"Great day today! Started off before six and had my best breakfast yet at a sweet bridge. Kept going until I got to some hot springs. Hung out there for a few hours. I met some cool people, swam in the river, and hung out in the hot tubs. I ate a ton of food before I left, and took a questionable recommendation from a local to drink the hot spring water, which made the end of the hike today a little uncomfortable." 4/14/22 7:23 PM
After an early start, I pounded some miles before taking a quick break for breakfast. Not long after resuming hiking, I passed the 300 mile marker. I sped along the trail and arrived at the location I'd been looking forward to all trail around midday: Deep Creek hot springs.
I had a wonderful time soaking in the various hot pools and swimming in the deep creek. The water was crystal clear and the perfect temperature to hop into after overheating in the hot springs. Most of the people there had hiked out for the day, and many had overpacked for their picnics, so I was able to inherit quite a few snacks.
While I was there, the hot spring local, Jason Stahlheber, arrived and started doing his thing. He showed me a copy of the local climbing book that he co-authored. He also sold me on the healing powers of the spring that feeds into the pools. Before I left the springs, I filled my water bladder to the max with hot spring water.
After I was done playing in the pools, I started to pack up, and I realized just how much my foot was hurting. I put my shoes on and continued hiking nonetheless. The day was hot, I had a full stomach, an aching foot, and the hot spring water was starting to cause a ruckus in my stomach. I took a break in the shade of some unusual water management infrastructure.
After I made the last creek crossing of the day, which was a shoes on and off ordeal, the foot pain really started to ramp up. By the time I made it to camp I was hobbling and forced to take frequent rests. I had also begin to adopt a very lopsided hiking style to favor my injured foot. I arrived at the creek, set up my gear, and hit the hay.
A sweet bridge, the 300 mile mark, Jason's book, leaving Deep Creek hot springs:
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