By noon, Sunkist, Bluejay, Dave, and I were ready to walk to Mazama Village. This was another tourist area in the national park and where a campground, restaurant, and camp store were located. We had resupply boxes to pick up there.
After continuing on the PCT alternate trail for a little more than two miles, we returned to the regular PCT footpath. We reached a shortcut trail leading to the campground after another 1.3 miles.
The others turned to take the shortcut, but I elected to keep going for eight-tenths of a mile more. I chose to walk on a road that led to the campground instead of the shortcut because I knew we’d be walking back the same way tomorrow. This way, I would not be skipping that short section of the PCT.
I’m not an absolute purist, but that eight-tenths of a mile seemed a little too much to skip if I didn’t have to.
By the time I reached the road, however, I was regretting my decision. Rain began to fall much harder. The road didn’t have much of a shoulder, which made it difficult to avoid getting sprayed by passing cars.
When I arrived at Mazama Village, I checked to see if Dave, Bluejay, and Sunkist were in the restaurant. Though it had only been a couple hours since we last ate, they were there and had already ordered food. I joined them and ordered a hamburger and fries.
While waiting for our food, we discussed the possibility of renting a cabin. This seemed like a good idea to me because of the rain, but Dave said he wasn’t interested in doing that.
After eating, we walked to the campground store and office to pick up our resupply boxes and pay for a campsite. We learned, however, that no sites were available.
A section is normally reserved for PCT hikers, but that was closed because dead trees were being removed there.
Before we had a chance to reconsider our options, we learned there had been a reservation cancellation. Thanks to the rain, we were able to get a campsite.
