Last year, there were record numbers of fires along the PCT- along the entire west coast. For the last few hundred miles of trail before I exited at Crater Lake, I had no views. From high up on the ridge lines, I looked down into valleys filled with smoke. Always smelling smoke, often tearing up from smoke (depending on which way the wind was blowing), always wondering if we were hiking right into a fire or away. I didn't realize how stressed out I was.
This is year is a completely different story.
The skies have been clear and blue, the sun shining, the views spectacular and smoke free. I spent a few days leap frogging with a group who had been on trail since Campo: Butterfly, Turbo, Sweetpea, Juice, and Spreadsheet. We often camped together at night , like at Elk Cove Resort, where we stopped for dinner.
Ultimately, I got off trail 20 miles before they did at Mackenzie Pass, where they were pushing on to Santorium Pass- both leading to Sisters and Bend.
I would see see them again, though.
Peace, Love, and Trail Magic!