Day 3 started out bright and sunny and was a wonderful section to hike I had the whole campsite to myself and didn't get out of camp until 8 am. There were some elevation changes but they were gradual both in the ups and downs and made for a very pleasant day.
A little friend sunning himself early on a rock across the trail. This was the second green snake I had seen, the other was the very first day as soon as I got on the trail
More ridge walking early gave great views across the trees
The trail has been in very bad need of some lopping, but it started to actually disappear in places
This boardwalk and beaver pond was the first place I could get more water today, but I just couldn't reach the water without falling in, so I would have to wait for the next stop
lots of wildflower fields today
Across Christmas Tree Ridge I can see the way ahead
Kennedy Creek (beaver pond) was where I could finally reach the water and refill
The wildflowers around the pond were very nice
The trail now takes me into Split Rock State Park. I get a view of Split Rock Lighthouse from high up on the ridge.
Entering the park is the first "shelter" I have seen along the trail. I stopped here for a rest. It was at the top of the entrance to the park and you could see for miles. You could also hear the construction traffic on HWY 61. The "beep, beep" of the back up signal was a constant companion all day and night as they work 24 hours on the road.
Split Rock is a beautiful park and the trail goes up one side and down the other ( 5 miles up and back)
A bridge at the top of the park takes you across the river and over to the other side
I decided to cut the day short and stay at one of the campsites in the Park, I arrived at 1 pm. I laid everything out to dry and since it seemed I had the whole park to myself ( I had not seen anyone at all for almost 2 days) I decided to soak myself in the river and enjoy "nature"
After my soak in the river and drying everything out and redressing my feet, It was 2:30 pm. I felt so good I packed up and decided to press on to the next campsite. Another 4 miles away
One of the famous "split rocks" the park in named for (below)
The walk out of the park going from Split Rock toward Gooseberry Park was spectacular and I am glad I decided to do it. The temperature was fine and the mosquitoes had gone away with the ridge line breeze
Camping tonight was alone again at Blueberry Hill campsite.
So how long does it take to start hallucinating when you are hiking alone. I fell asleep about 9:30 pm and was awakened at 1 am by hearing a zipper open from a tent. I figured someone must have arrived late and was just slipping out of their tent to "answer the call of nature" and I would have company in the morning. In the morning there was not any sign that anyone else had been in camp that night!
Dinner tonight was mac and creme pesto (my own recipe)
Even though my feet are in pretty bad shape at this point ( see epilogue) it was a great day and I managed 15 miles and caught up with exactly where I was suppose to be at this point. I have just 18 miles left and 2 full days to finish it.
view from my tent as the sun sets, a beautiful night. The milky way and stars were spectacular when I got up later in the night
Summary:
15 miles in 8:30 hrs with at least 2 hrs worth of breaks
