May 31st - Bench Camp to Hwy 174

Feeling at least a little bit rejuvinated after our 30 miler the day before, we were once again up before dawn in order to beat the heat of the day. Found a cool little ramada (small picnic pavillion) off trail as described in Yogi's handbook. Ate breakfast there beside the raging deep creek.

There was so much water - we almost felt like we were back in Washington. That soon changed as we hit the trail once again. For the majority of the morning and early afternoon we were following the Deep Creek - traversing the Canyon it has created throughout the years.

Although we could see and hear the water, unfortunately we were too high to access the water - making for a hot hike.

We eventually did make it down to the creek - an area that also has hot springs. It is popular with local nudists. Tom kept saying the hot springs "are still a couple of miles away" but it was ironic that we were seeing so many people in the buff.

We were undoubtedly at the hotsprings. We found a shady spot near the water (yes, our clothes stayed on!) We cozied up near some bushes to dry off. Tom, being the observant one that he his, realized we were all nested up in poison oak. OOPS!! So we rushed around to clean off the toxic oils from our sleeping mats and moved camp.

Fortunately neither of us came down with a nasty rash. And we learned our lesson - from now on - look for poison ivy before sitting down or setting up camp!

We eventually had enough of seeing naked people who really should not be walking around in public naked and continued on our way. Made it another 30 mile day and settled in to camp near highway 174.