Day 3 – Mt. Burney

Yesterday after hiking another 3 miles in the evening, I ended up sleeping in a “non-durable” location beside the trail. The online guide indicated a campsite at that location. There was even a photo of it. Alas no campsite. I walked around for 20 minutes looking for the slightest sign. I am not a nice person when these kind of unexpected surprises occur at the end of the day, when I am tired and hungry. With no welcoming spot anywhere, what do you choose? And what if the spot you pick is right in the middle of some crazy animal highway? Deer, coyotes and bears could be tripping over you all night. I found a spot in the open near a tree and laid out my quilt on the ground.

When (imaginary) animals attack

I am not afraid of the things that normally worry people, like needles, spiders or people with guns. I am afraid of imaginary things like vampires, zombies and ghosts. I am also leery of animals with evil intent. That is why I wear earplugs to bed on the trail. My imagination turns paranoid at night.

I fell asleep soon enough, and when I awoke each time during the night, things were quiet. But that didn’t mean that animals weren’t there, lurking – one stationed to observe me as the others plotted to rob or kill me. Anyway, I survived the night, of course.

The merciful morning

This morning I have cell service so I upload a post. This delays my departure until 6:18. What can you do? The trail is even and downhill as it drops down from the rim. I am making good time. The views are dominated by the monstrous Mt. Shasta – a volcanic behemoth that rises above the surroundings. It is a “fourteener” (altitude above 14,000 feet) that will dominate my horizon for many days.

My throat feels kind of “chunky”. When I spit it contains filaments of blood. My throat is still raw from day one. Guess it will take time to heal.

I feel much stronger today. The altitude is lower and the tread (trail condition) is flat and soft. I pass through several cattle fields with dried patties everywhere. There is tons of bear poop on the path, too. I wonder how bears and cows get along. Do they eye each other warily over the fence, or do they, bringing milk and berries, have nightly poker parties?

After two days of scarce water on the trail, I wander down to my first conventional water source – a small creek. It is so wonderful, that I take off my pack and have lunch.

Suddenly I hear my friend Jennifer behind me laughing. No, actually it’s a bird. Eight consecutive “hoo’s”starting high and ending low. Hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo. Jennifer laughs in exactly the same way. I used to think that she was the kooky one. But now that I hear her natural corollary out here, maybe my laugh is the weirder? It’s funny how exposure to the wider world challenges your assumptions.

This trail section is remarkably like the scrub forests on the Florida Trail.

Small burdens

Bugs are everywhere. (That’s a good thing.) They crawl on me at night in my bed. And I don’t mind as long as they don’t bite. They have an agenda that does not include me. Bug speed, my friend, bug speed. This one hitched a ride on the HTA (Hiker Transit Authority) for over two miles. I didn’t shoo her away. She was my only hiking companion today.

Later in the day I pass through the area around Cassel. It’s Friday, and a lot of people are out having a good time on the water. They are talking together and laughing. I feel suddenly lonely. I have not talked to a single soul all day. I am generally introverted, but I do love people. The absence of social interaction is one of the hardest things to get used to. In time, I may fall in with other hikers. It will be better then. For now though the main features of my life are beautiful vistas and terrible food!

Burney Mountain Guest Ranch

I arrive at the Burney Mountain Guest Ranch to find that it is closed! The ranch has been a popular stop along the trail. But the owners sold the place over the winter, and Bob, the new owner, is not sure he wants to continue serving hikers here. To his credit, Bob lets me take a shower, wash my clothes and get some cold drinks and food from the hiker store that is still well stocked. I volunteer to change his Guthook (trail app) information to redirect hikers away from here. I hope he changes his mind about hikers, but for now his wishes must be respected.

I am getting some much-needed liquids here. Since arriving, I have had an orange Shasta, a Dr. Pepper, a V8, a root beer, two chocolate milks, and an orange Gatorade. I still have not peed! My urinary tract must have thought I died two days ago. I tell my kidneys to knock it off and get serious down there. They get the message. When I do finally manage to pee, it is the color of copper!

Tomorrow I need to get a ride into town to buy new trekking poles. The store closed today before the driver could get here. I feel like am moving too slow, but I don’t know how I could go faster. Patience.

• June 4
• Starting mile: 1395
• Ending mile: 1408
• Daily miles: 13
• Total miles: 36
• Notable animals: a large black-striped squirrel barreling around a blind turn nearly knocked both of us off the mountain. Why do squirrels seem to have it in for me!