Days 23&24 Miles 266.1-302.7

Day 23 Start: 266.1 End: 280.5 Total: 14.4

Had another relaxed morning, making a nice egg filled breakfast and chugging as much coffee as a single pour over would allow. We helped Sami take a load from her camp to the dump then she dropped us off at the trailhead. 

I started walking and then 10 minutes later the trail went across the road to the dump we had just been at! It was a steady climb from there with very little snow in the trail. It was a cold start but I warmed up quickly.  It felt great to be back on trail!

I hiked a bit on and off with lucky chatting and we passed one of his friends he had been hiking with, Goldfish, a French guy from Paris, napping in the shade. About 9 miles in we stopped at a stream and ran into his other friend Kindheart, a hiker from San Diego. They had all been hiking together pretty much from the start. I filled up my water, had a quick lunch and was off!

We all hiked at our own pace and all independently took a wrong turn. The trail makes a sharp right turn but if you’re not paying attention it’s easy to keep going straight, on another trail that takes you 2000 feet lower and 2.5 miles off trail. I caught my mistake quickly, realizing that I shouldn’t be heading towards the lake but should be heading west. I turned around and saved Kindheart from going all the way down. We hiked and chatted for a bit on the way to our planned campsite. 

We got to a spot that was descent enough to call home for the night and set up our things. Goldfish came about an hour or so later and Lucky maybe 2. Goldfish realized his mistake and corrected early on, Lucky didn’t realize until the very bottom of that other trail and was very disappointed. He goes by KIKI on this trail so not very lucky indeed. 

Day 24 start: 280.5 end: 302.7 total 22.2

I awoke, had breakfast and was out on trail by 7:30, before any of the other hikers had left their tents. There was some snowy spots in the beginning but nothing too bad. The night before was below freezing and my hose that I drink water out of had frozen solid and stayed that way most of the morning. 

I did a really slow, easy going 5 miles and got to where I would fill up water. Upon dropping my pack and checking I realized I still had plenty left due to my hose being frozen. I did another 6/7 miles then was walking along another river. I found a nice little hidden cove and took a dip in my own private waterfall. I ate lunch near by the stream, filtered some water and was on my way again.

I passed by Lucky eating at a stream further on, said hello and continue on. He had planned on blowing up his inflatable pad and putting it in the river so he could find the hole in it as it kept deflating throughout the night.

I was in such a good mood after my little swim, I plugged some music in and jammed out for 5 or so miles. I soon crossed a cool wooden bridge , spanning over another larger river. I took a snack and stretch break on the bridge before continuing on. Soon after passed a marker announcing 300 miles of trail walked! I planned on going to a spot a few miles further that would make it a 20 mile day. Or at least getting water there before finding a spot.

After this bridge the trail began following along the deep creek river through a canyon. The trail cut the steep ascent from the river in half. So the trail had a steep decline to the water and incline to the top, leaving little to no room where one could camp. My feet were killing me and I was excited to stop for the day. When I got to the spot I had intended to stop at, I was disappointed. There was a road that people could ride ATVs in on and seemed to be a popular party spot, with broken glass everywhere. It was a Friday night and I didn’t want to wait around to see if the party would arrive so I got some more water and went on. 

After a couple more miles, I found a tiny little cove where there was barely enough room for me to cowboy camp, but it was good enough. Lucky passed by and said hello and soon after Kindheart did too, hiking on until they found a cove of their own. It was a beautiful view overlooking the canyon and I slept wonderfully.