59 2732.6 8/12/2021 sunny, no clouds. Woke around 5 and on trail about 6. My tent was wet with moisture because I camped near a creek. The immediate trail was covered with undergrowth. Then in time it opened up and I was in a river valley. I was making good progress of 5 miles every two hours. Then as I approached Justin and likewise he approached me I slowed down. The trail was rocky and I worried about tripping and falling. I stopped for lunch and checked my location. Somehow it showed me that I was off trail. This worried me because Justin could pass me without us seeing each other. We were sending InReach messages but the delay was maddening. To get back on trail I bushwhacked to where the trail should have been, but I could not find it. So I made my way back to where I had been. I ate some lunch and continued on my way hoping it would work out. Suddenly I saw another hiker, named “Cache-22” and I asked if he had seen my son. He had. Which meant the trail was ok and I was on trail. We chatted for a few minutes and bid each safe journey. I was only a mile from Justin, but it seemed to take forever. Finally I heard him and forded a stream to get to him. Whew! After doing chores we sat and chatted about the trail, this great campsite, and the upcoming 115 mile “The Bob” section. Dinner was dumplings – yum, one of my favorites. We tied our Ursacks to a tree and prepared for bed. Two other tents were pitched here without anyone around. At about 6:30 two trail worker arrived who had been doing trail maintenance south of here. Time for nightly chores and bed. Night night.
