Today was a kinda mixed day. It started really great with the Knife’s Edge where I had amazing views and interesting trail. Later the trail went in to forest and even a few mosquito infested sections.

I love the early morning colors
I love the early morning colors

Cool rock wall demonstrating some of the work that goes into maintaining a trail
Cool rock wall demonstrating some of the work that goes into maintaining a trail

I started a bit earlier than usual at 0538 since I wanted to get to White Pass as close to lunch as possible. White Pass is a store 0.6 miles from the trail that holds packages and offers usual gas station fare.

Starting to see the mountains near Knife’s Edge in the distance
Starting to see the mountains near Knife’s Edge in the distance

Looking back at Mount Adams I believe
Looking back at Mount Adams I believe

Big snow patch I crossed with Mount Adams in the background
Big snow patch I crossed with Mount Adams in the background

Mount Rainier in distance with a snow covered high mountain lake in the foreground
Mount Rainier in distance with a snow covered high mountain lake in the foreground

Selfie with the same view
Selfie with the same view

The trail for the first few hours was magnificent, the best in Washington so far. The trail slowly climbed and I had to cross a few snow patches. At a certain point the trail splits between a stock route and a more difficult hiker route. I took the hiker route which climbs steeply to a ridge called Knife’s Edge and the highest point on the PCT in Washington I believe.

Big snow patch before the climb to Knife’s Edge
Big snow patch before the climb to Knife’s Edge

Looking at the stock route which runs much lower than the hiker route
Looking at the stock route which runs much lower than the hiker route

Panorama looking back at Mount Adams
Panorama looking back at Mount Adams

Looking to the east from Knife’s Edge
Looking to the east from Knife’s Edge

The trail continued on the ridge for some time and this entire section had great views.

Selfie with the ridge I later hiked in the background
Selfie with the ridge I later hiked in the background

The ridge that the trail followed for some miles
The ridge that the trail followed for some miles

Looking back up at the high point of Knife’s Edge
Looking back up at the high point of Knife’s Edge

As the trail descended it sadly went back in to forests and quite a few mosquito sections.

As I made the highway I headed to the White Pass store. Here I collected my resupply and new shoes. I also had done snacks and drinks.

Rock slope with nice views
Rock slope with nice views

The camp for today was a bit off trail, when I arrived 2 other tents are already setup. The camp had some mosquitos but not the worst I have had.

Some southbounders say they did not have many mosquitos further north, but I am not getting my hopes up.

Another thing about Washington is that it seems quite humid which can make hiking in the heat tough.

I hope to make it to Snoqualmie Pass by end of day the day after tomorrow. But that requires that I hike a lot of miles tomorrow.