Re: trip review 11-1-13

Juliankaye, I was the freehiker that you caught up with on the trail. It was nice to meet you and have someone to talk to on the way down.

I pulled into the parking area and removed my clothes. After applying sunscreen I headed down the trail. It was not until I had descended the hill, crossed the dirt road and started on the trail that I realized that I had left my shorts and t-shirt in the car. I had never hiked the trail without some kind of coverup in my backpack. I was contemplating returning to the car when I saw Juliankaye headed down the trail. I decided at that point to go "without a net" to the springs.

What a great day! everyone at the springs, six guys and two girls, was nude and it was a nice mellow crowd. The last time I hiked to the springs, there were a dozen, loud, 20 somethings all with bathing suits on. I only saw one other guy nude at the springs that day. Once I arrived, I sat in the sun and ate a little lunch and hiked around beyond the springs. A couple of guys were hiking in on the PCT and stopped to look at the springs. They seemed interested but kept their clothes on and headed back to the trail.

I did not encounter anyone on the hike out. I think that was a first for me. As I arrived back in the parking area, the three young ladies described by Juliankaye were just heading out. I assumed that they would meet freehikers on their way in, but they seemed okay with me being nude in the parking area, so I figured that they would be fine on the trail.

A little later the two guys and girl arrived in the parking area. I was still nude, but getting ready to leave. One of the guys came over to me to ask directions. We talked a little and and I described the trail and landmarks. I wish that I would have suggested they try freehiking as it was a beautiful day and I am always looking for converts. After they saw Juliankaye on the trail, maybe it convinced them.