It had been way too long since I had been out on Meadow Creek Trail to Pear Lake so I took a few days this past weekend to remedy that situation!
I had hoped to camp at Pear Lake and day hike along the PCT but between the warm temps, smoky skies and berries I was not as aggressive a hiker as I had hoped. No bother, it was still just as beautiful as ever. The trail was first full of Oregon grape which transitioned to thimbleberry and then it was nothing but wild blueberries everywhere. Almost every other hiker I saw for the two days was bent over noshing.
Starting later than usual on Friday, I ended up stopping short of Fortune Ponds at Fortune Pass instead. I only saw a few other people passing by and enjoyed the solitude. The leaves are starting to turn towards autumn, and there were plenty of water sources.
On the second day I continued to Fortune Ponds and set up my hammock, leaving it and taking the trail to the gap and scree field above Pear Lake where I spent a few hours just enjoying the views. Most of the horizon was in a haze and I wondered how the fire was doing north of me on Red Mountain. Some clouds rolled in and I got sprinkled on but I was in my happy place so all was good.
After lunch I made my way back to Fortune Ponds and soaked my feet in the water while dragonflies flitted around me. The sun had returned and all was right in the world. Not really but I could pretend for a little while.
It was nice to see the privy at Fortune is still in good shape.
After a nap and dinner, I opted to hike back out to the car rather than stay another night. The forecast had a chance of thunderstorms and the sky had gotten moody so I figured that was better than hiking out with wet gear and foliage. I think I will try and get back out in the next month, hopefully with less ash in the air.
And I saw a bear! Sure it was on the Beckler River Road but I still saw a bear. :)
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