May 23 | SOBO Miles 1217 - 1235

We took our time getting up this morning because 1) it was cold, 2) we were dead tired (I haven’t been sleeping great because my air mattress has a hole and I have to get up every 3 hours to reinflate it), and 3) we knew we had less than 20 miles to go until town.

Finally back on dry trail for the first time in days, we sped along knowing we would actually make it to Burney in one piece.

The morning took us on a long descent through a nicely shaded forest. Overgrown bushes clawed at my legs and the trail became a river at some points, but my goodness was I grateful to be walking on dirt.

Just before Burney, the trail crossed directly over the raging Lake Britton Dam.

A short side trip to the Falls was totally warranted. We ran into a couple from Burney who were day hiking, and they offered us a ride to town (and cookies, clementines, and Doritos. Boom).

In town we hit up the post office, McDonald’s (where we ran into an old pal, Saunter), and the Word of Life Church, which was our swank home for the night.

Showers, a carpeted gym to sleep in, a full kitchen setup, and super generous staff (who welcomed us as the first hikers of the season)… this place had it all. Amen!!