We slept in until 7, which was great because we both really needed the rest. However, then we only had two hours to get everything sorted before Janelle (the camp host) took us to the trail at 9.
First things first - get coffee. We attempted to get some from the bagel place just a few blocks from the RV park, but they didn’t open until 8. So, instead, we went back to Chillin’, which was right next door. I was not at all surprised to see Tom there (the man who gave us a ride into town yesterday). In addition to each of us getting a large latte, we ordered the breakfast tacos to split and sat with Tom while we ate. It was great chatting with him again.
With all the caffeine in us, it didn’t take too long at all to get packed up and ready to go. While I was sending Theresa the last blog post, Nick went back to the bagel place after it finally opened to get us some sandwiches for dinner (it’s not Mary’s fault that we were short one dinner, I think we updated the spreadsheet with our slower mountain pace after she sent this package). Apples came with the sandwiches, so that meant I packed out TWO.
The drive to Spring Creek Pass was long and slow. The slow part was good, since Nick, Woodpecker, and I all sat in the very back of the van and all of us get carsick. The long part was NOT good (since all of us get carsick). We all survived, but I was very relieved to get out of the van.
Unsurprisingly, hikers were at the pass, trying to hitch to Lake City. In the group of hikers was Cody and Bodhi!!! It was so great seeing them again that I gave them both hugs - I know they will catch up to us very soon. We also saw Captain, Mouse, and Cheetah, too. Fun times. :)
Before hiking out, I ate one of my apples. I’m not sure if it was the caffeine or the apple or both, but once I started hiking I felt great and killed the uphill (who am I kidding, it was definitely the three shots of espresso in my large latte). After the uphill, we got to hike on a plateau for a while, which was nice because it was flat and fast.
It was also nice up there because The Wind has lost some of its chill (it’s not warm but it’s getting there!) and there was rain all around me. It was cool to see the rain from a distance - luckily, I barely got sprinkled on. (Nick, who was behind me, said he got stuck in some heavy sleet for a while). It even thundered twice, but nothing serious. The first time it thundered was barely anything, but the second time it thundered it was a lot louder and I laughed with glee. While being on top of a mountain during a thunderstorm probably wouldn’t be fun, I do love thunderstorms. Alas, since there was only two thunderclaps and it wasn’t really storming, I still can’t read my “After the first thunderstorm” Happy Trails letter. Bummer. :)
I made it to our first meeting spot by 2 and enjoyed almost a full hour of eating (to include my second apple of the day), stretching, and semi-napping. It was great at the time, but trying to get my hiking momentum back after such a long break was tough.
The trail was also tough. While the first big uphill of the day felt easy, making me think I’m finally starting to acclimate to the elevation, the last three uphills humbled me. I do not know who designed that section of trail but I do not agree with their choice to forgo switchbacks. Going straight up and then straight down and then straight up again was a little much - at one point I decided the trail designer must be a sadist. I used the ridiculously steep uphills as an opportunity for some interval training, walking uphill for 25 breaths and then stopping to rest for 10 breaths. It seemed to take forever, but I made it. The third uphill wasn’t quite as long, but I still had to count breaths to get to the top. And when I had to go down again I counted my breaths then, too, because I wanted to slow my breathing and give myself something to focus on.
As I walked down the hill, I could see our planned stopping point for the day - there were already hikers there. I stayed by the stream, purifying water, while Nick scoped out the situation. Even though there was room for more, the two guys at the campsite didn’t seem willing to share. Which is ok, I suppose. Nick found a decent campsite a little lower down and we settled in. (We could have walked on to try to find something else, but I knew there was a hiker just ahead of us so he’d most likely be taking the next decent site.)
About an hour later, as we were eating our delicious sandwiches, we could see more hikers coming down the hill - basically everyone we rode to the trailhead with (G-String, Woodpecker, Onion, Chany, and Sledge). They were hoping to camp here, too, and it was interesting to see how they handled not having a site. I wondered if the two guys hogging the good site at the trail would finally share, but nope (I don’t think they are thru-hikers because thru-hikers would at least offer to share). Chany, Onion, and Sledge are camping on the hill above us (they are all single tents so they can probably fit). We watched G-String scope out the situation from the top of the hill - he found a campsite for himself and Woodpecker just across the river from us. It’s actually fun to be able to see their tent on the next ridge.
What’s not fun is having so many hikers out here. In town I like it, but when I’m out in the wilderness I don’t want to have to worry about so many people on the trail. We just passed the spot where hikers who decided to take the Creede Cutoff rejoined the redline, so there are more hikers out here. I’m sure we’ll get spaced out again, I just hope it’s sooner than later. Having to vie for camping spots isn’t fun.
Along the trail:
Camp:
