I wake up earlier than normal at 4:45 to see the sunrise over the lake. It’s just light enough to see without a head lamp.

Professor heads out and I follow suite. Toast and Ice Age are up just as I leave camp. There’s a short climb to a stunning view of the North China Wall.

Professor and I leap frog all morning. I’m slow and take lots of photos.

We run into two gentleman backpacking. One of them has a daughter that did the PCT! We talk about how remote this area is. I look at my maps and yeah, wow, nothing for miles and miles. Pretty neat. They also tell me that there are no power tools allowed in this forest. The amount of cleared logs through this section is a marvel. Imagine using only hand tools, an axe or saw to clear miles and miles of dead trees off trail! Just incredible.

We break for lunch. The trail descends down into a burn section. I hike ahead while Professor takes a break.

I pick a point on the map where the trail crosses a larger stream to filter water and take my own break. I start to day dream about rinsing my hair in the cold water. Oooh it’s going to feel so nice! It gets hot in the exposed burn sections!

Right as I make the last turn down to the water a dog starts barking at me. I see three angry golden retrievers across the bank. One of them starts running at me. Ah geez. I talk as soothing and non threatening as possible and turn away, guarding myself with my trecking poles. A man calls the dog back, “ I don’t know what he’s barking at”

Me. The dog is barking at me sir.

The man and his three dogs sit on the opposite bank of the stream glaring at me. There’s no other place to cross. I ask if it’s okay for me to go by his dogs. He assures me they’re nice. I wade across, the dogs growl but I make it past and I keep hiking. Ack I didn’t stop for water, and so much for taking a break! I check my maps, it’s only 2.7 miles to the next water. I’m lucky the trees are back and I’m not in a burn section, yay shade!

It’s hard hiking though, especially with no water. I try to keep my mouth shut so it doesn’t dry out. So thirsty 💦

I finally make it to the next water, Miner’s Creak and take a quick break. I eat some of the snacks Lua and Elis helped me pick out at Mitsuwa.

Thank you Lua and Elis!

It’s only 6 more miles to the campsite The Professor and I agreed on. I power hike on, refreshed by the water and snacks. I see some baby ptarmigans! They are super cute and must be young because they trip and fall over themselves when they try to run to their mom.

The last mile my left knee cap gets super tender and I have to slow down. It feels like it’s taking forever for me to get to this camp site. I try not to check my maps, but end up looking twice. 0.8 miles?! 0.4 miles?! This is the longest mile ever! haha

(You can tell I’m tired because I took no photos through this section)

I finally make it to the site. It’s a cute ranger cabin next to a waterfall. I’m the first one there so I lay down my tent and dibs a spot for The Professor with my trecking poles. I filter water and start to make dinner right when Professor joins. It’s a nice little spot!

I wonder if we’ll see Ice Age and Toast.

We hang our food bags in a big tree. My tent spot is super flat and cozy. I’m really looking forward to getting some shut eye tonight.