CHAPTER 115: Death in Hot Springs Canyon.

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Meanwhile, one male and one female, intrepid hikers, are making their way up the trail head of a hot springs canyon. It’s a tough climb; it’s a tough climb as the trail is still muddy from the winter’s rain and hasn’t been cut back on by the forest service since the fall. But they'd wanted to get out for over a month, and they’re experienced, so they plunged along, breaking trail if they had to. Jack, their black lab, races ahead of them, then behind them, then ahead of them again.

They keep to one side of the stream. It’s running full and has been since before Christmas too full and fast to cross. The rocks you’d normally use as stepping stones are either submerged or too slippery to step on. A fall and you'll be wet, cold, and likely injured.

The trail switches back, and they climb in single file, the actual width no more than two feet, barely wide enough to traverse. The dog, Jack, running ahead, is barking loudly, racing up and down in a small circle near where a piece of t