Steamboat, take a look at
http://www.rimoftheworld.net/. Go to the GALLERY tab. The bottom link is 2005 WILDLIFE AND WILDLANDS. Scroll down to Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2005. The picture on the left of the Deep Creek bridge by Dave Honeywell is the crossing where the PCT comes down fron Big Bear. There's an identical bridge near the hot springs, isn't there? I was standing under that bridge in September when the creek was just wet sand. If you look just up to the left on the opposite bank, there is a burned stump of a very large pine that took out about a quarter of the bridge on that side. If you are familiar with the bridge down your way, you know that was one big mother tree! The hot springs are about 15 miles downstream. I was in the gorge in the other pictures later that day. I was giving myself goosebumps thinking that the fire had burned most of the vegetation and small game on the East side, and here I was, fresh meat! That's when it dawned that I really wasn't prepared for this. I kept hearing a clicking sound all around me, and finally realized that I was surrounded by.....hummingbirds! Many dozens, if not hundreds! What an absolute thrill!!! But, then again, remember those cute little lizards that had that guy surrounded in Jurassic Park... Hiking alone in the wilderness sure does a number on your imagination. Enough. You have no idea how long this is taking me. I can't type for beans.....
