Day 8 - Wednesday, May 5

Tenting near a cliff (mile 149.9). Walked 16.9 miles today.

Slept really well last night (slept in "late") and we were on the trail by 6:45 am. The first few miles were mostly downhill until Tule Spring. The water source was a little sketchy, but I got a liter in case it's needed. It was pretty hot out and the uphill climb didn't make it any easier.

About 10:30, I came across my first rattlesnake of the trail. It was laying across the trail. I spotted it from about 10 feet away and it quickly began rattling its tail and then slithered off the trail into some rocks before I could get some pictures

Continued on through the heat and finally reached Mary's Place about 11:30. Mary set up this hiker 'oasis' right off the trail with a great water cache, a little free library, and some picnic tables

Immediately downed a liter of water and then hung out there with Allie for a bit. Emily turned up a little later and then Allie's friend Katie showed up. We all ate lunch and stretched and I hit the trail again about 1:30. A gradual uphill, followed by a gradual downhill, followed by a steep uphill brought me to a nice view and the campsite all of us were planning on staying at tonight.  I stopped hiking around 3:30 and I dislike stopping that early, but it works with the schedule.

Ate some dinner and others showed up. Lost and Found and Popcorn (a hiker from the Czech Republic) hiked back up to us from the Cafe where they had been hanging out all afternoon, bragging about how good the burgers were... There are a total of 7 of us here in two official campsites. Tad and I are squeezed into a slot, Allie, Katie, and Lost and Found are in the other spot. Popcorn found a relatively flat spot on the side of the trail, and Emily found an area about 200 feet up the trail just big enough for her tent.

Crowded, but breakfast in the morning should be good!