PCT Day 108 – Hwy 104 (1774.9) to PCT mile 1800.8

July 21, 2026

Total PCT miles: 25.9

Non PCT miles: 1.4

Total: 27.3 miles / 43.9 km

Total elevation gain: 4590 ft

Total elevation loss: 2871 ft

Steps: 61645

Remaining Distance: 854.2 miles

Despite sleeping next to a highway and the not insignificant noise from the passing cars and trucks I passed out hard last night. I don’t even think the traffic woke me up through the night the night. I guess after hiking 50 kilometers I can sleep just about anywhere.

I snoozed my early alarm and contemplated sleeping in and going to Fish Lake Resort for breakfast at 0700 instead of hitting the trail early. The temptation of a real breakfast was almost too much to pass up but somehow I found myself hiking at 545 instead. I mean 2 protein bars are pretty much just as good as a restaurant breakfast right? Before leaving I filled my water from the water cache. I can’t remember the last time I had to rely on a water cache. I didn’t even know they were a thing in Oregon but they are and for good reason.

Most of the day was spent again hiking through a forest with very limited water sources. Fortunately I’ve eaten about 1/2 my food so I can afford to carry extra water. About 10 miles into the day I came to my first water source. I ate lunch and unsuccessfully attempted to patch the leak in my water collection bag.

It was hot and I felt like I was starting to over heat. So a few miles later I took a 0.7 mile trek off the PCT to Island Lake for a swim. It wasn’t the nicest lake. Fairly shallow and lots of dirt on the bottom but it cooled me off all the same.

At least in this section there are lots of small lakes within a short detour off trail should you find yourself in trouble over the heat. If I wasn’t trying to make miles I may have explored a little more.

Shortly after I started climbing up to 7200 ft and it even started sprinkling rain for a good 20 mins. I’m not sure if I’ve ever been so happy for it to rain while I was hiking. I only wish it had rained more. Finally I got some great view and even enjoyed a decent ridge walk.

I arrived at camp and was treated to a beautiful sunset that I shared with a nuisance deer that I hope doesn’t bother me all night. That said I’ve seen no other humans today. So looks like the deer is the only living thing I have to talk to.

Tomorrow I’ll be getting up early and will hopefully get into Crater Lake while the restaurant is still open. I also have a potential 20 mile water carry which is always fun.