Gimme the Good Earth III

[Intrinsic]

Good Mourning Caribou!

Slept in till the sun was well up, up enough to set up the solar panel.

Back on the wildflower lined trail. Pretty. Life's good.

Beauty Lake, and a nice campsite with a view, Pity I didn't make it this far last night.

Posey lake

End of trail for me, Filled up with water, smoked a bowl then took a needed bath…

[Intrinsic]

First time using the UV Steripen on my drinking water.

Then charged it back up at lunch, gotta luv it!

Ironically or coincidental, left the trail at a rare tail sign. I am heading cross-country east back into the Park.

Because of the thick forest, it would be easy to get turned around; my trusty compass to the rescue. Then it was just finding the little lakes and ponds and using 'em as landmarks. I live for this!

The first lake was where it was suppose to be. Mostly I could not see these tree-lined ponds till right on top of 'em. What a great high when they're there!

[Intrinsic]

babbling, stoned and giddy on the mourning hike ..

[bentech]

did you find much of a use trail in the direction you were going?

[Intrinsic]

in the cross country, nope! No trash , no fire rings or any evidence humans passed this way.
It was cherry!!!

[Intrinsic]

Passed from one pond to another. Some shallow, one deep, none had names

All of 'em had ducks.

The way.. kinda of flat-ish lot of trees, went around black Cinder Cone, couldn't see the top for the trees.

[Intrinsic]

The sometimes carpets of Manzanita (a low hardwood shrub) was the only rough part. Also the pic above also shows Bonet peak, an obscure volcanic butte, that I could finally use as a distanant landmark.

The route was much easier then anticipated and reached my planned camp relatively quick. One of two lakes that actually had a name, Island Lake, sorta shallow, but pretty and secluded.
Oh well an early day; Oh well I have weed and a lighter. Did a lot of reading too. It was a great camp!

Island Lake and Bonte peak.

Camp with a view.

Sterilizing the water with the steripen again, unknown to me this would be the last time I use/needed it.

Solar charged everything up and then used the xtra sun power to get an elevation/GPS fix with the phone, first time ever doing this beyond testing the app for this trip. It only verified what I knew, after all there's Bonte peak right there, duh!
Showing elevation of 7,222 feet.

Sunset … mellow .. sweet .. and not lost.

[bentech]

is it true it illegal to cut or collect Manzanita in California?
I don't know their season up there...

https://honest-food.net/manzanita-berries-edible/

[Jesús Malverde]

Amazing variety of landscapes you've chronicled here. Just gorgeous.

[Intrinsic]

There's like 40 odd species of Manzanita in Cali alone. Yeah ben, it suppose to be a protected plant in cali, but i never heard it enforced, After all i have lots of manzanita on my property and i cut it back all the time. And as ya move up the northern coast ranges, there is Madrone which is essential a manzanita that made it to a real tree. Now Madorne berries are awesome eating!!

[bentech]

http://www.leightonphotography.com/blog ... c-madrone/

exoticmanzanita.com

https://www.facebook.com/ManzaSoul/

I guess the tea you make from their bark is worth it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDbaIfphdq4

[Intrinsic]

Next day, mourning the lake and blue skies. Finished the cross country through a thick forest of old growth Red Fir, especially beautiful after hiking through the clear-cut logging in the beginning, Just cherry!

A glimpse of Lassen through the trees

Walked couple miles of dirt road ending at Juniper Lake.
Juniper Lake and Lassen.

Left on a Trail along side of Juniper lake.

Came out again on a dead end dirt road this time ending in Warner Valley and Drakesbad Resort, where they're holding my second resupply package, Which the owners held at no charge and a free hot shower fed by hot springs, cool people.

[Intrinsic]

Stopped first in the meadow to catch butterflies with some kids. Too much fun!

The white one is an albino tortoiseshell butterfly, apparently about a small percentage of 'em are white, A Darwinism thing.

Left my pack at the Drakesbad and took the rest of the day off exploring the two geothermal areas near by,

Boiling Springs Lake, not boiling itself but way to hot (and muddy) to go in. And Devil's Kitchen

[Intrinsic]

Here is a short vid i complied. i had fun making it, hope y'all enjoy it too.

Had a great time at the Drakesbad. The PCT also passes by the resort and I had a great time with some of the thu hikers too. I was very reluctant to leave.

[Intrinsic]

But back on the trail the scenery changed that.

Passed a series of cascades and falls following Kings creek up.

To Kings Meadow

Pussy willow

and a lupine lined trail .. Sweeeet!! Puts a spring in one's step. Life's good.

[Jesús Malverde]

Paradise found.