Day #15 Hot Spring & Bonfire

High Sierra Trail Part 4/8 – from Moraine Lake to Kern Hot Spring (6.3 Miles)

It‘s Monday! I‘m not having a blue Monday at all – although my feet hurt really bad again. I hope the long rest, a good stretching and the hot spring will ease the pain. Hot spring?

Let‘s start where we left it. My daily routine of setting up camp, packing down and doing other errands is becoming faster and more efficient. I‘m not in a particular hurry but hiking so many miles every day requires a certain discipline.

The trail went down into the valley of Kern River, a strong, broad stream formed by lots of smaller creeks. The surroundings looked like out of Jurassic Park, lots of ferns and huge fallen trees. I met my second rattlesnake and discovered that I can run quite fast with 55 pounds on my back. Another snake (a black one who moved through water – so cool!) showed up and grey squirrels too.

Relaxing at Kern Hot Spring was a highlight. It’s a natural hot spring that flows into a small tub made of stone, next to ice-cold Kern river. Many generations of hikers carved their names into the wooden planks around it. I met another friendly Californian hiker and while floating in the hot tub together I learned that some people get their food up by renting pack mules – very smart!

Lunch consisted of peanutbutter mixed with jelly and cornflakes and a kool aid melon drink. Food tastes so good when you worked out the whole day – when your body craves it, rather than eating out of boredom or routine.

I took a long power nap and started doing errands afterwards (camping is always work… MsP – if you read this, you will think back about our „glamping“ adventure 😜 – this is even worse and I can‘t escape it for another three weeks) – such as doing laundry, filtering water, collecting firewood and cleaning stuff.

As soon as I got the fire going, I started thinking a lot about my life and what I want to do in the future. I start to feel more calm and confident every day – hiking helps clearing the mind from stress and with that one can start making solid decisions.

I‘m also learning to appreciate things that seem normal or always available at home or in cities. A shower, clean clothes, water from the tap, electricity, a hot meal. In the backcountry, you have to work for it.