Caleb got up early to drop Trailer Park and Rachel back on Coxey Rd. where they will hike mostly west and meet us in two days at Silverwood Lake. When he returns and says my name, it wakes me and Ravi. I will drop him near Doble Camp at 8 so he’s not missing miles. He’s worried about Kaito finding a ride from the hostel with his language barrier but Ravi got picked up by someone who spoke Spanish and he’s fine.

I get gas on the way back to camp for the others, thinking I’ll save time, but it turns out the northern route (through Lucerne Valley) is faster than driving through Crestline to get Gert, Jessi, and me to the section of PCT we will hike. It would have been great to start at least an hour or two sooner but not everyone was on the same schedule.

Caleb drops us off at Mile 314.3 and we plan to hike six miles to the hot springs, where we hope to see Trailer Park and Rachel. Jessi takes her shoes off for the water crossing. Forty minutes in, we see a snake and I’m unsure if we spooked it from eating the lizard or if it was already in a hurry. The trees down below, as we climb higher, are enticing.

Jessi makes a jump for the shade and I know she’s hot, but she’s also wearing the least, carrying the least, and coming from elevation, so we press on in the crushing late morning heat. We stop for water, but it’s evaporating from our hoses and bottles before we can consume enough, and though Gert is ever positive, I make the decision to turn around at two miles.

We climb up the sand of the first shade tree and Gert pours water on Jessi while we have a snack. Gert and I will make another dry crossing over the stream while Jessi hands over her phone and gets in. The walk back is in better spirits knowing we’ll be out of the heat soon. I’m glad we’re not the only ones who realize how crazy it is to subject ourselves to these conditions, daily.

Caleb is tracking me and will be there waiting when we return at 1pm. He drives us to the day use area because site 37 is in full sun. We celebrate with oatmeal cookie ice cream sandwiches and cold drinks before the three of them jump in the lake. I’m able to get almost to my knees in algae that smells like fish farts. We set up our tents practically in another site, so we switched to site 38.

I’m ready for sleep and attempt to do so at 530 but the tent is in the warm light and I get too sweaty inside. I try opening the doors and lying down, but that doesn’t work either. I joined the table for dinner and Gert gave me his spicy rice and made another meal, even though that’s what Caleb was in the process of doing. I’m grateful to be taken care of out here and say hi to the neighbor’s dog when it comes over. As soon as there is a sliver of darkness on the tent, I climb in.