25 MAY

I slept well but today I needed to get back  to the trail but hey I’m in a hotel so can lie in a bit longer.
At 8.30 I  tempted myself from the covers put on the coffee and walked into the shower..
Last one for a while lol, I drank my coffee and packed up the last bits. 
Okay Last day let’s have  breakfast.  I walked down the road to the “Boxcar cafe”.”
When I entered I saw Yonny and Bex a kiwi hiker who is taking the bus to flip up state.
It was good to see Yonny he’s one of the mad ones who road walked from  Cuba and only its damaged his feet mmmm really.

I ordered my breakfast it was okay not the best but it filled a hole.
Okay snail we need to get out of here
 I finished packing decided I should take the snow snows with me so took me a while to attach  them  

Okay let go my pack was stupidly heavy. Lots of food extra clothing and water that I probably  will not need.  As I marched down the road they have fired up the steam engine today so clouds of smoke fill the air.  As I was waking I was joined by another hiker Hex who was staying at the other RV Park.
He said people had better luck hitching from outside there. 
So we walked and talked, when we got there another hiker was already in position.
It was 5 course the Kiwi I met yesterday.
Do you mind if I stand with you?
Not at all snail.
Well as luck  would have it the third car that passed picked us up, I think it was dad and son going to their cabin and they were towing a trailer with a quad. They were really chatty and  interested in our hikes.
It wasn’t long until we were there. Brilliant, we both thanked them.
5 course was heading North but for me I wanted to visit  the border as I had felt cheated as we were unable to cross it as the forest was closed so I had decided to hike back the 2.5 miles to take a photo and hike back and then onwards. 
I said see you up the trail  as we both said and set off in different directions. 
I had only gone a few yards when I hit snow more of a small mound that I was able to climb over and continued on. The trail climbed but not too steeply aided by great switch backs.
But then the blown downs begun, some I can step over, some were a climb over and others are find a way around. This slowed me down as well as the numerous snow banks to climb. 
Soon I came to a open space where I could see the whole of the valley  wow simply amazing.

I pushed on climbing steadily thankfully not too steeply before dropping down into a meadow . As I passed by a small lake  pond I could hear the bullfrogs singing, i stopped to listen for a while before pushing on.
The snow and blowdowns soon became a pain and my pace slowed, over under around and the trail was now wet and very slippery , dam my sticks were stowed in my pack and I didn’t want to stop so I had to be careful. when i think the worst is over it becomes boggy and is covered in a plant that starts off looking  like chicory  but green then blooms into a tall wide plant haven’t a clue what it is .

Okay more blow downs.
And then I am here whoop whoop I drop my pack and take numerous  photos and video

I find a nice log and just and gaze. It’s so quite and peaceful ,I guzzle down a bottle of water that I didn’t need to have carried. I must have sat here for 40 minutes before hoisting my pack and heading back.
So same as before but in reverse. It took me an hour and a half to get back with the tree jumping and snow climbing . I was back at Cumbres Pass.
Whilst here I climbed up to see the station or train terminus.

I thought it looked great . It reminded me of the stations when I was a kid.
Okay snail we need to move as it was almost 3 pm .
I hadn’t planed on doing a big day so maybe I will walk until 5pm as it was a late start and the tree climbing saps my energy.
I got to the  trail and was just signing the register when Ninja appeared she’s from Germany and like most youngsters is fast.
I set off knowing she would soon catch and pass me an she did.
I like it as when they are that fast you can see them miles ahead and know which way the trail is going.. I pushed on thinking I will not see her again.
I was miles away when another hiker came the other way, It was Rats  and I’ve seen her a lot in town as she too is waiting for a box.  We chat I while before i push on
Its not long until i reach more blown downs , Some are huge and take a little time to navigate around.
I pushed on and on feeling relaxed until I began to worry about  water as I had not read the comments  so they could be dry. At that moment I arrived at a stream, perfect that will do. I dropped my pack and filled up.
I left town a little unorganised and hadn’t attached my drinking tube to my bladder so had been unable to drink normally. 
In the distance I could then see creek rushing  down the mountain and the trail appeared to follow it for a while , until I had to cross over as I climbed up the other there taking a break was Ninja.
Sweet spot I said and pushed on, but my back was feeling a little sore and so i will take a beak at the next nice spot, and maybe camp .
I pushed on but i was thirsty so when the next stream appeared I stopped, dropped my pack and sat on a great log and drank the last of my water. But i was still thirsty so topped up both bottles using my new Steripen. When it shows a smiley face, its good to drink it. Oh it tasted good and it was cold great.
Then Ninja appeared and stopped for a  chat. 
She wanted to practice her English. But couldn’t work out what  nationality I was.
I laughed I am British as she thought I may be Australian 
I told her I was from Oxford (Near) but she struggled to understand me 
I laughed again. I said I live in the country so am  bit of a carrot Cruncher
This time she laughed. 
We chatted  more and then it was time to hike .
It wasn’t long until I could see her on the other side of the mountain. F*cks she’s fast or maybe I’m slow The trail snaked down and then to my left I could see a waterfall the first one on this trail.
As Ninja  was on the other  side I was guessing that I will  need to cross this river.  Sure enough after several switch backs I was at the water’s edge.
Mm wet feet maybe but then I spied two logs further down stream, great I was across and dry feet. Once I was back on trail I was greeted  with numerous blow downs and snow. 
Fantastic I said to myself.
There was a huge tree down hanging above the trail so no climbing and I couldn’t walk under it so hands and knees.  Okay that’s down ..there were flat spots but they where surrounded by widow  makers ( Dead trees that Could fall on you).
I had a bit of clambering to do then  i emerged onto a small clearing PERFECT!!

I soon had my tent up and was so looking forward to  sleeping  in my new bag.
 I searched for a log then dragged it back to my tent I need something to sit on 
I finished off my tent, inflated my mattress then I could relax. 
I made a cuppa, cooked ramen everything tasted so good so tasty.
Okay 6.30 I climbed  into my tent.

A early night might be good.
Mileage is only 10 miles .But I started late and a early finish with lots of obstacles and lots of stopping to film and take photos so I’m Happy with ten 

Mileage  10