In spite of the driving challenges (see previous photo), I reached the mud flat of Crater Island unscathed. My hope was that the mud would be dry and smooth, the best surface for walking with a handcart or for driving.

I was prepared to attempt another handcart hike out to the end of Crater Island (the handcart was in my roof cargo box), but it was not meant to be. The mud seemed dry enough---at least where I walked on it---but it was anything but smooth. Most of it was covered with a crunchy crust of mud and salt that had the appearance of blisters or eruptions. Walking on it was uncomfortable and would have slowed down handcart travel too much.

The only other way to get to where I wanted to go was to drive, but I had doubts about the mud's moisture content, making driving riskier than I could accept. Getting stuck in the mud out here was unthinkable.

I took this picture during a two-mile test walk.