I was the first one up, and lazily made my way to the comfort station. I note this because this one was a really good distance from the campsite, reached via a narrow, overgrown trail, truly in the middle of the nowhere in the woods. Luckily it also gave the impression that this campsite was seldom used. Very comforting.

Since today would be a lite and easy day, I didn't make breakfast. I just got down the bear bag, grabbed a Luna bar and headed back to the tent to snack and relax. I checked the laundry, and boy was it all still wet. I hoped that eventually the sun would come through and at least warm it up. May as well wait a bit, so I just got back in the tent and stretched out my sore self on my sleeping bag. Sarah and Bob awoke but no one moved. We just talked and lounged in our tents a good while... 'til 11am actually.

Finally and slowly we each got up, washed, dressed and packed. We just had Cliff bars for breakfast, and set about tying the still wet clothing to the outside of our backpacks, now hoping it would dry as we hiked. Bob had washed ALL his socks though, so I had to loan him a pair of liners and convince him multiple times that it was OK to wear wet wool socks over them. Yes, they would dry on his feet. No, he wouldn't get blisters so long as he had liners on. He was skeptical, but desperate, so off we went, walking laundry stacks, and Bob with wet socks.

The 1.3 miles through the woods back up to the trail intersection was tougher as a morning warmup than expected. There was no sun on the trail either...but there was at the intersection, so when I got there I threw down my pack, positioned my wet clothes for optimum exposure and sat in the shade to wait for Bob and Sarah.

They were as happy to reach level ground and sun as I was, so they went to town hanging stuff up to dry. We took over the trail sign with shirts, and decorated the trees with socks. Bob noted that he now believed me, as his feet were comfortable and the socks mostly dry. Then we rested a good while and had more snacks. The sun made quick work of drying our clothes, so they were ready when we were. The next couple of miles were all downhill through dense old earthy pine forest. Our varied speeds split us up completely for this portion, but we knew Nickel Creek campground was our lunch spot and that we'd just meet there. It was a soft, winding, woodsy few miles and we all enjoyed the full solitude it provided.

Nickel Creek was pretty vacant at mid-day so when we all rejoined we had plenty of logs to stretch out on and make our hearty hot lunch...we whipped out the stove and cooked noodles and added a tuna-pouch. Spirits were high because we also knew that just another mile or so downhill was another treat...the tourist rest area at Box Canyon. Yup..We'd be hitting civilization briefly today, which of course was a shame in the wilderness-spirit of things, but we were happy for the opportunity to splash with soap and running water, and to throw out the ziplocks full of garbage Bob had been accumulating. We repacked after eating, and headed over the bridge to cleanliness.

When we got there we were hesitant. Maybe we wouldn't wash too much after all...The running water was still awfully cold, and it would break the momentum, right? So Sarah and Bob and I just scrubbed our hands and went to the water-fountain to refill bottles. Then I went back in just to wash my face. But I was suddenly besieged with the desire to dunk my whole head in the sink, and before I knew it I was totally washing my hair and scrubbing the grime off me. It was awsome. I ran out of the bathroom delireously happy with a dripping head, and Sarah scolded me laughingly...as she grabbed her towel and headed in herself, of course. Then Bob gave in too. After we'd all washed we even had our clean and dry clothes to now change into. A tourist in the parking lot took our picture for us.

The last stretch of the day was just plain pretty...some nice bridges and an awsome fern-field amidst the woods were highlights. We also noticed rose petals every so often on the trail. (Fodder for speculation that would build tomorrow.) Sarah had hurried ahead, and I was hoping she'd get a particular campsite ... I'd read that only the last of the 5 campsites at Maple Creek has a view, and I was hoping no one had gone to that end campsite. We were running very late in the day for hikers, and odds were low. We also had to make dinner and setup camp before dark, and tomorrow was to be our longest day (twice the milage of our other days). So through the ferns and forest we forged.

The sign for Maple Creek appeared, and I passed each of the campsites looking for Sarah. My excitement mounted as I didn't see her, and I hustled up the trail past them all to the farthest campsite...ours. The one with the view. YAY! The luck was likely due to its being so far from the other sites, and from the water and comfort station, so most hikers would probably just setup at the first site they saw. I was thrilled. Plenty of room, privacy, and a view of the stars, for the sky would be clear tonight.

I hustled a dinner together from all the heaviest items left in the foodbag, and lay out our remaining wet socks to dry (yes, there were still some damp clothes). Then it was dark, so we had to march the darn bear-bag to the pole at the second campsite by headlamps, and hoist it without too much noise. Ah...off to bed. We lay up for a bit and looked at the stars. Then I set my alarm for 4:30am and stretched out in the breezy tent for another great night of sleep.

Next -- Day 6: Long Day, Lakes and Cougar Rock