10.4 miles, 2000' gain, 4300' descent

According to the stats this should be one of the toughest days of my trip, with by far the most descent, but my legs must be getting stronger because I just started walking, trudged along for a bit, then arrived at camp, without any particular soreness or getting tired. I'm in the groove and feel like I could keep doing this indefinitely.

Descending the Cowlitz Divide was a moody experience, socked into a cloud and lacking its usual views. The Box Canyon trailhead offers running water and toilets that flush (such luxury) followed by a few miles of the most delightfully green forest on the way to Maple Creek camp. The only downside to this camp is occasional traffic noise from the road that runs up the other side of Stevens Canyon.

This section of the Wonderland can also be day hiked as Indian Bar.