There were so many good things about today!

First, we turned off the alarm and just woke up when we were good and ready (7am).  Well, I was almost ready to get up - I had been in the middle of a dream and was just about to find out if I was going to get my jacket back when Nick woke me up, but since I woke up rested I wasn’t too put out that he shook me awake.  (Still, it would have been nice to know if I got my jacket back or not.) :)

While it was strange to not drink our warm beverages and eat breakfast in the tent before packing up as we’ve done all trail, I didn’t mind packing up first and then heading over to the designated cooking area to drink our warm beverages and eat breakfast because we had a chance to chat with the other hikers.  It’s a new routine to get used to but we are good at adapting.  I’d say we stayed too long, but it was a ‘short’ day so there wasn’t a rush.

Second, we went up and over two passes today (Pitamaken and Tripple Divide) and the views were great.  Again, if it wasn’t for the smoke in the air the views would have been spectacular, but that’s ok (I guess).  It wasn’t easy going up or down either pass but that’s nothing new. 

Pitamakan Pass:

Triple Divide Pass:

Third, there were bridges in all the right places, to include two suspension bridges (my favorite to walk across - they are so fun).  Yellowstone could learn a thing or two from Glacier, that’s for sure.  

Fourth, I fell in love with the section of Red Eagle Creek by the second suspension bridge - the water there was so beautiful that I wanted to go for a swim.  

Fifth, once we got to camp (we are the only ones here!), a young moose came by and has been in the area all evening.  

Sixth, I’ll be in bed before 8 AND since we only have to hike ~15 miles tomorrow, we get to sleep in again.  This is how hiking should be all the time.  :)

Other things to note:

I bumped into a three fellow thru-hikers.  One, Hurricane, who I think I met in NM, did a little flip and is now going SOBO.  It was fun to chat with him and take a little break from going up Pitamakan Pass.  The other two hikers were fellow NOBOs I bumped into about 3 miles from camp - they were also fun to talk to.  They didn’t get permits and have been stealth camping through the park.  I get it - permitting can be a huge pain - but still…. I hope they don’t get caught.

Oooh!  There are more moose in the lake now!  A mom and her calf have come for dinner.  It is so much fun to watch them!  :)

Along the trail:

Camp: