Another Week, Another Zero (Started back at Mile 285.9, elevation 7550 - 5476 ft)

I hadn't intended taking another zero so soon, but desert hiking is hot, dirty and sweaty.  When I came up against a trail closure and had to have Marv drive me around and up a very rutted dirt road to deposit me on the other side of the closure, I decided I may as well shower and wash clothes before resuming.  As I was showering, I became aware of a half-golf-ball-sized lump on my right collar bone.  It was a little tender, but looked far worse than it felt.

I had Marv look at my pack adjustment to see what needed to be done to take pressure off of that spot.  I had a similar, but smaller problem on the left side.  No matter how we adjusted the various straps, it just didn't look right.  We finally decided to stop at REI on the way back to the trail and have them adjust my pack, or redistribute weight in the pack to optimal arrangement.  I had purchased the unisex ultralight Osprey EXOS 58 pack and had it fitted a year ago while in Boise at REI.  As soon as the guy at REI looked at the pack on me, he informed me that the pack was too long for my torso.  No amount of adjusting was going to fix the problem.  Since REI had fitted the pack to begin with, they agreed to take the pack back and fit me with a new pack.  A very helpful guy named Jon suggested a slightly heavier pack made especially for a women's frame.  With the amount of water I had been forced to carry, he thought the beefier pack would carry the weight better and actually feel lighter.  It was strange to transfer my gear into the new pack (an Osprey Aura AG 65).  The Exos had served me well and it was like giving up a good friend.  Also, I hate the red color of the new pack.  By coincidence, my old pack, solar panels (that hang off the back) and my tent were all green, black and grey.  I now have this horrid red thing, although after messing with minor adjustments as I've hiked, it will be a much better pack.  It has more pockets and my organization is much better than with my other pack that had one big compartment for everything.

Modeling my new "RED" Christmas backpack.

Back on the trail.

Starting late in the day, I knew I wouldn't get far.  Met a few more hikers, stopping to visit with "Yard Sale" and Emily during a snack break.  They are young 20 somethings and I will leap frog with Yard Sale several times over the next few days.  I hiked around Big Bear Lake and followed Holcomb Creek. I'm hiking on Gold Mountain where the largest gold rush occurred in 1860. There are a ton of jeep trails all over the mountain.  There is actually a tour called "The Gold Fever Trail" that is self-guided to 12 sites, including some of the old mines. It was wonderful to see water close at hand, and I camped under a big pine next to the babbling creek, letting the running water lull me to sleep.

I see trees ahead! 

I love hiking and smelling pine.

I filter water in a creek going right across the trail,

Nice camp spot all to myself.

 It was also wonderful to hike in and out of tall trees and wild flowers, although the terrain is still very dry.  Various types of snakes and lizards are still my trail companions.  The hiking was easy as I was hiking lower in elevation for a change and ended the day at 5476 ft.