Lots of people on the trail to Millard Falls in the Angeles Forest on Saturday, June 3.

The earth was wet and muddy. The air was clean and fresh. The water — snowmelt from a faraway mountain — was cold.

The trail runs along a stream to a waterfall.

A dog walking in the stream jumped back on the trail after a few seconds, cold water and mud dripping from its fur.

The rocks were slippery. People lined up waiting to cross the stream.

A Buddhist monk in a brown robe walked a few feet up the trail and crossed effortlessly. I followed him. He pointed to his stepping stones and said Here. Here. Here. 

We laughed as I jumped off the last one to the other side.