MF Day 3, 6/12/2007: One long MF day.

Mile 32.6 (Sunflower Flat) to mile 51.8 (Cave camp)

This was one of our longest days on the water, and the least eventful day as far as rapids. The river had moved along really well the first couple of days: even in between the rapids there were few eddys, and the character was definitely not "pool and drop."

The third day, that changed, and the Middle Fork began looking (and acting) more and more like its larger brethren, the Main and Lower.

We went from Sunflower Flat at mile 32.6, to Cave camp at mile 51.8, not quite 20 miles, but still a healthy distance to be on the water. Because the river became more pool and drop like, and less rocky, there was less maneuvering to do, so I still felt much more energetic that night than I had the previous two.

The highlight of the day was stopping by Big Loon Camp and taking the short hike (1 mile) up to Loon Creek hot springs. Big pool. Good temperature. Saw a bullsnake. Otherwise just another day on the river. Therefore a good day. Here are some pics:
The aforementioned bullsnake:

Sparky and Backstroke yucking it up in Loon Creek hot springs.

CB, Backstroke and Sparky on the hike back from the hot springs, nice flowers.

Yours truly checking out Hospital Bar hot springs across from Cave camp. The hot springs were nice, but the people actually camping at Hospital Bar hung out at them most of the evening, once again making peeing in the river uncomfortable. The really old naked guy who sat around in the hot springs in the morning didn't do much for my breakfast appetite either.

This was the beach at Cave camp. I would consider camping there again with a small group (on the assumption that naked old guy will be long gone).

This was enchilada night. Very good, but I had a problem with the brownies for dessert. Instead of having that kind of glazed top I associate with brownies, the top was riddled with small holes. I'm not sure why that happened, it happened once before when cooking with a dutch oven, but I don't yet see a pattern.