We made it back onto the trail after a couple of days off in Chester. The wildfire in Belden became more severe and they shut down the trail for close to 100 miles before it. Many people had to hitch for 70+ miles to reach Chester and get around the flames. It appears we were the last people that were allowed on the alternate.

We missed those flames only to run into this smoke or steam. We went through Lassen National Forest which is complete with hot springs, mud pots, cinder cones, volcanoes, and geysers. In this picture you see me next to Terminal Geyser which was releasing sulfur and boiling water into the evening sky. Believe it or not even though we are rarely showered thru-hikers we could still smell it.