On my way out of Burney Falls campground I decided to swing by the waterfall itself (pictured). I'm glad I did. Water flows underground through porous lava rock aquifers, then joins surface water as it plunges 129 feet. The pool at the base is 22 feet deep, and directs the flow of 100 million gallons of water each day. Teddy Roosevelt supposedly called Burney Falls the eighth wonder of the world. I don't know about that, but for anyone living in California it is definitely worth a visit.
My evening hike took me along the Pit River, out past the PG&E dam, which is a pretty impressive feat of engineering worth a visit in it's own right. I made it just shy of Rock Creek by 2 miles, bringing my total miles for the day to just over 28. This worked out well, because the ridge where I stopped got better morning light, and was warmer.
I spent this morning climbing out of the Pit River area and up to the ridges that separate it from Mt. Shasta. The hill, about 2400 feet, was not bad, though some of the terrain it crossed through was mentally taxing. I went through logging zones, with all the hillside torn up with bulldozer tread. Where the forest was untouched by logging it was all dense walls of vegetation. The old growth pine allowed enough light in to support a huge variety of plants on the forest floor. Mostly there were ferns and stunted deciduous trees, but I also saw a profusion of wildflowers, including wild peas and roses. The effect was beautiful and the aromas intoxicating, but after a while without views the humidity and claustrophobia of the overgrown trail got old. It was like hiking the Jolly Green Giant's sweaty pleasure trail. I was so relieved to stop for lunch under power lines, because of the open air, that I took a picture.
Once on the ridgetops everything changed. Trails were open and cooler, and I had fantastic views of Mt. Shasta (pictured). I worked along the ridgetops, getting progressively closer to the solitary giant mountain, until I reached a ledge with a close up view (pictured). Here I stopped to rest my feet before I made the final push for the day.
A few more miles and my feet were too battered to go on. My shoes are worn out and I am down to my last pair of socks. Basically I'm wearing a cake of dirt covered with flaps of rubber. My feet do not approve. I hiked 37 miles today, which probably didn't help either. Fortunately I will be on town day after tomorrow. I have a fresh shirt and new socks, plus I should be able to get new shoes!
P.S. Lots of bear scat on and near the trail today. Here's hoping I don't get eaten tonight.
