The past two days have been like a weekend summer camping trip. I woke up at my river-side camp spot yesterday morning and really took my time getting things together, purifying water, and looking over my maps. On one of the reports I had it said that the trail was closed from the spot I was camped at to the highway about 16 miles away. The trail had been rerouted, and I could see the markers heading across the river, but there was no sign right on the trail, and from the footprints it looked like most people were sticking to the proper trail. I was taking my time waiting to see if any hikers came past, and one eventually did. A man named Robert who I haven't seen in a while, and who decided to disregard the warnings of rock slides and broken bridges and stick to the trail. I finished packing up camp and made my way along the patch about 40 minutes later. It was a hot day, and I was walking high above the river which was a real tease as temperature and trail climbed. Every corner exposed another perfectly clear, deep swimming hole cozied up to a sandy beach, both screaming for coolers of beer and dozens of friends. Around 2 I came to the hot springs, and I was glad to have not taken the detour route and risked the trail. It was a pretty exquisite spot in a wide bend of the river. Clear water with high rocks to jump into it from, punctuated by steamy little pools closer to the warm, shaded bank. I found Robert there, as well as Eric and Zana, the couple who started hiking on the same day as me way back in camp. I thought they had gotten well ahead, so it was a pleasant surprise to see them. The hot springs are accessible from a road about a 5 mile hike away, so there were a few people out just for the day lounging around soaking up the sun. I went for a swim that left my whole body smiling. Jumping off rocks into a pool of clearest blue water, and paddling over to a soothing, warm natural tub is about my idea of paradise. I got out eventually and went to sit with Zana and Eric and make myself a tuna wrap with a packet of sweet pickle relish. As we three chatted, a young guy came up and introduced himself as Tom Saufley. The name Saufley doesn't mean much to anyone outside the hiking community, but Donna Saufley is basically the epitome of a trail angel. Her house is at around the 500 mile mark, and she has completely devoted it to PCT hikers. She has it set up with pretty much everything a hiker could ever want, and it seems that for many hikers their time at her house is one of the best parts of his or her adventure. Tom is her son, so he can obviously spot a thruhiker from miles away. He lives in LA, and was out at the springs with his girlfriend and a buddy, but I'm guessing he figured their might be hikers around. All three of them were great to meet, and I hope they are at his mom's when I roll through. He has friends in the Dead Baby Bicycle Club! And his girlfriend is going to cut my hair! No other hikers rolled through, and around 5 Zana, Eric, and I decided to head out and find a campsite together. They are a really great young couple who live in Detroit, but are thinking of moving to Portland after the trail. Zana is originally from Florida though. It was a beautiful hike heading west out of the canyon with the river still dancing away below us. The trail headed back down to meet it after a few miles, and we made camp in the sand beside it. I had my most comfortable temperature night so far, and slept very well. the three of us hiked together today, and I really like their pace. They let me hike between them which I think is cute. It got brutally hot as it got closer to noon, but we were headed towards a giant lake which was a strong driving force. Lake Silverwood ended up being a tantilizing disappointment. We were all expecting to be able to swim, shower, get ice cream, and comfortably camp at this lake, and ended up doing basically none of the above. The trail snakes around the lake, too high to jump into, and with no path forged down to it. We hiked the entire way around the lake until the trail finally spat us out in the middle of the parking lot, and quite far from the water. It was hot, and I think I was pretty dehydrated. A conversation with the park ranger revealed that the mini mart attached to the marina was closed, but that showers and camping was up the hill. For a shower you paid 50¢ to have water beat onto your back for three minutes at a pressure that felt like it was shot from a cannon. It was somewhat refreshing, and I rinsed some clothes in one of the campsite taps. It wasn't a very accommodating camp ground, and I was bitter about the inaccessibility of the water. There was still enough daylight to hike a few more miles without too much difficulty, so the three of us reshouldered our packs, and got back on the trail. There is a Mcdonald's at mile 342, about 10 miles from here, and it is hilarious how excited every single person on the trail is to get there. I've really only seen Eric an Zana and Robert for the past few days, but Robert has seen others and everyone is beelining to the big macs! Eric and Zana and I are going to try and make it in time for breakfast tomorrow, and then stay for lunch. I'm still eating pretty well out on the trail though, I stuck a packet of salsa in my ramen tonight and that was awesome. The railroad runs along the interstate, and at 10 miles away I can hear it bellowing through the pass. I like the sound of trains, though it reminds me of Portland.
-Georgia-
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