Fire Station, Little Scraggy, and Stick Man

After an uneasy first night alone on trail, I packed up and left camp around 6:00 a.m. I boiled the last of my water to mix with instant coffee and started hiking. The trail crosses Raleigh Peak Road at mile 1.7. At mile 5.8, I reached the unmanned fire station with emergency water available to hikers. Feeling grateful for water, I continued hiking to Little Scraggy Trailhead and the end of Segment 2 at mile 7.2.

Segment 3 felt smooth and relaxed, the trail shaded by pine and fir forests, dotted with purple and white wildflowers, crossing small creeks, with gentle climbs and descents. While hiking, I met a hiker named "Stick Man", a large man wearing all neon colors, jingling with bear bells, and carrying a large stick.

Continuing past Rolling Creek Trailhead, mile 19.4, the trail enters Lost Creek Wilderness Area, mile 21.3. I stopped here, just inside the Lost Creek Wilderness Area, at the start of Segment 4, hoping for a better night of sleep and adjusting to the pace of trail life.