The day began with probably the most beautiful sunrise I have ever seen. We rose before the sun was up and as we packed up we watched the sky turn a fiery pink and orange over Mt. Baden-Powell. Meanwhile, the sea of fog (pictured) hung on a backdrop of purple in the early morning light.
The first six miles flew by. Pockets and I hike fast and hard. We soon reached Islip junction and, though my readings of the map suggested we should be heading uphill, the trail went steeply downhill. I figured I must have gotten the contour lines reversed, but it still nagged at me. We descended a river canyon along a rocky trail that was often obliterated by rock slides. At the bottom we stopped for lunch, and I got out my map to check our progress. I discovered we had taken a side trail down 2200 feet in elevation! As it turns out, this is a new detour for the PCT. Apparently there is a species of frog that is endangered, that lives along the PCT. Accordingly, the trail has been moved. Of course that meant 2200 feet down, an extra 14 miles of hiking through canyon-like country (pictured), and 2200 feet back up (pictured).
By the end of our 26 mile day we were exhausted and ready for a much needed rest. And you know what? Those damned frogs never once thanked us for our sacrifice. I mean, say I were driving down the road and found you laying there, mortally wounded. You would say "so sorry for the inconvenience, could you possibly go around?" And I would go to the trouble of driving around you, because I'm nice. And you would probably thank me and offer me a gift card to the Olive Garden, or maybe one of those cats in asian restaurants that waves (though please make it the waving cat, since that is much more likely to actually get used). I've been in camp for hours and not one damn frog has shown up to thank me for the 14 extra miles I hiked to save their species. Rude.
Anyway, we're camped by the river, and I am listening to the soothing sound of rushing water, as my feet slowly stop bitching. I had enough daylight to read a little Muir, which makes me wish I had his eloquence in describing the scenery of the day to you.
