The Wonderland Journal

Miles hiked: 23.9

Mile marker: 1450.1

Total ascent: 4700 ft

Total descent: 2100 ft

We’re moving at 5 o’clock. Way too early. I’m exhausted as I pack my things. We start the hike in the cool of the day, and soon it gets warm. 

The bushes become so thick that I shield my head with my arms. These are thick manzanitas that need to be chopped down. I’m reminded of a school child who gets whacked on the hand with a stick when they break rules, but the whips are just on my shins. 

Thick and sharp. 

Ouch. 

We get to our next water source. A young guy avidly tells us his opinions on hikers maintaining the trail. 

“If everyone carried a pair of hedge trimmers then they could just snip three branches and we could maintain the trail. Or just leave it at the trailhead.”

I appreciate the effort, and agree we could do something about it. We got lost (I got lost, that is) and it would be much easier if everyone did a little trail maintenance along the way. 

We have lunch with a view of Mount Shasta in a windy nook in between two trees. 

I spend the next few hours listening to my Harry Potter book, thinking about the future, and trying to plan my life out, which only seems to stress me out as I can’t put all the puzzle pieces together. 

Maybe I just shouldn’t think so much. 

Rafiki finds a beautiful blue flower that looks like a tall tea cup. 

We camp as the sun sets and head to bed.

Another long day!