95 degrees in the shade at Pacheco Camp at 19h.

I've obviously acclimated to the heat during this trip. If it's 95 down here in the shade now, it must have been over 100 in the midday sun while I was up on the ridge. But it didn't occur to me that it might be another triple-digit day.

A bit before sundown, a small pick-up truck drives past and heads up Pacheco Creek Trail. Shortly after, I hear voices and can see two men wearing Camelbaks, but no backpacks, over by the horse camp. They disappear, but a few minutes later the pickup trucks passes by camp again, apparently leaving. The driver sees me in the tent peering out and waves.

Supper tonight is Mountain House Beef Stew, good as always with its rubbery carrot, meat and potato pieces.

Around 20h30, a vehicle passes through camp and it turns out to be a ranger on patrol. We speak for about 15 minutes, the first time I've spoken to anyone in five days. I notice that my speech is rapid, so I guess this is an exciting event for me. She tells me that it was 102 degrees at Park Headquarters today and gives me a couple of 1/2 litre bottles of water.

Continue to Ride from Pacheco Camp to China Hole.