The storm had passed this morning and I woke to a fresh day with clear skies. I climbed gently from camp up to Meridian Overlook, on the way up I saw a wildfire starting up on the side of Siskiyou Peak. The trail follows a ridge around for several miles to Grouse Gap. I then spent the rest of the day descending steadily alongside Mt Ashland Ski Road. On the way down I met Keith the trail angel, giving away beers, soda, Gatorade and snacks at the main road crossing. The long descent finally took me to Callahan’s Mountain Lodge, covering 14.5 miles, 23.4 km.

The sunrise this morning was gorgeous once again. Compared to the wild weather last night, everything was so calm and settled. All the hail had disappeared, and the only sign of disturbance remaining was a square of pine needles which had fallen around my tent. Everything around was bone dry as if nothing at happened at all.

I made coffee and left camp just after 7 am, walking up the trail while sipping on coffee felt great and also served as a reminder for me to take it easy during the morning. While walking up the hill, I saw smoke rising from the trees on Siskiyou Peak. It seemed like the lightning last night had set something alight, but I had no cell signal to report the smoke.

The trail took me along a ridge with views of Oregon, and also back into NorCal. I reached cellphone signal, but by that time planes were already circling above the fire developing behind me. I continued walking along the ridge, in and out of forest all morning.

After passing Mt Ashland ski field, the trail began a very gentle descent. The gradient was barely noticeable, instead it felt as though I could walk at full speed with absolutely no resistance, I flew down this section.

I reached a road crossing and saw a vehicle parked right at the trail. Trail magic strikes again! The trail angel introduced himself as Keith and told me that he’s been driving up the coast providing trail magic to the bubble as they pass through the various sections on their way north. He had cold beer, and fresh fruit for me, and I stopped for a while to chat with him as well as a group of southbound hikers who showed up moments after me.

At the bottom, I saw Inferno Man again. We both headed to Callahan’s to wrap up this section. Unfortunately this was going to be the end of Inferno Man’s hike, he was getting off trail because of injury. We spent the night at the bar with other hikers, hopefully a good send off from the trail for Inferno Man, who plans to return next year and finish.