PCT Map Miles 323.2
Miles Hiked 261.0
Elevation 3,382 feet
Miles Hiked Today 15.3
The Deep Creek hot spring was calling this morning, but I resisted the temptation, packed up and left a little before 7 AM. It was promising to be a long day. I planned to camp at a picnic area about 19 miles away.
The trail looked to be going up most of the day. That would not help me make my distance. Nevertheless, I made good time early in the day. Then my first water crossing. It wasn’t a fast moving creek, but more a pool. And it was deep. So now I have wet shoes and socks for the rest of the day. It didn’t matter a while later when I crossed another pool of water. I think my feet are now permanently wet.
As I approached my destination, I read the comments in my navigation app. For six miles, the trail travels through a state park, which includes my intended campsite. Dispersed camping is not allowed. One app commenter recounted how a local sherif kicked him out when he tried to camp where I planned to camp. So – new plan.
About 4 PM, I came out from the trail onto a road. There were two hikers there. I asked if they were going to the Joshua Inn and they were waiting for a car to take them there. I tagged along. The Joshua Inn is nothing more than a bar with a camping area. It’s not a hotel. They have sandwiches and beer and nothing much else. I paid for a campsite and shower. I setup camp and took a shower in an outdoor built shower. It didn’t make much sense to shower and then put on dirty clothes but then what the heck. It still felt good. I was set for the night.
