Sunday June 8, 27.4mi/44.1kmSaddle near Pete’s Cabin (785.6/8590ft) to Marysville Canyon Trail Jct (813.0/8890ft) (NV)It was surprisingly chilly overnight, and I started hiking in my fleece and warm hat.In a couple minutes I was at the pass, where there was a great view of Arc Dome, where I would be later today.The trail is also noticeably better on the other side of the pass. Still brushy, but very easy to follow.I just sent it a couple miles down to the Reese River, where the trail got a little confusing amongst all the vegetation and felled trees.Once I found the correct spot to cross, it was easy, and I noticed that beavers had been very busy in this area, hence all the fallen trees.The trail remained along the river for a little while and was pretty green and lush.Pretty soon I turned off the Reese River Trail and started climbing along the Big Sawmill Creek Trail.The first few minutes of the trail were flooded by Beaver activity, but after that the trail generally stayed high and dry away from the tangle of vegetation near the creek. I noticed these neat alpine flowers as I started to climb higher.Unfortunately I also noticed this little guy trying to hitch a ride on my sock.He died a quick and hopefully painful death between two sharp rocks. All that lush vegetation from earlier must be where I picked up that tick. I continued to climb up the Sawmill Creek drainage, where more wildflowers appeared.It was like nature’s own bouquet! And then some corn lilies appeared, which I hadn’t seen yet on this trail.Near the top of the climb, the stream dwindled to a tiny creek, the lush vegetation disappeared, and some small snowbanks remained from the winter.Looking back down on what I had just hiked up:Near the top of the climb, I joined the official Toiyabe Crest Trail, TCT.I continued another 10 minutes to the top of the climb, where there was a junction to the Arc Dome Summit trail.That pointy peak in the distance is actually 3 miles away, so I chose not to do the 6 mile roundtrip side-quest. But I had a nice break at the trail junction, it was even kinda warm, despite the fact that I was at 11,000 ft elevation.I had a nice long lunch and thoroughly checked myself for ticks, and cleaned out my socks and shoes from all the river crossings. After lunch it was a blissful afternoon of walking along high plateaus and ridgelines.Early on, I came to a snow cornice, which was pretty small and easy to hike through.I was actually carrying microspikes, but they would have been useless here as the snow was so soft and slushy there’s nothing to grip on. Looking back to the little snow cornice I had come down:Some clouds moved in and it became a little windy as I traversed the plateau.On the north- and east-facing slopes, there was a surprising amount of snow remaining.It was extremely enjoyable hiking on a nice trail with amazing views all afternoon.Once I dropped off the initial plateau, I was following ridgelines, usually around an elevation of 10,500ft.My Luna bar was absolutely correct today.There are barely any trees up here at this elevation and the ones that exist seem to be very stunted and gnarled.Some thunder-y looking clouds moved in, and I was glad I was hiking around the peaks and not over them.Just weaving my way through more little peaks.It kind of felt like being back on the PCT in Northern California again, or the Richmond range in New Zealand. Lots of nice trail with never-ending views!When I got to my planned camping spot, I was surprised to see there weren’t any trees, despite it being at a lower elevation of 9,500 ft. It was also insanely windy at Mohawk Canyon saddle, so there was no way I could camp there and so I had to continue hiking. 5 miles later I found myself at a saddle near Marysville Creek Canyon, which was at a slightly lower elevation and had trees. Glorious trees! My late 7:30 arrival at camp meant that after I did all my evening chores, the sun had already set, leaving just this deep red sky remaining.This was by far my favorite day of the entire Hot Springs Trail so far! There’s another 30 miles or so on the Toiyabe Crest, so I look forward to what tomorrow will bring.