DAY 76, Sat.July 12: on my way to Castella, CA

Yeah! I have cell service. Shirley and I talked at 1pm today. I filled her in on the scenary I have enjoyed for the past several days, namely Mt. Shasta. Mt. Shasta is a huge volcano (the second largest mountain in the Cascade Range) and has dominated the view from the trail for miles. It seems that the trail has wound around the base of the mountain for 75 or 100 miles - yet we have not climbed it. Mt. Shasta is only 40 (road) miles from the California / Oregon state line.

This morning was cool and not too long after breaking camp, I came across a super guy named Dave who was fly fishing. Immediately, he offered me a "cold" pepsi, "cold" yogurt and yummy danish pastries. What a way to enjoy the morning - thank you Dave!

I'm heading out toward Castella where I will be picking up another "care" package and taking a well-needed zero day in Dunsmuir, CA. I hear there are several restaurants there. Food, showers, laundry, food!
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 75, Fri.Jul.11 31.3 mi.day: TOTAL 1,475 miles

Finally got through to my baby - 18 miles out of McArthur-Burney Falls State Park. We talked for a long time catching up on all the news from home and from the trail. Then later, I met two hikers, Free and Easy Going, who later left a note on the trail telling me where they found COLD water - less than 1/2 mile east of the trial at a junction of two roads at Deadman Creek. It was sooooo good. There is nothing better than a drink of COLD water straight from a mountain stream. Hiked on to Ash Camp (Coordinates: N 40 deg.07.018', W 123 deg 03.669') where I bedded down for the night. Today has been a great day for walking.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard

DAY 73, Weds., Jul 9, 34.5 mi.day: TOTAL 1412.2: DAY 74, Thurs. Jul 10, 32.5 mile day: TOTAL 1444.7

My coordinates Weds. night July 9 were N.40 deg. 45.322', W 121 deg.23.192' at mile 1389. I have tried to call Shirley several times but cell service is one of the challenges of this hike. I found a camp site (although not a real great spot), but fairly comfortable and dry, in a shallow depression near a dry-creek gully. I am still walking on soft, powdery terrain - it's like walking on a sandy beach where you have to lift up your foot before you can take a step. I'm more comfortable walking on snow than this stuff.

Thurs., July 10: Came into Burney Falls State Park where I picked up a mail drop from Shirley and was happy to get the food stuffs she had sent me. This park features the beautiful 129-foot Burney Falls. As so many other water falls in the Cascade mountain range, the water comes from underground springs which flow into a lake (Lake Britton) and then becomes a raging, majestic falls. I've seen and crossed so many lakes you would think they would become mundane - not so. Each one is so beautiful and unique. I am still enjoying the views. Hope to update this post with photos soon. No cell service.
Keep hiking,
Greybeard