Start point

Deep Creek Hot Springs, mile 307.9

End point

Mesa Campground Hike and Bike sites, mile 328.1

Miles hiked

20.2 on trail, 1 off

Wilderness area

Silver wood Lake State Recreation Area

The day on trail

A zero was exactly what I needed. My legs feel amazing, my feet feel a lot better (despite a cut on my left pinky toe from slipping in the springs), and my spirit is rejuvenated.

There was one really discouraging part yesterday. A hiker started putting the Good Jew test against me. It’s a common left wing thing where a Jew is grilled on their stance on the conflict in the Middle East before they’re viewed as a minority worthy of acceptance. It’s really messed up, and I hate it. And to have that thrown at me by another hiker when I’m just trying to decompress was really jarring and made me feel a lot less safe.

This hiker also talked about how he pooped in a river (ew) which completely violates LNT (leave no trace) principles. He’s from England, which of course had the Big Stink of 1858 where the River Thames overflowed with sewage. So I want to change his name from Leopard to Big Stink. He also shamed me for not hiking 23+ miles every day and for having a pack larger than his.

Ultimately, I know it tells me more about him than it does me. At the same time, it’s still discouraging to have some no-name piece of garbage hiker imply “you’re inferior to me” especially after throwing antisemitic bullshit out at me.

People are the best part of this trip and the worst.

Time to hike, though. I’m planning a 20 miles day to get to a campsite where pizza can be delivered! I want some calories I don’t have to cook! The campsite is called Mesa Campground Hike and Bike Camp and it’s in the Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area. It’s 20+ miles of mostly downhill and I’m stoked for my first official 20 miler!

The view as I left the springs. There are about 4 pools nestled into the rock outcropping just right of the center of the photo.

There was this beautiful bridge to cross.

And a sign (which, honestly, I ignored) as I left the Deep Creek Hot Springs recreation area.

Wildflowers were abundant, including this lupine and the yellow domed one I don’t know. Plus blankets of fiddlenecks.

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And I’ve started to fall for these poppy bushes. They’re so bright and happy and thick with color and texture. The pistils have these delicate, gossamer tendrils which I can’t get enough of.

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Soon enough, I don’t remember who I heard it from, but there was a rumor of trail magic at campgrounds near my destination. A guy is grilling burgers until 6pm for hikers.

Okay. Time to hike. I already wanted to get in early enough to order pizza. Now I can get a burger. If the burger isn’t filling enough I can cook dinner or still order pizza and wings. It’s a perfect plan!

I get hiking. And, frankly, I was already going at a good clip.

I saw this caterpillar nest.

And these power lines in the distance which the trail ran all-but-parallel to.

My happy, tired, hiking face.

There was this stone dam and concrete spillway approaching the lake area.

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You could see the opposite sides of both a few miles later, after you went around to the other side of the lake.

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Then, there it was! Trail magic signs!

I caught up to Journeyman, Mantis, Pinacolada, Sinead, and a few others. Mo and Ed were grilling burgers, distributing beverages that weren’t supposed to be consumed there and were eagerly accepted (yes, also by me), and giving out chips and fresh fruit.

Lots of hikers there didn’t make it into the photo.

Afterwards, still famished, I went and shared a campsite with Sinead, Piñacolada, and Queenie. I ordered pizza (anchovies, red onion, artichoke hearts) and buffalo wings, and cowboy camped with a happy, full belly.

I’m really excited I got my first grilled trail magic experience. It was so exciting and fulfilling to chat with Ed and Mo about their short PCT experiences and hang out with a bunch of hikers.