May 8th--- Near Govina Canyon to Campground Near Valle Tio Vinces Spring

North Slope of Wagontongue Mountain

     I'm lost!  Nobody likes that thought to pop into their head,  but the fact is that I did lose the trail for a brief time this morning.  After entering a swath of forest that had seen extensive fire damage, the track was no longer apparent and the CDT emblems and tree blazes that had kept me on the straight and narrow were no longer visible on the few trees left standing.  Well, I'd heard it's not the best course of action to start running around like a chicken with its head cut off, so I removed the map from my pocket and took some time to assess the situation.  On the map it seemed the trail stayed high on the divide, so I certainly didn't want to descend. Furthermore it was heading off to the northwest on a course a bit right of Wagontongue Mountain.  Using that as my reference point for orientation, I headed out.  After about ten minutes of cross country, I picked up a faint trail that led me in the direction I wanted to go.  When the first tree blaze came into sight, I knew I'd recovered the trail.  Following cairns and blazes, I went up and over Wangontongue's eastern flank and made a steady western descent down the northern slope.  There was some more blackened forest to hike through at times, but emblems were set in obvious places and there was always well-worn tread.
     At lower elevation, the trail once again joined a forest service road that took me towards Highway 12.  Near the highway the road comes out of the trees and into yet another area of expansive grassland.  Making a sharp turn to the east, it roughly parallels the paved road, where from time to time I'd see a car go speeding past.  I could also see a windmill in the distance that got bigger and bigger as I approached.  Ley's map said it had been a good water source, but since 2010 had been dry and busted.  When I stood at the edge of the tank and peeked in, a nice surprise awaited me.  It was completely full and the pipe was spewing out fresh water as the wheel spun in the wind.  This water source was definitely back on line!  I had a nice break at the tank with a couple of horses in the adjacent corral coming up to visit me.
     After crossing Highway 12, the road ran through forest with the sporadic clearing.  Now and then, I'd see cows among the trees and a cattle tank filled with muddy water that I'd be hard-pressed to drink.  The afternoon sky started to cloud over, delivering occasional showers.  Once, I sought the cover of the trees as the rain turned to pelting hail and sleet.  As soon as the worst had passed overhead, I returned to the road to continue logging the miles.  In one of the largest clearings that held Patterson Tank, I heard a bunch of coyotes carrying on, yipping and howling as if they'd just completed a successful hunt.  Never did actually see them, but my, what a racket!
     Reaching the campground at Valle Tio Vinces Spring, I had a choice to make.  Even though the weather was worsening, should I make the attempt to clear Mangas Mountain this evening or should I stay put?  While weighing my decision, I grabbed a couple of water bottles and headed for the spring.  The water that was available was in a catchment trough that had a thin film of green algae on top.  However, the water beneath the scum was clear and icy cold.  Retracing my steps to where I'd left my pack, I looked up at the heavens and could see that the clouds were building into dark thunderheads.  Mangas Mountain could wait, I was going to spend the night with a roof over my head.  With that in mind, I moved all my gear into the palatial accommodation of the campground privy.  I've used them before on the Florida Trail and PCT to hunker down in storms.  As long as there are no noxious vapors rising from the pit toilet, it has worked out rather well.  This one actually had an air freshener that gave off the slight scent of berry.  Plus, the times I've camped in the commode, there have never been other people in camp that will come a-knockin'.  I have the place to myself.  As the thunder boomed outside and the rain began to pour down, I knew I'd made a wise decision and couldn't help smiling to myself.  Now, to feast in the light of my headlamp.  Mnummm!

30.1 Miles     
    

The Windmill Is Working

Where are them barking Coyotes?