Day 99- 52 miles

Today was the day I did over 50 miles for the second time. It began a little ways past Jude lake and ended past timberline lodge. It was really not a bad section, with a few lakes along the way including Timothy lake. The only thing that seemed to spoil some of it was the views were very infrequent, with all the walking in green forests. As I approached mt hood and began the walk around it, I was already around mile 45 for the day and the trail went up a sandy hill. It was pretty rough and was one of those climbs that 2 steps forward meant one back. Once up the hill, views of mt hood were amazing with the peak looking down upon us hikers. To add to the beauty, the trail was bordered with amazing wildflowers. As I went by timberline lodge there were many day hikers snapping lots of pictures of hood. It was strange to be walking under some of the ski lifts that I have snowboarded on, only this time the snow was gone. After crossing highway 26 at waipiti pass and highway 35 at Barlow pass today, the only section left is the 40 some miles I have to get to cascade locks. 52 miles was a giant day for me and I can tell I am exhausted and may not be so fast tomorrow. The key today was my pace was close to 4 miles an hour. Even though cascade locks is within a long day of where I am camped, i am thinking I will do it in a day and a half due to the anticipation of being pretty tired tomorrow.