First of August 2024
19 miles 1500 D+ 1100 D-
After 21 days in Oregon, this morning, we crossed the famous Bridge of Gods, a metal bridge suspended 165 feet above the Columbia River. This moment was eagerly awaited, as it heralded the beginning of the end, the last major stretch before the Canadian northern border.
The crossing is weird. The road beneath our feet is made of wide-mesh wire grid, leaving the void visible beneath our feet. We walk in front of the cars on a road with no sidewalk. Atmosphere, atmosphere. However, vehicles avoid all hikers, and it’s clear that pedestrians are not uncommon on this road.
We admire the view from the balcony over Cascade Locks and enjoy this moment, a little out of time, in transition.
But it doesn’t take us long to get back into the swing of things. A tough climb awaits us, 4600 feet of ascent, and for once, it’s a real slope. It’s a steep climb for over 5 hours, with a terrible finish in full sunshine. We take advantage of Oregon’s new heat wave to see that the previous one has toughened us up. Except we make the same mistake: misjudging our water supply. Between the absence of a spring and a dry one, we end up walking almost 13 miles with only 1.5 l each. Dangerous and very uncomfortable.
Otherwise, few photos today due to battery camera failure. In addition, the landscapes are rather invisible, with the forest-covered route. A pity.
Tonight we sleep at Rock Creek, a small river in a lush, rather humid setting.
