September 15th, 2024
Mile Marker: 1978.1
Miles Hiked: 28
We woke up around 6 AM today since we wanted to cover more ground and try for around 28 miles. Despite it being rather chilly out, we got moving.
Journey and I were the first to head out around 7:30. We were cold and needed to get moving quickly. Once we got out of the valley and into the sun, we instantly felt better.
We stopped 2 miles in, to decide where we wanted to get our next water. We could either carry for 20 miles or 8ish if we wanted to take an off trail path down to a lake.
We decided the one in 8 was the better option and fueled up and headed out.
Rain was on the forecast today and started showing dark clouds around 10.
We were all hoping it would hold off. Around noon we arrived at the lake alternate and saw a sign that said the lake was .5 down the trail. Crap. We could see from the topo lines that it was a steep descent. Us hikers will do everything we can to not hike extra miles, especially when a big day was planned.
We decided while eating lunch that we would risk it for a potential water source in 4 miles. There was a chance it would be dried up, but if we walked down a valley we believed we could find water. We all had enough water from the previous source to get us there. No extra miles for us!
We hiked on and the dark clouds decided it was time to let the rain go. It started raining then we got a soft mix of rain and snow along with thunder.
We ran across a couple CT hikers and made small talk. Doing a CT thru hike is still a huge feat. Colorado is not easy no matter what time of the year you do it, you will always have to worry about weather.
Thankfully the storm passed through and we took back off our rain gear. It was going to be one of those days.
I always prefer these days over getting dumped on all day.
The sun came back out and heated us up quickly. Majority of the day was in the trees with minimal views. In the late morning Journey and I finished his book which we both really liked. At the end he discussed the challenge with following one’s dreams, especially in athletics.
I then listened to music on and off, not particularly craving to listen to any one thing.
We leaped frogged with Mosey and Chef today which I was happy with. We enjoy having them around as well.
We passed a man doing a section of the CDT and he mentioned when he saw his first sobo which was in New Mexico and was shocked to hear that there is a group of 6 of us traveling together. He mentioned all he had seen was people traveling solo and a couple.
I felt proud of this, and our tramily. We work well together and are making our way together. Even if most people aren’t traveling in a bigger group, I’m glad we were.
We spent most of the day seeing dark clouds roll in and would chance walking in the rain as it sprinkled in hopes it wouldn’t start pouring. Most of the time it would let up and sometimes it would rain more, we would put on rain gear, and then the rain would stop. It’s almost funny how often this happens.
Majority of the day was up and down on rocks. All of us could feel our feet getting sore. Then around 5 we came out on a gravel road which hurts as well but was beautiful with the setting sun.
We ended the day with a shortcut bushwhack up a hill then once rejoined with the CDT had a last steep incline up to camp.
My legs are definitely tired from the long day and climbs and descents but as long as I can get some sleep I’ll be alright.
The forecast is predicting rain all day tomorrow which we are not looking forward to, however tomorrow is flat and at lower elevation so I think it won’t be too hard.
We got to camp later than usual around 7:45 but I didn’t feel too concerned, it was still a decent time, we just had to eat with our headlamps. Thankfully it wasn’t too cold at this lower elevation!
Today was a good day. Long but good.
Iz and Oz
Izzy + Ozzy 