Moving downstream to Honeymoon Pool things got better. The small gorge opened up and the gradient was obviously lower. This would be our put in. The boats and gear were dumped off of Keith Beck's trusty van and I began carrying them down to the water while the Keiths drove off to set shuttle. Having toted the equipment down to the pool I relaxed and enjoyed the beautiful high-country scenery.
Granite domes and slabs frame the crystal clear, emerald green water of the creek.
Pines, firs, and cedars flourish at this elevation, swaying in the warm breezes. Thousands of ladybugs had just come out of hibernation and were swirling lazily down the canyon. Fluffy cumulus clouds drifted slowly eastward, brilliant white against the deep blue sky. It turned out that, rather than the anticipated five miles, the distance to Ross Crossing was closer to 14 miles. Aside from the unexpected length and events of the shuttle, a few other alarming facts surfaced.