Another Beautiful Day in Paradise

Starting Trail Mile 1320.8 and elevation 7351 ft.

After once again sleeping until the other hikers had parted, I slowly roll out of bed and prepare to hike.  I'm low on water, but know that there is a flowing spring coming up.  I take a couple of bites of protein bar and delay breakfast until I reach Cold Springs.  As I begin to hike, I immediately find myself hiking through beautiful meadows of fragrant wild flowers and many different types of butterflies.  I stop at Cold Springs.  It is a natural spring that has been piped into a trough for cattle, and is a bonus for hikers passing through.  I'm actually crossing a private ranch.  The spring lives up to its name because the water is so cold that my hands are frozen by the time I get my filtering work done.  It is wonderful tasting and I enjoy the easy access as this is only 300 feet off the trail.

The fragrance is amazing!

There began to be stream after stream to cross.  I counted at least 20 smaller streams and 3 larger river crossings.  I did well, not getting my feet wet except for one very wide crossing.  I thought I had picked a good path, although the rock steps were further apart.  About half way across, one rock was particularly slippery and in I went.  The water was shallow, but deep enough to get both feet thoroughly wet.  I had to walk for the next 9 miles of the day with wet feet.  I was definitely glad to take off those shoes and dry my feet at the end of the day.

Lovely split-rail fence on ranch approaching spring.

Cold Springs captured and piped into trough for cattle (and hikers)

Cold Springs

Huge downed tress in old growth forest.

Black-tail buck turning to run after spotting me.

Another new wild flower to enjoy!

Lots of sunflowers.

Lots of butterflies all day.

                         








































 One toe is bruised purple and I have shooting pain in that toe that lasts until 3 am.  Unfortunately, my ibuprofen was in my food bag high in a tree, at least 200 feet from my tent.  Another sleepless night.  Now I'm getting grumpy!

In many cases, Mother Nature provides stepping stones.

Will the logs roll or can I trust them to keep me dry?

Setting up for another night in the woods.