Stats

Start: Tent site – Mile 289.9
End: Deep Creek Hot Springs – Mile 307.9
Elevation Max: 6,046
Elevation Min: 3,513
Elevation Change: 1,354 up & 3,833 down
Average Heart Rate: 112
Walking Time: 5 hrs 38 minutes

The Walk

The wind died down at dusk and the sunset was well worth the risk. I slept really well and woke up refreshed.

But my sleeping bag was covered in water droplets. The clouds must have rolled in last night. I didn’t want to wait for the sun to dry it, so I threw it in my backpack and set off for the day. I’d lay it out to dry later.

My next stop was Deep Creek hot spring, 18 miles away. 2 miles in I met area 52 and crunch. We chatted for a few minutes and their good vibes rubbed off on me. Cool people are all over the trail.

The trail followed the creek on a brisk morning. Around noon I found a picnic table and took a break. I laid out my sleeping bag and relaxed for an hour.

A few minutes later I stopped for another 10 minutes and relaxed with some friends. Then headed off to the hot springs. I felt pretty good all day long. The hike was flat with a little down hill, a nice change of pace.

The creek turned into a river and the trail followed halfway up the gorge. It was a beautiful section of hiking.

15 hikers were sitting around the hot spring along with a handful of locals. I relaxed and soaked my feet in the hot and cool pools. The crew rolled up and we relaxed the rest of the day.

It felt good to have a short, fun day. I also saw Detour and Mounty who I met 4 days ago. We even had cupcakes for Detour’s birthday!

Then it was back to the cowboy spot by the river under a full sky of stars. Tomorrow I’m planning 20 miles to a campsite with pizza delivery.