MRT 2021 Day 19, April 23, Friday
• Start S6 mile 37.3, 4th ford of Black River
• End S6 mile 58.8, on Bear Wallow Trail
• Miles walked: 21.5
Continuing along Black River, the trail became much easier to follow, and places to ford were easy to see. Later, I pass a group of 5 campers, and they say the trail becomes fainter and harder to follow up ahead, which I find to be true, but still not too bad.
After 28 more fords (!!) I finally reach the bridge signaling the end of this 12 mile river passage in late morning.
After a roadwalk and cross-country exercise, the route enters the Bear Wallow Wilderness, and descends down Gobbler Point Trail several miles to Bear Wallow Creek, and Bear Wallow Trail follows the creek up for the rest of the day through wild rugged mixed conifer forest that largely escaped the Wallow Fire. I camp within earshot of the gentle murmuring of a mountain creek.
What is a wallow, anyway?
“bear wallow : a declivity or sink in the ground made or capable of having been made by bears“
Finished audiobook Moments with Mark Twain, by Mark Twain.