Campground near Drakesbad Guest Ranch
Miles: 22
Trip: 658
I think I must have died on the trail today, because this place feels suspiciously like heaven. Odd, considering the heavy scent of sulfur in the air - but when we arrived we were greeted by angels. The staff of Drakesbad directed us to free hot showers, took our dusty stinky clothes and fed us gourmet food until we were happily over-full. They even let us relax in the hot spring pool with the clean and civilized paying guests. For all this they charged us $10 each (breakfast will be another whopping $5).
I still have trouble understanding why some people are so generous to thru-hikers. Most of us aren't raising money for charities, we aren't on an expedition to discover miracle medicines in the mountains - we're just walking, just for ourselves. It's a pretty selfish journey, really. So why do some people treat us like heroes who deserve more than those working hard to support families, being every-day Americans? Dayhikers talk to us with awe in their voices, even though I'm sure they could do the same thing given enough time and motivation. My only theory is that these admirers and angels want to be a part of the journey any way they can, to feel like they own a little part of it. If they help us, they satisfy a little of their adventure-lust. And I'll gladly help them do that.
Shaggy says:
Amazing day. Seriously. Food just did not stop coming. Around noon and the North Fork of the Feather River, we found a cooler with goodies left by Ninja's mom. She then showed up with even more food. String cheese, soda, sandwiches, and beer. Hard to leave that spot.
Then we marched on to Drakesbad. We had heard stories of Drakesbad Guest Ranch giving hikers huge amounts of food for very little money. We had no idea what to expect. Upon arrival we were given loaner clothes to wear while they washed our clothes. Then they showed us where the shower was. After lounging for another 2 hours in the hammocks and chairs, we were given dinner. It was family style. So for me, Lauren, Paws, Hamburger, Easy Miles, and Skeeter, we gorged. A plate full of rice, a plate full of veggies, a plate full of tender juicy slabs of pork, a plate full of potatoes, and a plate of eggplant parmesan. When I say a plate full, I mean a heaping mound on a large plate. Also 2 loaves of fresh bread. This was also followed by cheesecake. All of this for just $10 a person. I love this place.
We took a swim in the hot springs pool and are camped half a mile from the ranch. This will provide easy access to the all you can eat breakfast buffet in the morning.
We hiked 22 miles today and I would hike 22 miles everyday if it involved a hiker dinner at Drakesbad Ranch with great company. Amazing. Its after 10 pm though now, time for sleep.
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| This guy had just snatched a termite out of a spider's web when I snapped his photo. Stealing is only a crime in the human world. |
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| Thermal feature near Drakesbad, in Lassen National Forest. The green pool in the background smelled exactly like rotten eggs - delicious. |
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| Shaggy walks the boardwalk to Drakesbad. I recommend this place to anyone who wants a quiet retreat in N. Cali - and who enjoys a hot soak. |
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| The breakfast spread - quiche, oatmeal, toast, potatoes, beans, eggs...dinner was even better, but everyone was too busy eating to photograph |
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| Marmot Patrol! This little dude has a posh life, eating food scraps and staying warm near the hot spring - and squeaking loudly at rowdy hikers. |
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| Drakesbad is a special place for hikers - as long as you don't travel in large groups. There's only so much food!! |
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