May 19, 2008 Pacific Crest Trail

Destination: Deep Creek Hot Springs
Miles: 25

Adrian: A record day for us! We woke up to a burned out forest. The National Forest Service has signs up suggesting hikers take a road re-route due to the Butler 2 fire. Like most hikers, we ignored the pseudo-closure. The trail was fine.

The miles flew by in hot temperatures and mainly moderate climbs and descents. The trail followed the amazing Holcomb and Deep Creeks. There were many swimming opportunities and drinking water was always around.

We arrived at the hot springs and were surprised to see about 20 people camped and lounging about. We set up our tent and went right into the first pool we saw. Rocks laid into the river next to a natural spring formed pools of 100-degree water. These are not sulphur springs. The river flows through a fault line and that is where the hot springs are flowing from the ground.

Deep Creek is a great stop on the PCT.

Kirsten: As we hiked through another burned out forest I thought a lot about how crappy, hot and downright miserable it is to travel through this section. I was feeling pretty low about it and having a "pity party" for myself when we reached Deep Creek.

Moments before we were tromping through dry, burnt chemise-covered terrain. It didn't seem like anything could live there. I had a hard time believing water was nearby.

The river or creek, as it’s dubbed, flows for miles through a deep gorge. Most of the time the trail was precariously perched high above the creek. The trail didn't meet up with the creek until hours later when we reached the Hot Springs.

We met a bunch of new hikers tonight including S.O.L., Smooth Criminal, Old Skool, Spiderwoman and Jester, who hiked out of the canyon and hitched into town so he could bring back a cake and soda to celebrate another hiker's birthday. This detour most likely took him miles and hours to complete.

Oh, I almost forgot. Locals go to the Hot Springs too. And they are really into being naked.