We’re deep into Lassen National Park, a place famous for its volcanic features. During the day, we passed a steaming vent, the smell of sulfur heavy in the air, and a boiling lake of mud. I’m sure Lassen was stunning back in the day, but burned as it is, it’s a shadow of its former self. The burns are slowly getting better though, patches of living trees populate the trail here and there. The undergrowth looks much more verdant as well.
A surprise visitor passed through during lunch and this time, it wasn’t a long lost friend. A mid sized bear strolled relaxed up to the campground picnic tables and started picking through the trash. I got to watch it for a long time. It still somehow fascinates and weirds me out that these creatures are right here, so tangible and real, even though that is how it should be.
Later in the afternoon, we swam in Lower Twin lake with Cookie and Drive Through. Probably the warmest water so far on trail. Life is good.
On one of the last climbs I got a smidge of reception and received word that Fitz had found her treasure at the halfway marker in the form of an extatic photo. She’s earned it. Come back to us soon, Fitz.
Near the end of the day, after cresting a rise, a deep green forest stretched out like a comfortable blanket over the valley. Nothing too special out here, but after multiple days in the burn area, this was like drinking cold water after having a parched throat. The worst was behind us now.
