Alarm clock Paul woke me up this morning with a shake on my tent. Sunrise is peaking through the mountains - pink and orange!

Packed up and started our hike up mission Creek.

The trail is known to be washed out and damaged due to a storm/hurricane from 2023. Today will require some route finding skills, river crossing, scrambling and boulder hopping.

Start the day with a river crossing - no way to do it without getting your feet wet - here we go!

We had trail for about a mile and then it is washed away. Stopped for breakfast before things get crazy!

Met up with Kaleidoscope, Mrs. Pooh & Virginia and hiked and scrambled with them all day today.

Some of the trail is marked with cairns, sometimes you can see footprints… Mostly you follow the river that runs throughout a massive bed of boulders and sand and downed logs. Every so often you need to cross the creek to get on the other side as it gets next to the riverbed walls.

Walking is slow as you must pay attention to every step you take.

To get back on trail we had to scramble up the steep 8 ft. Tall wall of the riverbed. Packa were handed up and poles and Paul was needed to assist everyone to the top.

Eventually the trail forks and we ascend up up up a ridge and valley to get to another riverbed crossing.

Late lunch stopped and took off our shoes and socks and layed everything in the sun. My feet are pruney.

3 more miles to our campsite.

The trail is off the riverbed and climbing but has been washed out in several places - requiring creative and somewhat scary crossings. Very helpful to gave others around to help and be second eyes and hands when needed.

Eventually came down to a valley with creek crossing surrounded by boulders and the charred remains of trees.

Trail very unclear from here - required a failed attempt and reroute to scramble and climb our way out.

Once out more climbing and winding on trail to reach our campsite.

Setup tent and gear, hot cooked ramen with chicken cashews olive oil seasoning and peanut butter for dinner. Filtered water for tomorrow - exhausted.

Tomorrow is Steven & Dan Day!! 🥳