September 16th, 2024
Mile Marker: 2005.8
Miles Hiked: 28
We woke up this morning around 6 AM and started getting ready. We knew there was a chance of rain starting this morning and wanted to get out before it. Right around 7:20 we started to hear sprinkling on our tent. Ut Oh. Thankfully it didn’t last long and we were able to get packed up before anything serious.
The first part of today was along a gravel road. The dark clouds gave a weird feeling to the morning. Like it was way later in the day than 9 AM.
We came out into open clearings and saw rain off in the distance and would brace for it to come out then it would frequently fizzle and go another direction. I had fingers crossed this would happen all day, but knew that it was unlikely.
There was a stretch of today that reminded Journey and I of the Great Basin in Wyoming due to the gravel road that extended far out into the distance. Today’s terrain was pretty flat and cruisey with occasional bumps and then a gradual long climb at the end to camp.
Around 11 we made it to a water source 12 miles in when the rain started coming down. We were huddled under a tree taking a short break and I decided it was time to bust out the big, red poncho and see how it would work. It was quite hilarious how huge it was over me and if Whatever and I were side by side in our rain gear we looked like ketchup and mustard. 😂
I felt silly in it but once out in the rain, I loved it! I was able to bring my hands inside and get warm and once I was, I could poke them out and start using my trekking poles.
Surprisingly, I became extremely hot, it was as if I was wearing a sauna suit. I kept trekking away though because it was still raining and I wanted to make it into the trees.
Once we did we all took off layers since we didn’t want to overheat. We then found a nice big tree with shelter to eat our lunch. The rain also decided to stop which I was so thankful for. I just despise being cold and wet, I think we all do no?
We noticed some aspens today that were a deep orange instead of the yellow we have seen. I am always in awe of the aspens when changing colors. They provide such a pop of color, it’s gorgeous!
Around 2:30, the sun finally started to show and some blue sky even peaked in! Immediately we all started taking off more layers and wearing our normal hiking gear for the first time of the day.
The clouds were wild looking, it was such a sight today.
The rain came back and we eventually put back on our rain gear and continued. It was nonstop day of rain gear on and off again. Around 4:20 the rain had just lightened up and I turned around to Aster looking at the sky and a giant rainbow above her.
Little by little it became fuller and more vibrant in color. I was in love. Journey also thought it was perfect for me to take a picture with just as I had done on the AT at Max Patch.
Afterwards the rain had subsided, we were filled with excellent views of the valley and aspens. I felt like I was walking through a painting.
We eventually came to a trailhead and started chatting with a man named Rick. He is from Denver and was out fly fishing for the week in what felt like the middle of nowhere. He mentioned meeting a hiker a couple days ago who goes by the name Captain and was able to give him some food. We all smiled since we knew who he was talking about.
He then asked if we needed any water or anything. We shook off the water and I yelled out “Do you have any brownies??” He laughed and excitedly said he had Chips Ahoy cookies as he desperately wanted to give us something. We all said we would take some. He went to his car and also brought out peanut butter M&Ms.
He was incredibly generous and we all dug in, demolishing the food and he even gave us his last elk jerky that was delicious!! I kept thinking my dad would have loved it. So tasty!
We chatted about our hike and told him our trail names and said “Aw, I want a trail name too!” We laughed. He was such a sweet gentleman and we were so appreciative because we were all lacking energy and feeling so tired.
We then felt hyped up on kindness and sugar and finished off the next 4 miles to camp.
The camp area is not ideal at all due to rain coming and there are no trees to put our tent under. But we made do and quickly made dinner.
There is 30% chance of rain all night and thunderstorms and rain coming tomorrow. I feel nervous about getting out in weather like that so hopefully it isn’t too bad and we can stay safe when we get up high and exposed.
Pray for us!
Goodnight,
Iz and Oz
Izzy + Ozzy 