Author: Jim, Sagebrush

• GET day 14, Oct 14, Monday
• Start Nave Spring campsite
• End Springtime Campground and home
• Opportunistic sawing and lopping on the way

It is time to head back home for a zero day. Now that I know Nave Spring has good water, the plan is to return after my break, for several days of clearing Shipman Trail in this section.

The views on the return are still dazzling.

Near the campground, temperatures are still warm enough to encounter a snake taking a solar nap on the trail.

Finished audiobook Greylorn, by Keith Laumer.

My long-hike journals nearly always include a photo of a hamburger at some point on the trip. I did not get one at a restaurant this hike, but Dotter made sourdough buns and we grilled burgers to eat with Cairn at home this evening.

• GET 2024 day 13, Oct 13, Sunday
• Start Springtime Campground
• End campsite near Nave Spring
• Sawing and lopping and route-finding

Visitors perched on my car while I was breaking camp.

My goal today is to hike 4 miles to Nave Spring on Shipman Trail, doing some lopping and sawing on the way, and see if the Spring has water.

Shipman is hard to follow until the intersection with Milo, then becomes easier.

The route is getting to the very southern edge of the San Mateos, with flat land visible beyond.

The spring does have water, so I will camp here.

A gap between mountains gives a view of lowlands to the west, with improbable cell signal.

Finished audiobook Lone Star Planet, by H Beam Piper and John J Mcguire.

• GET 2024 day 12, Oct 12, Saturday
• Start San Mateo Spring campsite
• End Springtime campground
• Cleared all trees between Snn Mateo Spring and Springtime, with spot lopping

Packing up camp, my destination today is my car at Springtime, for modest resupply.

The oak at this elevation is getting its fall colors.

The views descending Apache Kid Trail do not disappoint.

The section of Apache Kid Trail between Shipman intersection and Springtime in not on the GET, but does provide access to the trail.

I cannot fully lop this section, but do try to work on the bushiest sections every time I pass through.

I was surprised to see another hiker on trail, hunting bear, and we stopped and chatted a while. Here he is back at camp.

Many trees could be cleared easily, but then you get a fresh ponderosa blowdown that takes a good deal of effort.

The campground had several visitors, and I am glad to see it is being used and appreciated.

Finished audiobook Divots, by P G Wodehouse.