So back on trail at 8am. We went up and up, walking on ridges with the river on full flow way below us. We encountered three rattlesnakes and walked through aisles of these pretty but thorny yellow flowers- ouch! They were all shin to knee high, and every single one stuck me.
For our 10am break we stopped at a footbridge that crosses the river we’ve been hiking above- some southbound hikers passed us and advised to be sure to turn around once above the river. When we hiked up and away from our break spot Joe forgot to turn around, but I didn’t. There was a 40 foot waterfall, where the water carved through its rock basin, it was gorgeous! I hollered at Joe and be back tracked to snap some photos from a ledge.
Every morning before we leave camp, we use our Guthooks App to plan our day. Joe had found 16 miles down trail a camp site that was sure to offer amazing views of sunset. Getting there was easy enough- 16 miles? That’s not even a full day for us.
Well, the last 2 miles was mostly bushwacking. I have more fear of touching poison oak than being bitten by a rattlesnake. So I was not happy. Bushes, trees, willow, ferns, some unknown vegetation was touching every inch of me- my ankles, shins, knees, back of knees, thighs, neck, face, ears, eyelids- all places I would hate to have an itchy rash on. I would extend my trekking poles in front of me trying to push the branches out of my face, for them to only whip back and hit me full on the face. One bare branch whacked me on the chin! I had no idea my chin was that sensitive- it brought tears to my eyes.
Finally, when we were out of it, we found ourselves on the top of a rocky barren mountaintop, with the great lonely snow peak Mount Shasta in the distance, to the North west of us. The Sun was going to set just to it’s left, and it was epic. What a view! No matter what it may be, there are some luxuries that I’m willing to trade for a great view.
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