Today we started a little late after almost no sleep. It was hot all night and wind was so intense. Tiger Blood decided it was best for her to head back to the road and hitch to big bear since she is in rough shape. Mosey, Brianna, and myself pushed on to the whitewater river. It was gorgeous and a wonderful sight for the arid desert we’ve been in. It was a clear and cold river with a sandy bottom. A few folks I met at the underpass last night were there including Hoops, Burps, Dirty Knucks, Hard Drive, Dave, Ally, and Katie. It was really fun to be with a large group.

We breaked shortly but then moved on since the day was getting hotter. The climbs were miserable and the weather was far too hot. I vowed to get up early and hike before the sun gets too intense. It no longer feels safe to do so. We arrived and had the whole gang at mission creek where we took a 4 hour siesta. Brianna and I talked plans of bigger days starting today and Mosey was unsure because of her foot pain. We had the tentative plan of another 6 miles.

I left first and the sun was still brutal. My soaked buff around my neck and the sun umbrella seemed to do nothing. The only thing going for me was that the trail followed the creek for 6 miles. Within 30 minutes the trail became very hard to find. I was lost but then thought I found it but then realized I was on the wrong trail. I kept following footsteps only to realize I was in the wrong place again. This continued for the majority of 6 miles. When I made it to camp everyone laughed when I asked “did you also get lost 100 times?”. And then they replied that it was far more than 100.

Brianna showed up shortly after I did but Mosey didn’t. We hoped she was okay. I made a double dinner of ramen and cashew pesto pasta. I’m comfy in my tent and I can hear crickets and the creek. The air is cold and I know I’ll sleep well tonight. I’m so thankful to be out here.