Oh Oh, Its Trail Magic, you know...

"Trail Magic" is a very broad term used out here on the trail that pretty much describes anything good that happens unexpectly out here. In more practical terms, most hikers refer to trail magic as free stuff at trail heads or major road crossings, i.e. rides/water/food/alcohol. Northern California is a more remote area of the trail but has a surprising amount of trail angels. Over the last few days its been raining trail magic for myself and my current hking partners Sunseeker and Train.

Upon arriving at the grocery store in Trukee, sunseeker and I met Train and an ATer called "Hollywood" who was just hangin out in Trukee on his days off (he works at a campground in the area). Well wouldnt you know , if he wasnt just so excited for us and our adventure, that he wanted to give us a ride back to the trailhead... but after he bought us lunch... and drinks... and a quick trip to *cough* Reno *cough*. Needless to say it turned into a night of free food and lodging and delayed day back on the trail. But he finally did get us back and we proceeded to knock out back to back 30s. The Red Moose the next day in Sierra City provided discounted meals and free showers to hikers. Two days ago we ran into a hiker named Fuzzy Monkey, and it just happened that his mom and aunt were visiting for the week and at a road crossing they had ice cold cokes, fresh fruit and homemade cookies, needless to say we made arrangements to cross paths with them yesterday as well.

Finally that brings me to where i'm at right now, The Williams in Bucks Lake. Little known trail angels, who had a sign posted on the trail two miles from where we had plan to make camp. So they picked up the 3 of us and brought us to their cabin 2 miles off trail and provided showers, laundry and internet. There are currently 9 of us here. Dinner last night included CHICKEN TETRAZINI!, beef stroganoff, afgan lamb, pork ribs and vingerette salad. This morning they have a breakfast buffet set up with all the classics. After this they're taking back to the trail head and we're gonan attempt another big day to make it into Belden.

So i'm fresh and so clean clean and have a full belly and ready for another solid day of hiking, but i'm not looking forward to the free fall into Belden which drops 4000 feet over 6 miles. My knees hate me on big downhills, and this is the biggest drop on the entire trail. fact.