July 10

1333-1368

In the morning we see a hiker camped right on a dirt road. It is a tough decision- do you camp where dead trees can fall on you with the slightest gust of wind or do you risk being run over by a car?

We are lined up for a high mileage day. The trail crosses Lassen Volcanic National Park, where bear canisters are required to camp. To stay in compliance with these rules, we will need to hike 33 miles to camp outside of the park boundaries.

Mount Lassen is the Southernmost Cascade volcano, and even getting a glimpse of it makes us feel at home. The trail is much of the same- burnt forest with a lot of sun exposure.

Occasionally we do get a glimpse of volcanic activity. We walk by a steaming geyser and a bubbling turquoise lake.

By mid day my lower legs erupt in a painful and itchy heat rash.

Are we walking through purgatory?

We douse ourselves in every stream that we come across.

As night falls we cross the boundary of the national park, but there are hundreds of standing dead trees around any possible campsite.

We continue an additional 2 miles to the first cleared site. It is our biggest day yet, 35 miles.