10.2 miles, 2600' gain, 2700' descent

This was a straightforward day consisting of a Big Down to cross the South and North Mowich Rivers, followed by a Big Up to Mowich Lake, all through forest without views. But what a forest: this is a valley of wild and remote temperate rainforest where it would feel unsurprising to run across a dinosaur, or at very least a sasquatch.

South Mowich River is a notoriously difficult crossing with a bad habit of shedding any bridges that are put across it. The bridge was in when we crossed, but a ranger later told us it washed out again the very next day. It was fascinating to see the wide river plain littered with remnants of bridges prior.

Near the river is an old wooden shelter with amusing graffiti carved into its beams: "Will it ever stop raining?" and "Drip, Drip".

Mowich Lake is a most unusual campsite because it is not wilderness at all: tents are pitched tightly together in an old gravel parking lot. There is no privacy here, but there are picnic benches, and, glory of glory, it's our first cache resupply location! We can throw away trash, refill our food bags, and enjoy some heavier treats. I reverted to my college days by eating Heinz baked beans, cold, straight from the tin. So delicious. At the ranger cabin is a hiker box where unwanted supplies can be donated for anyone else to pick up, and Sasha was delighted to find couscous there. We went for a swim. Life is good.