Even with the AC unit in the room, it was still hot. The low in Portland was 84° for the night and I awoke in a sweat. The bus to Portland to Mt Hood, where I am meeting Sandman to get back on trail, was shockingly easy and cheap. It cost me $7 to go 3 hours by bus from center of Portland to the mountain. 

It was refreshing to be at higher elevation because it was much cooler (although still almost 90°). 

I sat in the lobby from 12:30 until 4pm when Sandman arrived. We ordered ice cream (he ate 3 bowls and I one) and caught up on our last few days. He hiked through the 115° degree heat the last 3 days, but didn’t know it was that hot until meeting 2 day hikers today. Sandman is a machine. I’m hella impressed with him hiking through the heat the last few days. 

We left Timberline Lodge around 5:30 to hike a little over 5 miles to a campsite. It might take me a day or so to get back into the swing of things, but it feels amazing to be back on trail and especially to be back at the Timberline Lodge. Last June, I hiked the Timberline Trail around Mt Hood when it was snow covered. Now thankfully most of the snow has melted so it’s like I’m hiking a new trail!

For those curious, I’ll be coming back to complete the section I missed from McKenzie Pass to Mt Hood once I touch the Canadian border. 

Miles: 5.2

Total Miles: 2,200