May 4, Day 35, km 525
After 5 days in the wilderness, today’s news will be brief. More later, after we've reached Wrightwood in 2 or 3 days.
Meanwhile, we've spent the last 2 days hiking along the slopes of Deep Creek Canyon. The canyon's known for its famous hot springs, a real oasis we enjoyed both in the evening and the following morning. Water from hot springs flows into small stone basins. The springs are also popular with day tourists from Los Angeles. The afternoon before, Olli had lost his sleeping mat, which had fallen from his backpack; this meant he had to retrace his steps - 8 kilometers - before finding it in the bushes. He jogged for most of the 16 kilometers, during which time Sabine took down the tent, packed up the backpacks, and prepared a second breakfast (bread, cheese, sweet sandwich spreads). Thus Olli covered nearly 50 km in one day, albeit 16 of these without having to lug a backback. Sabine's tally is 30 km. Comes to 30 km each on the trail to Canada.
Hiked to Lake Silverwood yesterday, 32 kilometers along the slopes of a gigantic valley - crossing the 500-kilometer mark along the way! During the night, Olli's mat developed a leak (we located it by observing the air bubbles in the lake), which we fixed in the morning with our patch kit. After doing some laundry, we took a bath in the lake, which wasn't too cold. Sabine seems to be managing ok with her new "clean-up haircut," as veteran Brian the Barber from Big Bear called it.
Meanwhile, things are getting crowded here. It's Memorial Day, a holiday commemorating those who have died while serving the US armed forces, so many people like to visit the local recreational areas.
(NOTA BENE: Memorial day ist am 27.5.2019. ?)
We're about to set off again; in 25 kilometers we'll pass an interstate ... and perhaps a McDonald's?
More later, after we arrive in Wrightwood.
Pictures