Day 17: Lazy river days

May 6, Day 17: Mile 213.4-230.9

Miles Hiked: 17.5

Gratitude of the Day: I’m thankful for my great friends Ben and Melissa. We’ve been great friends for over 17 years, we’ve traveled together, hiked, camped and spent countless nights playing games and having the best of times. I could write a book describing how wonderful these two people are and how much they mean to me. Short and sweet, I’m so happy to have them in my life.

Last night I actually got some decent sleep. Waking up at 5am I was first packed up and out of camp by 5:30am. It was a decent morning, just the right weather as we followed the water drainage up the hill, crested the “V” and then headed back downhill to the White Water Preserve where we all met up (minus Clancy who missed the group and kept walking) and soaked in the cool water, washed all my clothes and aired them out in the warm morning sun. Over an hour there and we all headed out to the next water source at Mission Creek 5 miles ahead. 

The next 5 miles was an exposed hot uphill and then back down sufferfest. By 11:30 the suns heat was baking the think sand we were having to walk in and it made it feel like the soles of your shoes were melting. Then at 1:30 we arrived at the shade of a wonderful tree, the sound of cool clear running water and again I stripped down and gave myself a sponge bath in a desert oasis of a creek. After a little bit of food we’re all huddled under the shade of a tree taking a siesta waiting out the midday heat before pushing another 4-5 miles later this afternoon. 

4pm came and we all stepped out from under the wonderful shade of our creek side tree and headed up Mission Creek. We’d spend the next several hours following cairns up the washed out trail crossing the creek multiple times over and over again. Walking in the river rock was difficult but much better than the scorching hot sand from early today and we are in a canyon so the sun was blocked by the walls mostly.  Finally we came upon our camp, right next to a flowing creek. Another sponge bath in a cool mountain stream before bed and snuggled into my warm sleeping bag for the night. 

Meet: Jacob and Sarah

I meet Jacob (Trailname: Matador) and Sarah (Zippy) on day one 4.4 miles into the trail. Matador was hiking the trail with us father Larry, but on day 2 Larry tweaked his knee and had to come off trail, a torn meniscus. Matador is always cracking jokes or asking the funniest questions of people. He’s usually saying exactly what I’m thinking (cursing at a long up or downhill).  Zippy is always a ball of energy and surprises you with great comebacks and her quick wit. She says she’s getting too used to Matador and I because she’s caught herself making some off color remarks to other hikers, her being so used to Matador and I talking like that.  I’ve only known these two for a couple weeks but is amazing how quickly you become fond of others on trail.