Outdoor Adventures with Ancient Brit
PCT 2002 - Day 22 April 29th
Day 22: Monday 29th April
Holcomb Creek Crossing Trail Camp – Deep Creek Hot Springs
It was much warmer overnight, possibly because of the lower altitude and it was a
clear, but breezy day. I quickly reached the head of Deep Creek and started the long
walk down to the Hot Springs. Deep Creek has cut a deep V-shaped valley with very
steep sides. The path went up and down a lot, traversing high above the creek, climbing
over and under rock buttresses. Initially the trail was through forest, but as it got lower
chaparral replaced the trees. The creek was much dammed by beavers causing some
very large pools in the stream.
I arrived at the Hot Springs in time for a late lunch. There were about a dozen people
at the Springs, more than I had expected on a Monday.
After putting up my tent just upstream from the Hot Springs I settled in by the
pools. I washed every stitch of clothing I was carrying in the “Crab Cooker”, which
meant I had nothing to wear, which didn’t matter, as nothing was needed. I also
thoroughly washed my water bottles and water containers.
One of the visitors was a man whose ranch (probably just a small cabin) was burnt
down in the big “Willow Creek” fire of 1999. He was very bitter about the actions of the
Fire Service, claiming it was a back-burn by the Fire Service, which got out of control
and burnt down his house. Back-burns are small fires deliberately lit to burn the brush
to try and create a firebreak to stop the main fire.
“Purboy” arrived in the afternoon and joined me in the hot pools.
A fine dust was blowing around the area where I was camping with every gust
carrying dust into my tent.
My heel had not stiffened up much today, already benefiting from the hot water
treatment. After a late night soak, I was settled into my tent when I was disturbed by
cries from above. A Korean had gone back to his car to get his tent and his torch had
packed up on his way back. It was a dark night with no moon and he had managed to get
himself stuck on the crags guarding the pools. I had to get up and guide him across the
pools. Most of the visitors sleep out rather than use their tents and he only went back
for his tent because of the wind
Day 22: 13.5 miles 5.30 hours Camp: Deep Creek Hot Springs
Holcomb Creek Crossing Trail Camp – Deep Creek Hot Springs
It was much warmer overnight, possibly because of the lower altitude and it was a
clear, but breezy day. I quickly reached the head of Deep Creek and started the long
walk down to the Hot Springs. Deep Creek has cut a deep V-shaped valley with very
steep sides. The path went up and down a lot, traversing high above the creek, climbing
over and under rock buttresses. Initially the trail was through forest, but as it got lower
chaparral replaced the trees. The creek was much dammed by beavers causing some
very large pools in the stream.
I arrived at the Hot Springs in time for a late lunch. There were about a dozen people
at the Springs, more than I had expected on a Monday.
After putting up my tent just upstream from the Hot Springs I settled in by the
pools. I washed every stitch of clothing I was carrying in the “Crab Cooker”, which
meant I had nothing to wear, which didn’t matter, as nothing was needed. I also
thoroughly washed my water bottles and water containers.
One of the visitors was a man whose ranch (probably just a small cabin) was burnt
down in the big “Willow Creek” fire of 1999. He was very bitter about the actions of the
Fire Service, claiming it was a back-burn by the Fire Service, which got out of control
and burnt down his house. Back-burns are small fires deliberately lit to burn the brush
to try and create a firebreak to stop the main fire.
“Purboy” arrived in the afternoon and joined me in the hot pools.
A fine dust was blowing around the area where I was camping with every gust
carrying dust into my tent.
My heel had not stiffened up much today, already benefiting from the hot water
treatment. After a late night soak, I was settled into my tent when I was disturbed by
cries from above. A Korean had gone back to his car to get his tent and his torch had
packed up on his way back. It was a dark night with no moon and he had managed to get
himself stuck on the crags guarding the pools. I had to get up and guide him across the
pools. Most of the visitors sleep out rather than use their tents and he only went back
for his tent because of the wind
Day 22: 13.5 miles 5.30 hours Camp: Deep Creek Hot Springs
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Beaver pools in
Deep Creek
Deep Creek
Doing the laundry at
Deep Creek Hot Springs
Deep Creek Hot Springs
Ancient Brit at Deep
Creek Hot Springs
Creek Hot Springs
Purboy bedding down