This morning I woke to a view that has rarely been matched here on the trail, at least as far as sunrises go. The rain had been off and on all night, but by morning the clouds had sunk into the valley below. The tops of the clouds lay just below the level of the rim where I was camped. The sun, which was just beginning to peak over the horizon, created brilliant rainbows on the dense white mass. To the south I could see Mt. Lassen, wreathed in a few remaining clouds. To the north stood Mt. Shasta, occasionally fading into its own shroud of white. I took a picture, but it doesn't do the scene justice.
Because I was up so early, and because of the rains and cool weather, I didn't need much water. The rim was mostly level or downhill, so before I knew it I was at the water cache. I still had 3 liters, though, ao I moved on. And so the longest dry stretch on the trail went by without a hitch. I reached the next water source and still had water in my bottle to spare.
There was little of consequence to note today. I did see white pelicans in one of the lakes, as well as some truly large trout. I crossed highways 299 and 89, and made great time all the way to Burney Falls (pictured). The general store was still open when I got here, so I ate a dinner of microwaved burrito, soda, and donuts. Healthy. On the plus side they had a hiker box, so I was able to get myself resupplied mostly free, which saves me both from going into Burney to get my box and from spending a lot of money here.
My phone has been dying so I am writing my blog as it charges in a wall outlet outside the store. There is still an hour of light left, and though I have gone 35 miles already, I think I will move on once my phone charges a bit. I think I'll head to Rock Creek, 5 miles further on. That will make getting to Castella a bit more convenient.
