Day 16- 8/31/18, 12.1 mi, 3200ft elevation
207 Illinois Creek to 219.1 Cottonwood Pass
We hiked through some heavily wooded areas with lots of willows this morning. And, of course, we saw a moose! Michaela’s first one. We watched it for awhile so that was fun. There was a cow moose in there as well but hard to see. The trail headed steeply down to a valley that we walked up the middle part of the day. There were cattle and I got all excited to see them. Then as we headed up Cottonwood Pass the afternoon thunderstorms started brewing and we didn’t make it as far today as we had hoped. We stopped and hiked back to a few more trees and set up our tents thinking we were just about to get dumped on. We waited there 30 min or so and never did. So we finally packed up and climbed the pass. We got to the pass around 3:30, but there were dark clouds and rain all around us on the peaks. The hiking past here is very exposed so we decided to halt, although we had planned to go several miles farther. However, the view from our camp has been amazing and we have really enjoyed it. We have basically sat out there eating, stretching, and just taking it in – at least while its not raining. It rained on us several more times that evening. Anyway, today I am a bit draggy with a bit of an upset stomach and don’t feel the best.
As of right now 42.5 into Monarch Pass! I am so excited to see Casey I keep trying to figure out if I can push two huge days to see him the 2nd. Tomorrow will tell! This hike has been fun, challenging, and beautiful. I have meet some super cool People I will remember forever, but I am ok to be done for now too. I keep reminding myself that it will all be over soon and to enjoy every minute!!
Most thankful for …. a beautiful camp site. The view from our camp at Cottonwood Pass is pretty amazing. Not sure exactly where we are looking but it’s forever and ever. I think towards Aspen and the Maroons but I could be wrong.
I saw God today….. the hike up Cottonwood Pass was long, but beautiful above treeline hiking was fun.
What I ate for supper…Mac and cheese with bacon bits!
What I learned today… to be ok with waiting it out. It was a bit stormy this afternoon so we set up tents and waited out a thunder storm….which never hit us. Not that I am complaining. But it put us behind schedule and for this next 16 mi there’s it a lot of options. So we climbed the pass and caped at a small lake by the new road they are building. The view is amazing. Several small rain storms passed over us as we tried to eat and sat admiring the view. So, tomorrow will be a long day, hoping it goes well and we can hack it! It ought to be really beautiful! Ridge walking and passes all day.
Most favorite part of the day…the evening as we relaxed and admired the view. I think this might be my favorite one if the trip. I almost feel as if I came on this trip for this evening!
Least favorite part of the day… the walk through the meadows during the middle of the day. I was so tired and not feeling well and it seemed to drag on forever. Plus I felt kind of claustrophobic ready to get out of there for some reason. Anxious about the climb I think.
Most useful gear of the day…tent, protection from the storms! The tent has really proved very useable and easy to set up and take down quickly.
Food of the day…I didn’t really want to eat anything today, but the Mac and cheese was ok.
Song of the day…had multiple songs running through my head. Beautiful Name was there a lot though.
Fun Story… So, last night we got there late and I slept pretty well until about 11:30 or so and this Massive crashing through the trees and brush about 10-20 yards fro the tents. Not sure what it was but pretty sure it was several moose, heard them talking just a bit and then today, this morning, saw a bull and cow foraging a couple miles from camp. We stopped to watch the for a few minutes. They kind of talked a bit like what I thought I heard last night. Anyway, there were several crashes last night and I of course heard them all! But apparently Michaela did not! She says something woke her up but she wasn’t sure what it was or if it was anything so she just went back to sleep!!! So crazy! I thought we were gonna get run over there for a minute. Amazingly, I prayed and just decided it was ok. Then I went back to sleep – Ha! Success!