August 20th, 2024
Mile Marker: Sage Creek Road
Miles Hiked: 31
Journey and I woke around 6 AM and started getting ready. It was later than we originally wanted but sleep in a comfy bed is hard to leave. Today was going to be hot and we wanted every advantage we could take to get out before it.
We ate some bagels we got from the grocery store and grabbed some coffee from the nearby shop. Around 7:30 we headed out and walked down the Main Street of town to reconnect to the CDT.
The trail actually had some markers on the sidewalk and led us through some back street neighborhood towns.
On the edge of town we ran into a few deer that didn’t give us any mind. They stared but were not afraid at all, so neat how that happens.
Today we decided to take a road walk alternate instead of the trail since we were told the trail is very similar to what we came down on, no trail, no water, no shade for a very long stretch, roughly 25 miles worth of carrying water.
The road however, we were told had water at 14 miles in and a cache 25 miles in. This sounded way better plus we could go a lot faster on the road too.
So we set out on the road knowing very well by the end of today, our legs were going to hurt.
The miles seemed to fly by and around 11 AM Journey and I decided to stop by a cross road so he could start cold soaking his lunch. As we did, we noticed a Gatorade trail magic like we had seen coming down the other end. Score!! How lucky was that, they were sort of hidden so we relayed the message to some of the hikers behind us; Captain, Stove, and Columbus.
We continued and after an hour a couple bike packing the divide route slowed down and started chatting with us. They were from New Zealand and told us about their trip, gear, and the Te Araroa (The big thru hike in their neck of the woods). We didn’t expect them to really hang around since they can go so much faster but it was neat to walk for a few miles with them coasting along.
After 20 or so minutes they decided to continue on and we all wished each other the best on the rest of our trips.
After an hour we came across Miller Creek where we could resupply our water and have lunch.
There wasn’t much shade but we found a little behind a bush and with an umbrella, it worked out. However we were sitting on pokey stuff and weren’t super comfortable but it would do. Sometimes you just gotta make things work.
We were then extremely shocked when we came across a blue cooler that was loaded with pop and water. Double score! Most of the comments before us had said the cooler was empty so we were very lucky it had been restocked. While grabbing a Gatorade, a man who was working in the area asked if anything was in it and said if there wasn’t he was going to offer us water. He then chatted with us about trail and said can I ask you guys something. He had ideas of setting up a place along this road for an off road indoor facility but to also cater to thru hikers with everything we want, showers, place to charge etc. we told him it was a fantastic idea, I’ll be curious to see if it happens.
We then hiked along and the sun got hot and our legs got tired. Pavement hurts our legs and feet so much worse than trail.
We stopped on the side of the road to filter more water and ended up taking a longer break to lay under our umbrellas and shut our eyes for a little. Just needed some time off our feet.
After a while we kept moving and started climbing a little.
We finished Brene Brown’s book, Braving the Wilderness and both really enjoyed it. She talked about the concept of human connection and collective joy, how we all need this. How we need to show up for each other, in person.
Around 6 we made it to the famous water cache that was under a tarp and in ice water! Wild! Ice cold water, on a hot hot day. Pure magic.
We then had a couple more miles to a trailhead that had privies and picnic tables. What more do ya need.
We found a relatively flat spot, ate, and got ready for bed.
My legs are currently twitching and uncomfortable but I’m hoping with some stretching they will get better. Only 6 or so miles left on pavement tomorrow then we should be reconnected to CDT!
Hoping for some sleep.
Iz and Oz
Izzy + Ozzy 