July 24th
I broke camp fairly quickly. As I was doing so, Kimchee, one of the group of 4 fast, young hikers, went past. She was the source of the footprints I saw yesterday morning. She was off like a rocket and I only saw her briefly as the trail climbed up. I could tell this was not heavily explored because instead of fancy names, the mountains were called “Red Conglomerate” and “Knob.”
I ran in to two northbounders this morning. They seemed pretty happy to be in their last state.
Also, came across a huge old tree near a developed spring. My guess was a 12 foot circumference. Old trees are so majestic.
My nemesis, meadows, caused me to get off trail again. I knew where I wanted to go, so I bushwhacked and followed game trails. I learned the hard way that stingin nettles were now coming into strengtth along wet areas. If youve never felt them, it is like fiberglass or scratchy wool that stings your skinn. So now the mosquitos and flies had competition.
I eventually got back on trail and saw the other three members of the group of 4 were just ahead of me. I caught up to them during their rest period. We were all about to ascend from water up to distinct ridgelines for the next 10 miles.
No individual element was to blame, but the hot dry air, the wind, and the constant up 600 feet/ down 600 feet all combined to wipe me out. The views and the geology were a pleasant distraction. Expansive views in all directions. Also, the ridges were mostly round, smooth stone. I could not figure out if we were walking across large glacial morraines or if this had been old river bed thrust up. I wished I could carry about 10 pounds of these egg shaped rocks with me.
At the end of the day, I chose, once again, to not take the alternate that got to water sooner. I took the official route (which was clearly not a popular choice judging by the tread). I came across two male mule deer grazing in the sunset. I also caught the interest of a coyote family just getting ready for the night. I don’t know if this is common, but one parent took off in one direction with the smallest pup following while the rest of the pack went slowly and obviously in the opposite direction. I went all the way to the edge of the public land and camped next to the barbed wire fence that held back a herd of cattle. I fell asleep to the sounds of cows and coyotes.
backpacking over the hill 