Day 30, May 17: Mile 418 to 440

• Start: Mile 417.5

• End: Mile 440.3

• Miles: 22.8

• Ascent: 3256 | Descent: 5817

I hiked out before sunrise to try to beat some heat. After a quick stop at the Mill Creek Fire Station, where there were bathrooms and a water spigot, I hiked quickly (for once) towards the spot we were eyeing for a midday siesta. I had a nice little chat with a talkative Western Scrub Jay sitting in a tree near the trail.

The miles felt easy for the most part because my mind was elsewhere. Eventually Amazon (who had left camp later) passed me, but I caught her shortly after at a water source. A girl named Bobcat was also there and we chatted a bit while Amazon climbed up the ravine to get water. I decided to not get any extra water as another ranger station was only 4 downhill miles ahead and I thought I could make it on the 2 liters I had.

I made it to the ranger station just fine with the 2 liters, after passing through the most beautiful hillside bursting with pink and purple flowers. I think some of the purple flowers were lupine, but I’m not sure about the rest.

The ranger station was a great siesta spot with lots of shady areas to lay down in, and water jugs provided by the caretaker. I had hiked 18 miles by 1pm! Whew.

Amazon continued on a half hour earlier than G and me. He and I left together and hiked the the four miles together to the campsite in a peaceful, dry riverbed. The three of us had a relaxed dinner before going to bed early.