July 31st - Butcher Knife Creek to Girard Ridge Spur

We have finally come to terms with the fact that we are not going to be able to make it all the way to Canada this year. Trying to bust our butts is really putting a toll on us - especially in the heat. We are in need of some R&R. We are glad we live in Washington though - it would make it much easier to finish up next year. Hopefully we should be able to make it at least to Snoqualmie Pass. So... we are walking home essentially.

Today the heat and mugginess was incessant once again. We were back in the trees with overgrown trail. Poison oak was everywhere! Luckily we did pass a couple of creeks so we had plenty of water and could soak our hats/shirts with cold water. Made it to Squaw Valley Creek for dinner - it was a lovely spot with a rocky shelf where we could cook and sit with our feet in the cool water. Ahhh... it felt so good.

Finished u the night taking a shortcut (avoiding about 3 miles of pointless trail) and camped in a clear cut area. Although the fact that it was a clearcut was depressing, the treeless view was outstanding. Fell asleep to sunset on Castle Crags and Mt. Shasta.

~Tori.