps! There are three cots inside with mouse droppings all over them. There are three doors, one of which is locked, and also a crooked ladder on the warped floor that leads to a tiny loft. 

There’s also a pit toilet with no fourth wall. We all joke about our last poops in California!

We soon come to a tree with a sign that points to Oregon. 

We’re getting closer!

At last! We’ve made it to Oregon! I sign the log book and jump from side to side saying “I’m in Oregon! California. Oregon! California.”

Dad was here six days ago!

Mount Shasta is still visible, floating in the sky like a peice of heaven way off in the distance. 

We walk uphill for a while, then finally lunch at a spring under a tree. The lunch break is monopolized by planning for our zero. I messaged my mom for help here, but thankfully we have service! 

We decide on staying in the neighboring town Medford since that has an REI, Winco, and Walmart. 

After a long lunch, we hike and reach 1700 miles! Woohoo! 

Everyone is slow today, but me. They’re all dealing with upset stomachs, too much acid, heat rash or fungal foot infections, etc. I come up on a cooler with trail magic! Yay! We sit for a pop (I get a crème soda), then keep moving. 

“I want to cut that switchback, but I can’t,” Voyager says. 

The switchback cuts to the road, right where we need to go. 

“Do it,” I say. 

“No,” Bumper says. 

“If you’re going to cut any switchback on trail, this is the one. That’s a field of rock you’d be walking through,” Rafiki says. 

We walk the trail. 

Soon we arrive at the cabin! It’s a two-walled stone shelter. I make some food and set up for the night. Rafiki loses his drink mix bag! Oh no!

I shovel rice and beans into my mouth. 

I lay down and smell one thing for sure:

Stinky feet. 

Man, I need a pedicure. Bad.