August 28

End: lakelet after separation creek
Daily: 31.2
Total: 1873

Over 30 and we don't feel completely dead!

Morning was incredibly buggy. Bugs really help our mileage because I just want to run away from them. They died down a little while after the first really rays of sun hit us.

After Horseshoe Lake came about a million horses. One couple on a pretty paint and a mule who said they might do trail magic at Hwy 26 this weekend, then a few pack trains and families. We tried to hitch to no avail. Then one of the mules saw us and freaked out. I'm sure if he'd had a rider he would have bucked him off. We weren't even doing anything threatening - we were sitting on the ground.

Anyway, then past the Elk Lake junctions we ran into Mowgli! She had taken a zero in Bend with Shaker. We hiles with her up the big climb and then later on in the day. I was nice to catch up since we hadn't seen her since we were still wallowing around in snow.

We also ran into Billy Goat and Amoeba today, at the top of the climb. I guess Oregon's where you go to meet trail celebrity.

The end of the day was so beautiful. Views of South and Middle Sister over meadows, creeks and flowers. This section has a unique beauty. I would recommend a section/day hike in this area. It's hard to explain, but the rough rockiness of the volcanos and thing like the Rock Mesa with obsidian cliffs, along with the trees and meadows and flowers just make this place really interesting.

Camped with Mowgli near a lake. We have a gorgeous view of South Sister. To Bend/Kevin's house tomorrow.