Day 41-Hiking With Dusty and Koda

April 28-10.2 miles-mile 411.9 to 422.1

Since we had such a short day, we took our time getting going, yet we were still on the trail just after 8:30. Dusty decided to hang with us today. It was really nice having another woman to hike with. There are so few of us out here. 

Dusty and Koda

Don’t you just love those eyes (too bad they are not as in focus as his nose)!

We took breaks, and really enjoyed the day. 

Photo courtesy of Dusty



AWOL lists this as “Rotted Cabin”...no duh...

Laurel River

We crossed the Laurel River on this nice bridge. 

From the bridge. 

The scenery highlight of the day was Laurel Falls. It was actually near the end of the day. 

Really a nice waterfall. 

After the falls, we continued to follow the river. Up above, there is a high water bypass. This is why. 

See Dusty? That’s the trail. 

Understandably not a good way if the river is high. 

We had come all the way down some very treacherous stairs to get down to the Falls. Of course, what goes down, must go up. 

The rocks are the trail. 

Soon we were way up above the river again. And then back down. Dusty, having done this section last year, knew of some nice campsites by the river. We decided to camp at one, instead of going to the shelter. 

Dusty and I have the same tent. 

It was nice enough that I was able to soak my feet in the cold river. 

Ahhhh...refreshing!

As much as we enjoyed the day with Dusty, and she with us, she is getting off trail tomorrow. We told her about our problems keeping a third member to our posse, but she swears she had already made the decision to get off before she spent last night and today with us. We knew hiking with Dusty would be short lived anyway, because she can do way more miles in a day than we can. Still, we’ll miss her. Fortunately, she has a sister who lives in Washington, so perhaps I’ll see her again.