DAY 8 CASCADE STATE PARK

I left the trail today and headed to Cascade SP. I was hoping I’d stay there tonight. Without a reservation, chances were slim. 

Since I currently have only a vague sense of time, and day and date are unknowns to me, I got to the park before the rangers did. Driving (not hiking) into the park at this very early hour I found Ranger Amy sorting the beginnings of day; she’d happened to show up early. In spite of the glaring “FULL” sign in front of me I asked for a tent site for one night. There wasn’t any she said. With a little twinkle in my eye, I suggested she take a closer look at me. She did. Then without need of further explanation she realized I’d just come down from the trail. I confirmed I’d been section hiking. Like magic, a site opened up; I was given the last overflow tent site in the park. All of the state parks along the trail reserve at least one free overflow for SHT hikers. I was relieved and could now settle into hiking the SHT and other trails that meander through the state park. But first, I took a shower and washed my hair. I felt like a person again.

I hiked the trails in this 12 mile long, 6600 acre park. There are a plethora of trails including the SHT that cuts through it. My last stop of the day would be Lookout Mt. A touristy, day hiker kind of place and generally busy. But I saved it for the end of the day when I figured it would be less congested. And it was.

On this hike I met two thru hikers, both women heading up the mountain and headed to the next campsite down the SHT trail. They were young, probably early 20’s, had a distance to go so we didn’t talk long.

Cascade is an impressive place. It’s chock full of rushing rivers, deep gorges, tall stands of old-growth pines and hardwoods, imposing waterfalls and impressive CCC-era buildings still used today. The view of Lake Superior is often close at hand.

The trails are pretty tame as trails go, some are worn well by day hikers but still require some fancy footwork. Like I said, they’re numerous and I covered about 10 miles of them. I was slack packing, so it felt easy. At the end of the day I hiked up to Lookout Mountain where I found a bench so I sat on it. It was a perfect fit. It started to gently rain. No one was there but me, the rain and the view.

The Cascade River is daunting; not so unlike the other great rivers on the North Shore. It rages over ancient volcanic basalt bedrock making its way to join Lake Superior. My knees turn to jello when I stand above water like this even on the sturdiest of bridges or high along the edges of its banks (but no where near the edges). The tannin-filled waters are so mighty, so forceful, it seems nothing can stop their power as they thunder over the falls.

 I’m not ready to leave. This trail has become a part of me during my short stay on her. 

I’ve learned a lot and there's so much more to learn.