[pct-l] Burgers In Paradise

[Pea Hicks]

for me, the best pct burger was one that most pct hikers will never get 
a chance to sample, even though it's not too far off the pct... it was 
the "marion forks burger," at the marion forks cafe in (duh) marion 
forks, oregon.

in 06, there was a fire that closed the pct from mckenzie pass to mt 
jefferson. on the north edge of the closure, the best trailhead access 
to the pct was the woodpecker ridge trail, on the flanks of mt. 
jefferson. the only way to get there was to hitch to marion forks 
(nothing there but a fish hatchery and the cafe) and then hike or hitch 
up a 6-mile dirt road to the trailhead.

i got a hitch from a nice lady in sisters, and bought her lunch at the 
marion forks cafe before heading up the dirt road to the trailhead. the 
marion forks burger was incredible! it had all sorts of stuff piled on 
it- here's a pic:

http://www.trailjournals.com/photos.cfm?id=268405

this pic was actually taken last summer (07), when i returned to oregon 
to hike that section that had been closed. i finished the pct at 
woodpecker ridge, and made sure to have another marion forks burger to 
celebrate!!

on another note, i just got back from 3 amazing days in the sierra, 
hiking out of horseshoe meadow, up mulkey pass, along the pct, to 
chicken spring lake, then over to soldier lake, and back to horseshoe 
via new army pass. *perfect* weather, no mosquitos, very few people- 
just awesome!!! it's been awhile since i've hiked low-mileage days, and 
i really appreciate having the luxury to simply *hang out* at so many 
idyllic spots. new army pass was definitely the highlight!!


girlscout