Start: 0730 - Mojave River Forks Reservoir
End: 1830 - PCT mile 333-ish
Miles (today): 20
Miles (cumulative): 351.5 (277 PCT, 69.5 alternate, 5 off)
The day started out with trail magic! We had only walked about a mile when we came upon this:
What's this?!? Trail Magic?! Yay!
Coppertone is a very cool guy. His particular form of magic is root beer floats and pie a la mode. When he asked me which one I wanted I hesitated - I don't have much of a sweet tooth (and I had just eaten breakfast) but I didn't want to NOT have anything because I didn't want him to think I didn't appreciate what he was doing. Thankfully, Nick had my back and told me there were also bananas to be had. Bananas?! I love bananas! Dilemma diverted.
It was a pretty hot day today (not complaining, I'll still take being hot over being cold), so Coppertone's root beer floats were definitely an awesome surprise to hikers who got to his spot later in the day (don't get me wrong, it was still awesome in the morning... But to come upon Coppertone during the hottest part of the day would be spectacular). I've been smiling all day just thinking about how happy Coppertone most likely made the hikers behind us (like Smiles and Sara).
Coppertone (and Nick enjoying his root beer float)
We encountered more trail magic later in the day, too - this time it was a well-placed cooler with water inside. We definitely needed it!
more trail magic! This cooler had water inside for us to enjoy. Thank you anonymous trail angel!
Cedar Springs Spillway
I love how creative people are to help us find the trail
Today's challenge (for me) was hiking around Silverwood Lake for several miles in the blistering heat - I kept looking down at the water and really, REALLY wanted to swim. On top of that, it was way past lunchtime so I was nearing my limit. We made it to a nice lunch spot and it all worked out, but for a while there I was struggling mentally.
Silverwood Lake
Rattlesnakes seemed to be out to get me today - I encountered two today. One was half hidden in the grass right next to the trail - thankfully, I happened to see his rattle and so didn't inadvertently step too close. The second rattlesnake I didn't see until I got too close (much, much too close - I was less than a foot away). I'm getting really good at screaming and jumping out of the way. :)
Rattlesnake 1
Rattlesnake 2, the one I didn't see
Nick and I somehow misplaced the topographical map of the area we're in now, so we were sort-of hiking blind as far as finding a suitable campsite is concerned. We found a decent spot but I'm anxious to see what's up ahead. :)