The evening before I made my third handcart hike at Crater Island I walked out onto the mud flat to see if it were dry enough. I took this picture at the start of that evening walk; I continued for about 1.5 miles. This vegetation extends for about 300 yards, then gives way to wide open mud flat.

The mud was just barely dry and firm enough for a hike. I decided to give it a try, but from prior experience I knew I might encounter enough wet mud to abort the hike.