New Mantra and a King Snake

April 24, 2023 Day 24

Mile 406.2-428.3 (22.1 miles)

Henry woke up with a bad sunburn from yesterday. Because he had switched shirts to his new thrifted one, he no longer had sleeves. We hiked separately for most of the morning. The gnats were so bad again and instead of a positive mantra, my mantra became “Fuck. This.” With every step. Took minimal breaks at water source because I couldn’t stand them.

We did, however, hike in some trees today which was a really nice break from our usual exposure. The views from the ridge line were absolutely beautiful.

We also saw a beautiful King Snake in the brush just a few miles before camp!

Stopped at a water source to snack and fill up. It was a weirdly cloudy, sulphuric spring and when we stuck a stick in it, we were surprised to find it was almost 4 feet deep.

The strange sulphuric fairy spring

We almost went the entire day without seeing a soul and it was feeling very remote, but we finally passed by another hiker coming the other direction about a mile before we set up camp.

We’re set up in a really nice flat spot in some pine trees.