Mile 786.6
Elevation 1,014
Miles Hiked 16.3
Still cold from the night before, I left the last shelter wearing my fleece for warmth. As the morning progressed and I hiked down from the high altitude, the weather moderated; although it was still windy.
I made good time due to the terrain most of which was downhill. I did have one encounter with a large snake. I was hiking fast and didn’t even see it until I almost stepped on the guy. I don’t know much about snakes, so I didn’t go back to bother it other than take a picture. Later, another hiker told me it looked like a rat snake. All I know is that it was at least four feet long and black.
I arrived at the shelter around 4:00 PM and no one was there. A creek was right beside the shelter, so I took the opportunity to wash some of my clothes. Having done that and eaten dinner, I made it an early night. In the end, it was just me and one other hiker sharing the shelter.
