This section of trail continues through the Dixie Fire Burn scar and also included the Lassen Volcanic National Park (LVNP) and the Lassen National Forest (LNF). I also saw my first bull elk on this trail, but unfortunately wasn't quick enough with my camera.

The interesting little quirk about this section was that we were required to have a bear cannister if we camped in the LVNP, but not if we hiked all the way through its 19 miles in a single day. Thus, coming out of Chester, it was only about 12 miles to the LVNP boundary, and there ended up being about 12 to 15 of us hikers all camped on the same ridge just about a mile before the boundary.

The other thing going on right now is there has been a breakout of Norovirus amongst the thru hikers, so we're all doing our best to maintain distance from each other. Keeping this mind, I cleared a space in a flat spot that was what I thought was a safe distance from all the other hikers and widowmakers in the area. What I didn't realize was I must have set up too close to a falcon's nest, because that thing immediately started dive-bombing me. I don't know how to describe the sound when those things fly that close over your head, but the closest I can come up with is a cross between an arrow and a jet engine.

The first time it happened it came from behind me and I wondered if a bullet had just whizzed over my head. I was spinning around trying to figure out what had just missed me. The second time I saw it coming, but was still surprised that a bird flying would make a sound like that. At that point I should have looked for another place to pitch my tent, but with all the prime/safe spots already taken, I stubbornly finished setting up my tent and crawled in, thinking it would let up as soon as I was in my tent. Wrong again. I'm pretty sure that thing kept it up the whole night, and I don't know if I slept at all. It seemed like every time I was about to fall asleep there would be a loud whoosh followed by its chirp chirp chirp, and I'd be wide awake again.

The next morning I was up before the sun (I'd given up on the hope of getting any sleep). I noticed the hikers that had camped nearest to me were all up too, and I wondered if they were cursing me for camping so close to that bird.

I ended up hiking all the way through LVNP that day, plus another 11 miles for a total of 30. LVNP was probably 90 percent burned, but the hot springs, geysers, etc, were still neat to see. However, I didn't see a single bear track or scat that entire day. Seems to me they could relook at the necessity for that rule.

The other complication now is the ongoing Park fire, which is now threatening the areas I just hiked from. I had breakfast at JJs in Old Station yesterday morning, and then learned last night that it had been placed in the evacuation zone. The smoke from that fire does not seem to be bothering my lungs, but it sure gives everything an apocalyptic feel. Several hikers behind me have just been evacuated to Burney.

I hope they are able to get the fire under control soon, but right now it's not looking good.