Day 17- 9/1/18, 16.2 mi, 3532 up, 4591 down
Cottonwood Pass mi 219 to Tincup Pass Rd mi 234.2
The 5 Pass Day
Yep, I guess if you count Cottonwood Pass- the one we started on it would be 6, but we climbed 5 passes/saddles today during the hike! It was really beautiful and spectacular as well as really challenging. This is like the “Epic Day” of the trip. So memorable. We started off at 12,126 and only went below that once! The first Pass was 12,558, then 12750, then 12780, then 12860 then 12490. In between all these passages were drainages that we contoured around and through sometimes loosing 800-1100 feet in the process. It was really tiring, but kind of fun too! You so seldom get to walk above treeline for so long! In fact the only time I walked through the forest today was when I was coming down to Tincup Pass Rd in the afternoon. So that was unusual!
There were storms forecast for the afternoon so we got a good start knowing we had 13-14 miles above treeline to cover. It was cold enough all day that I only took my sweater and vest off in the last two miles. The breeze was chilly! When we left camp this morning there was frost on the plants around the small lake where we camped. We were smart enough to camp 50ft above the lake in the little trees and bushes and had no frost. I took so many pictures today it was crazy!!! Glad I’ve done today’s hike, but not sure if I want to do it again. Maybe.
Forecast for tomorrow is similar but higher chance of rain. Also slightly colder. Same miles planned for tomorrow, but looks like only two passes!! And both are 12,350 and below! Makes it sound like a cakewalk ha! Then about 10 miles in to Monarch Pass the last day! Then I get to see Casey! That’s what I want now! So ready!
Most thankful for …. that the weather held for us to get through the whole 16 miles before it clouded up and started thundering. We were in camp by 4 this afternoon, but the trail just climbs back up above treeline with in 2 miles and it was looking stormy and thundering so we didn’t go any farther today. Also thankful I felt pretty good this morning after kind feeling pretty blah yesterday.
I saw God today….. all day long. We had God’s view today for sure!! I will remember this day hike for the rest of my life. Amazing!
What I ate for supper… Three sisters stew, I added some dehydrated beef I had made and it was really good!
Quote of the day…. This view is amazing! Said over and over again.
What I learned today…the people who build these trails are amazing!! Especially the ones through the scree fields. I can’t imagine how long that these trails took to build!
Most favorite part of the day… topping out at each and every saddle or Pass. Every time you did you had a new view. Pretty fun!
Least favorite part of the day…hanging around camp after 4. I wanted to move on but there was nowhere to go but back above treeline. I didn’t feel the best and don’t really like our camp. I was bored and kind of lonely wanting to talk with people and there was nobody. So I took a walk back up the trail and a couple came in and had set up camp about a quarter of a mile back. We talked for probably half an hour. That was fun!
Most useful gear of the day… being mentally tough knowing what was coming and just embracing it.
Food of the day… whatever I could shove in my mouth. I don’t really have that much of an appetite right now, but just get draggy if I don’t eat.
Song of the day… What a Beautiful Name It Is! This song got me up several passes!!