Last year, I alternated between loving and hating the PCT in California. On the one hand, I loved the wide open vistas, the diversity, the amazingly well maintained trail (PCTA volunteers are so dedicated!). On the other hand, I grew weary of the monotony, the long water carries, the totally exposed stretches, and long stretches of head scratching terrain (a dirt road next to an aqueduct, 100 miles of wind turbines, 80 miles of sand dunes).
This year, I am utterly and completely in love with Oregon. Oregon has the sweeping views, the striking mountain peaks, diversity in the form of alpine meadows full of wildflowers, countless lakes, volcanic rock, and -of course- the tall, tall trees.
I love over being in the trees. Some hikers lament about "the green tunnel", where all you see is trees. I love it. There is a very different energy in the trees. It's soothing, calming. And the silence is so thick and heavy and complete- like wet cotton. The silence feels alive. Sometimes I would stop hiking in my tracks and hold my breath to really experience that silence. It's strangely invigorating.
Oregon on also had some unexpected exposed stretches- over the past few years, there have been a number of forest fires. So there are large stretches of burned out areas, where you walk through the blackened remains of tree trunks, gradually becoming bleached out in the sun.
And theres swimming. On hot afternoons, it's so nice to jump in cold lakes or rivers and cool off.
Seriously, what's not to love about Oregon?