The descent down to the Little North Fork of the Cal-Salmon River was a steep, serpentine path. After leaving Tom Taylor's cabin at 6,700', the trail didn't stop its incessant drop until reaching Timber Hotel at 3,800 feet! That's pretty close to 3,000 vertical feet in a couple miles. All I can say is I'm sure glad I didn't have to go up it. The trail intersected with the trail to Clear Lake at this spot deep in the old growth.

A little way further brought us to Timber Hotel. We had a much deserved lunch there. I also did a little beeping, but only found stuff from the 60s. It was a nice campsite though, albeit hot in the mid day.

It got its name from the huge incense cedars, sugar pines and Douglas firs that grew there. Here's a big sugar pine.

We saddled up and headed down the trail to a more strategic campsite.

We found one at Right Hand Fork/Uncle's Creek.

This was the first camp that I set up our tent. The mosquitoes were plentiful, although not abundant.

Just downstream from our camp was a beautiful pool where Uncle's Creek merged with the Little North Fork.

We took a nice dip in it and cooled off. The next shot looked downstream.

As dusk approached, a deer came down to visit. This poor picture was the only one I took that was not blurry.

When we woke up the next day, a bear had also visited during the night. He left his calling card in the form of a large pile of berry-filled bear stuff. Another nice pile was nearby.