June 21, 2016

Our day began with a climb back out of Warner Valley. This side of the valley, however, was where all the cool volcanic features were. We started by passing the steaming streams running down from the hot springs to the Drakesbad pool.

Once we had gotten up on the ridge we passed the Boiling Springs Lake. The steam over the lake was emphasized by the chill morning air and it was quite an impressive site made more intense by the signs scattered around warning of unlawful trespass closer to the lake and the risk of breaking through the thin crust over the lakes edge and boiling to death. Wowzers.

A mile later we reached the junction for Terminal Geyser. We had heard from nobos that it wasn't a real geyser but still worth checking out so we did the third of a mile side trail to check it out. It seemed to be just a larger than average hot spring that happened to be especially active with its bubbling.

The rest of the morning was less exciting as we crisscrossed land owned by a number of private logging companies, occasionally dipping back into national forest for a mile or so. It was hot and humid and the logging had removed much of the shade that would have cooled us on that section. Finally we arrived at the highway leading into Chester.

There was a wealth of literature in a waterproof box maintained by the trail angel Piper's Mom. She gave rides into town but was unfortunately for us away at a graduation until today. I gave her a text anyway on the off chance she was around and lo and behold she responded immediately saying she would be there soon!

A couple we had met a few miles earlier arrived and all of us climbed in the minivan when Piper's Mom arrived. She really is amazing, greeting us with cold sodas and offering advice on the best places to take care of our town business as we rode in.

She dropped Rickets and I off at the Mexican restaurant and told us where to meet her the next day for a ride back out if we needed one. We had a late lunch there and then got started on town errands. The overnight delivery specified for Rickets package had fallen short of that it turned out but fortunately Chester had a real grocery store. We hung out at a gas station taking the opportunity to call loved ones in different time zones before heading over to the store. For both of us, we had way oversupplied in Burney and barely needed to buy anything here. Then down to one of the RV parks in town to sleep on the lawn.