8/12/10

We slept well in our makeshift camp in the middle of thee trail. We set out pretty early for a nice, roaded downhill stroll to the McCloud River. It was some of the prettiest blue water we've seen on the whole trip. Pictures do it no justice, we walked another couple of miles and had lunch before we started to climb. We pigged out trying to get rid of some of our food before we headed into town. It was a nice gentle climb and we took a long break at the top. We met "El Presidente" and he talked for a while with us. He said that he'd saw a huge mountain lion the night before. We headed down the mountain and Kristi said that she didn't feel so well. I think she had gotten a little dehydrated. Planned to camp at the river but there were no flat spots big enough. El Presidente said that he saw four bears on the way down the hill, we were only ten minutes behind him, so we were either lucky or not lucky, I don't know. Climbed a little ways up to the logging site and found a nice spot in the middle of some white pines. Had a good dinner of couscous and slept well knowing that town was not far away. -CM