Krystal's Trail Journal: July 5, 2007

Today was beautiful but hot! We left camp around 8:30 and it was already scorching! Sad to leave our peaceful solitary lake on the mountain, but we had a wonderful stay -- warm evening breezes, Glenn caught our first trout -- a beautiful red-striped one which made for a filling meal! We even saw a coyote & bear tracks -- luckily no bear sightings yet! We hang our food every night and hope for the best...so far we've been fine.

Oh ya, from Raymond Lake we could see Lake Tahoe's fireworks in the distance!

Today we hiked about 15 miles. It was a pleasant hike through forests & meadows, meandering up & around mountains, over bubbling creeks from melted snow -- all pretty mellow hiking until our 1000 ft climb to Noble Lake -- a great view, light rain & wind eased the climb with time left for a gourmet meal of noodles & chicken in tomato sauce & quesadillas! Yum, plus time for painting right before the sunset -- yay!

"View from Noble Lake" July 5, 2007

The last few days we've been hiking most of the day, so by the time we set up our tarp tent, filter water, cook dinner & wash-up, there is often no more time for painting or writing. Sometimes reading or star gazing, which is nice -- I think Draco the dragon is my new favorite constellation, besides Sagittarius (looks like a teapot), which is home to a glimpse of "downtown Milky Way."

There's a slight breeze, Nobel Lake Creek is softly bubbling in the background, and I sense the stars coming to life outside our tarp (pitched on slightly slanted ground this evening). Early bedtime tonight -- we've got to get up early to try & beat the heat & hike the next 16 mi. to Boulder Lake.

The temperature right now is perfect. I'm glad I'm safe in my little bug net tent where mosquitoes have no access to my flesh! Bonne nuit!