July 23 - All's Well That Ends Well

July 23 - All's Well That Ends Well

Today's hike was another hot one that ended by going uphill for five miles to get to Jefferson Park, a scenic area just below Mt. Jefferson. All day I could see the peak as I approached on ridges to the south and west. Once close to the peak it disappeared into the trees. That is, until I entered the Park and then the peak towered over the landscape. 

By the time I hit the Park I was exhausted and sunburnt. I've been on the trail for two solid weeks and have not had a sunburn until yesterday and today. 

While looking for a camp spot (the forest Service restricts this area) I dropped my pack and set off around Scout Lake. It only took a minute to find an awesome spot, but on the way back to get my pack another mishap struck. I caught my toe on a root just as I was stepping across a small stream. As luck would have it my day ended badly. I fell backwards into the stream hitting my back against the bank. It felt like a sucker punch to the kidneys. All wet and groaning from the impact I managed to get up and find my pack. 

After I slowly set up camp I went down to the lake to clean my clothes. I only have one pair of shorts/pants so they're drying within reach on top of my tent. Shirt, hat, and socks are hanging on the site post. I'll have to decide if I want to brace the mosquitoes to retrieve them. 

If the injury needs some extra time to heal I'll visit and stay a day or two at the Ollalie Lake Campground. It's only 13 miles from here. I should be able to make that on my own. 

Sorry for the bad news. I wasn't in my plan to fall again. I've been really careful the last few days. One rib is completely healed and the other is coming along. Tithe back injury is on the same side as the rib that still hurts so sleeping and getting up should be great fun. 

Hopefully the adage "Early to bed, Early to rise. Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise,"  will apply tomorrow. 

Mt. Jefferson is closer. 

I look worse for wear today. 

At least the sunset made for a good ending. They don't get many colorful sunsets here, in my experience. 

Hikingsolo (aka Allen)