Highway 173 - Mile 314.6 - 5/20

Nothing short of an amazing day, it's days like today which makes the PCT a fantastic experience. It a late start from the gazebo and hiked on a desert ridge overlooking Deep Creek all morning until around 10:30 where I stopped at the hot springs for the next five hours. The clothing optional hot springs and swimming hole was packed with hikers and locals hanging around in the water enjoying the day. Took a quick dip then a nap and awoke to a familiar face, Busted Magic, a girl who I hiked around before getting off the trail who also took time off. A few minutes later a couple, Carpenter and Creeper showed up who I also met before taking time off so it was nice to spend the afternoon with old familiar faces. Did some rock jumping and some rope swinging to cool off in the desert sun and hiked out of the hot springs. Made it five miles to the Mojave spillway before losing the trail briefly in the sand only to find it a couple minutes later. About a mile or two after around the highway was some trail magic dinner, hot dogs potato salad baked beans and soda from three schoolteachers who section hike the PCT. We chatted and d the company and kindness for quite a while. I made it another half mike or so before calling it a night watching the sun set over the ridge and watching the bats flying overhead. Another tough day...someone has to do it though.