Snoqualamie and the Summit Inn

Summit Inn is the red roof at this small turnoff on the interstate 90.

We arrived at the ski resort of Snoqualamie Pass on Sept. 8 after an entertaining night at Lizard Lake. (Near the town of Enemclaw) According to everyone but Firecracker this was the worst campspot of the entire journey so far. Lizard Lake is small and surrounded by a road. Just beyond the lake are huge power lines that are always buzzing. There was a small clearing just off the road and we were a bit desparate. It was past 6.00 pm, we were tired and walking two more miles without knowing how many campsites we would find made us weak in the decision making process. When we all arrived there were 3 young Ukranian boys fishing in water that had broken beer bottles in and a around it and cigarette butts floating on top of it. The water was not beautiful. We managed to pitch our two tents without bumping into a pile of shit someone had left. It was creepy human dirty and there were yahoos driving around the lake. Poor FC immediately felt empathy for the fish in the lake who had to live here and other birds and animals whose environment was being altered by unconscious people who think the earth is a dumping ground. It was so bad we had to start laughing and creating comical plots relating to the people driving by, why they were here, what they were doing , what might happen to us. FC got the water knowing that if TC saw it she would not drink it. She kept smelling it and screwing her face up. FC looked for a place to wash but there was a lot of garbage at the water's edge so she filled up a plastic bag and dipped in her bandana. That would have to suffice. Safely inside their hygenic tents all four hikers became hysterical listening to cars and generators and electrical buzzing.

       FC knew she would sleep well. The ground was level and she felt that if the fish could live in this lake she would gladly keep them company. She did sleep well until 3.00am when she was startled awake by some big splash sound. At 3:00am the imagination  has  no boundaries and reason is nowhere to be found. FC thought BIG animal because it was a big splash but she knew animals did not dive into water, they walked in or slipped in. This was one big splash. Was it a crazy MAN outside throwing boulders or body parts into the water? She heard it one more time. TC, her earplugs squished snugly into her holes was oblivious to FC's concerns. FC gave herself up to a possible grisly death and went back to sleep. She has the ability to do this when scared. If she is going to be killed it might be better to be asleep while being killed. When they awoke in the morning TC heard the sound and just said, "Fish". Princess had also heard the sound and said, "Dolphin". She had seen the Ukranians catch 2 tiny catfish and said these fish could not make  this sound. FC believed it to be the big fish everyone was trying to catch. 

      Our hikers did not linger here. By 7:20 they were getting back on trail. FC was the last to leave, she is always the last to leave,and as she scanned the space for left articles she blessed the fish and dragonflies and all the animals who lived by the lake who did not know that their environment could be purer. As she walked up the road a car slowly drove by, then backed up and drove forward again. FC looked inside and saw a large man in camo clothes that had been shredded. The vertical strips hung from his arms as he held the steering wheel. There was a woman in the passenger seat leaning over to get a look at FC. FC kept walking and did not look back. 

       We walked 18 miles into Snoqualmie  Pass where we stayed at the Summit Inn. Thread count on the sheets was more like a motel 6 and shoes had to be worn at all times. It was not the worst of accommodations. There was a food truck that sold amazing home-made chicken curry. His burgers were unique in every way- combined flavors, dressings, buns. Excellent food. There is also a coffee and pizza place that had high standards and we visited three times in two days. 

        Tomorrow we start to walk again. We have 250 miles to go and about 14 more walking days. This next section has been said to be the most scenic on the trail- steep, rocky, stunning panoramic views- but also one of the most physically challenging sections. We can muster up the QI we need but it is getting harder. We are still laughing and giggling everyday and I must say it, we are really having fun.