Day 76 7/30 20.5mi. 

We had great views of Mt.Lassen all day and entered the Mt.Lassen National Park today.

This morning we caught up to three hikers who had to hitchhike around a 45 mile stretch of trail because of the fire in Belden. They told us it was a 200 acre fire just outside of town and it started sometime late Saturday night (we left Saturday morning). The fire was right on th PCT and so that section of the trail was closed for at least two weeks! The next paved road is 45 miles north of where the fire was so everyone behind us has to hitch those miles.

Soon after we entered the park we came to Boiling lake (pictured above) there is a lot of geothermal activity in the park and you would often catch a wiff of sulfur if the wind blew in the right direction.

We arrived at Drakesbad Guest Ranch at about 4 today where we got free showers, access to their hot spring pool, and a 50% discount on dinner!! They served us and the five other hikers that were there huge portions. We got another 2.5miles in after dinner and called it a night.