Beech Gap

It was a long day—16.6 miles from Plumorchard Shelter. I saw a big fat glossy black snake on the trail today. At first I though it was a stick; when I realized it had a face, I shrieked and backpedaled several feet. Thank goodness no one was around. When I saw it wasn't poisonous, I started to laugh, and took a picture as the snake glided across the trail and up the hill.

The ground and trees are still bare. So, so strange, since spring was in full bloom when I left the Bay Area.

Muskrat Creek Shelter, 12:30pm I've been here about 10-15 minutes; Wiley and Orion are here, too. T was here last night about 7p. If he goes into town to catch Arkon tomorrow I might be able to catch him. Chinook and Izzy are headed for Standing Indian Shelter four miles away, as are Wiley and Orion. Depending on the terrain, that would put me in camp about 3p—kinda early. If I push on it's up and over Standing Indian Mtn (about 5300 feet) and then a additional easy 4.5 miles to Beech Gap and campsites. We'll see how the feets are doing.

Beech Gap, 5:45pm Well, I did indeed make it. I ran into Robert, already set up; haven't seen him since Low Gap. No one else here. It's a big wide gap, too, so plenty of sites. Buggy, though—Robert gave me a couple of spritzes of Avon Skin-so-soft. Now I smell clean, though I certainly am not clean.

I went through my book to see if I could not only make it to Wesser, but get there on the 12th so I can shower and launder before heading home, and I can. If I do only 12 miles/day I'll be there no problem. Before I came out here I was expecting something akin to a Desert Survivor hike; in other words, a wilderness experience with no roads, cars, buildings or phones. But with road crossings most days and towns every three days or so, it's quite the opposite (not to mention the shelters and the actual trail itself—I don't even use maps or a compass). Which fortunately means the opportunity to get clean on a regular basis. Unfortunately it also means I'm packing way too much food. I don't mind sleeping on the dirt, using the bear's toilet, or eating the same thing day after day, but I really, really, look forward to a hot water shower after three days on the trail. Funny what you miss. It's 8p now and I'm going to bed.