Today was a mix of scenery ranging from desert mountains to a burn to a lovely forest. We woke early as usual and hit the trail with General before it had a chance to warm up. The trail went up almost immediately, taxing heavy legs from the day before. We met up with General relaxing in the shade of a few trees. We quickly joined him. He seems to have a knack for finding the best break spots.
Back on trail we left the trees and entered a burn which we’d be in for the next few miles. There were no decent stopping spots for lunch so we ended up on a hillside, barren except for the charred remains of some small trees. Not too long after lunch the trail turned a corner into a depressing site of hundreds of burnt, dead, and felled pines which once would have been a beautiful shady forest.
We finished the day hiking back through live trees to Sawmill Campground. Waterboy went to check the campground first since a day before there had been a man yelling at people while firing his crossbow in the campground. The only crazy people to be found were fellow thruhikers so the all-clear was given and everyone else made their way to camp. We cowboy camped again to help us get out quickly the following morning. We apparently lucked out by hitting this campground when we did.
We later learned that the following night would be interrupted by trucks doing donuts in the parking lot followed by lots of gunfire. Needless to say, we’re really looking forward to getting somewhere more remote.
Emge Adventures 
Wow, glad for your good timing but sorry for the lack of shade!!
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