August 22, 2024
Mile Marker: 1484.4
Miles Hiked: 23
The morning started with us sleeping in until a little after 7 AM. We didn’t need to be at the trailhead until 9 o’clock so we had plenty of time to spare.
The timing to meet up Matt worked out nicely since we had sent a resupply box to Encampment before we knew it was a hard hitch. We were so incredibly lucky that Matt was able to move things around and help us out with a ride. This was huge for us, such a blessing.
We hiked the two miles down and just before 9 AM, Matt rolls up in his car. I was just so excited to see a familiar face, especially after yesterday, I needed some positivity and that is Matt.
As mentioned previously, Matt was my instructor for a class called boot camp in Overland Park for a few years. He then was David and I’s teammate in my first 24 hour adventure race (That was outrageously cold and quite miserable). Journey put it well, we had spent time suffering together. 😂
Matt got out of his car with a huge smile and we gave each other a big hug. We put our bags in the trunk and headed out to Encampment.
We first needed to get our resupply box, thank you Bunch family for sending for us! Matt knew exactly where to go and took us to a local park where we could spread out and start charging our things.
Once we got organized with our food situation, we ended up having a lot extra so we sent a box to a further along town and then headed to the town of Saratoga. Matt let us know they had better breakfast options as Encampment wasn’t much.
It was the perfect spot. How so incredibly lucky it was to have someone so willing to drive us around wherever we needed. I can’t emphasize it enough, this was such a huge help for Journey and I.
We went to a place called JW Hugus and plugged in our electronics to charge and I ordered a breakfast burrito and cinnamon roll. Both were delicious! The cinnamon roll was a solid 8 out of 10, great flavor and just what I needed.
We spent time reminiscing and sharing about the trail. I had mentioned to Matt about not being sure I’d finish and he confidently, without a hitch, told me I got it and that I can do it.
There’s something so powerful to be around people who know me and who believe in me even when I don’t myself.
After we finished eating we figured it was time we headed back to trail, Journey and I planned a quick in and out since we had just left Rawlins a couple days ago. It worked out even better that Matt had time to kill and was able to drive us around.
On the way out we stopped by a Family Dollar to pick up a fresh bottle of germ x and a new water bottle and headed back to trail.
While driving we spotted Twilight on the side of the road trying to get a hitch back to trail. Since we knew him, Matt pulled over and we let him join us.
The time spent with Matt was short and I always wished for more time with the people I know but it was such a huge help regardless. It was bittersweet saying see ya later.
Us three then headed out for the day. We had hopes to make it 20 miles to the Wyoming/Colorado border and that’s exactly what we did.
It was weird starting out the trail and seeing multiple CDT signs. This was new and I was hoping it would last.
The trail today was filled with being in the mountains with trees. It was such a good feeling.
However, the overcast skies eventually let out rain and we found ourselves putting rain gear on for a bit then taking it off shortly later. Back and forth for majority of the day.
We didn’t get too many views but we definitely noticed big mountains ahead of us and assumed it was Colorado mountains coming up.
In the evening the skies cleared up a little bit and the sun started to set.
We continued into the dark, determined to reach the border.
Around 8:30 we reached the border and found it to be beautifully designed compared to the last one. I don’t have an accurate picture to show it all, but it was so nice!
We took many pictures and then decided to hike on a little bit until we found a campsite. This is a little tricky to do in the dark but we found a semi slanted one and figured it would work out just fine.
I disliked hiking this late but was glad to get the miles in. Now we should be able to get to Steamboat Springs with plenty of time on Sunday.
The thoughts of quitting are still there but I’m trying to take it one day at a time.
Iz and Oz
Izzy + Ozzy 