Day 35: Stretch Those Legs!

4/20/20, mile: 314, elevation: 2,992 ft.

I struggled with condensation….again. And I also had my first critter encounter overnight. It seems that a racoon wanted what was mine, but only got to get a feel of my fuel cannister. When he dropped it I woke up. I also had noticed that one of my shoes was misplaced. These items were inside my closed vestibule, so the little shit was reaching under trying to get goodies. I should leave him my T.P. bag….

Because of my elevation in relation to the surrounding canyon walls, I got some decent early sun to help dry the rainfly while I continued to pack. I went easy on breakfast (no oatmeal) and had two cups of coffe instead. Today was a day to stretch my legs.

With cool weather, a light-ish pack and a trail going mostly downhill at a gentle gradient and following a river, I was going to see what I could do. Like my Ducati at home, sometimes it just needs to streeeetch out and breath. Water sources were plentiful, and soon enough I arrived at the (in)famous Deep Creek Hot Springs. Being a Monday, it must mean the nudists and freaks are back at work?!….Well, no weird stories. Everyone was covered, no screaming or weird acid trips, just some nice people I met as we soaked in hot pools. It was good to get the grime off of my body and rest a little. I still had a few miles to go. After dunking, drinking (water!) and eating, it was time to head out. From here on out, the trail got bleaker and bleaker as it got closer to the outlet at Mojave Forks Dam. This is on the southern edge of the Mojave Desert proper, and it’s warm (during a cool spell, mind you). I can’t wait to Google for more info on this dam and it’s purpose.

Soon after the dam, the trail crosses what’s left of the raging torrent (after some is diverted) and then follows another tributary. I’m about at my distance limit (meaning it’s close to 4pm and my mind/body want to nest), but nothing seems good. I continue on, uphill, towards the mountains again….not what I want/need at this time. Why? Water sources are further apart, camping spaces are almost nill (the trail traverses the hillsides, no big enough areas to pitch the tent) and…..WIND. Yeah, deserts are good for that, especially in the afternoons and evenings. I give up and walk the mile back to the tributary and find a not-so-spectacular spot, but it’s near water. And it turns out it’s near a wind tunnel. And since this area is also a haven for locals to hang out, I got to hear a party downstream go on for a couple of hours. At least the music they played wasn’t horrible. And once they quieted down, the frog song was soothing. Reminded me a lot of Lower American River on a summer’s eve.

Savior out.