We had another very early start to beat the flies. Gaucho and I had breakfast together a couple miles from camp and watched the sun rise before beginning a long stretch without water (16 miles). The Teton range is visible off in the far distance. We climbed switchbacks to a ridge at 9600 feet where it followed a long, very wide abandoned mining road. I think it’s a mining road because it is so wide and gradual. I eventually got frustrated with the very shallow grade and cut the switchbacks going up.
Eventually we descended and I missed the turnoff to the Macs Inn Alternate and ended up going steeply downhill for 3/4 mile. This always irritates me. You look at Guthooks and your position is way off trail, and your heart just sinks. Now I had to go back up the steep trail. The turnoff was at Lillian Lakes. For some reason I went the other way.
After passing the beautiful Lillian lake, the trail becomes unofficial as you start the Macs Inn Alternate. Essentially you are on your own as you try to navigate past the willows surrounding Hell Roaring creek. After some trial and error I found the unofficial trail which stays high and to the left (north of the creek). It was difficult to see the trail sometimes, but eventually I made it past the 3 mile stretch. It was during this section that I met my old New Mexico friends Link and Raps coming the other way. They were pure Nobo, having toughed their way through Colorado. I was sad to say goodbye but we are headed in opposite directions and the clock is ticking for all of us.
The bushwhack follows Hell Roaring Creek to it’s headwaters and then goes over a pass where I ripped my wind pants on a branch. They are mega ripped and probably not savable. Sigh. Maybe I can patch them with Leukotape.
Lightening and downpours eventually caught up with me. It was during this time that I evidently passed Gaucho’s tent without realizing it. The next thing I knew I was headed down a wide dirt road. I decided to camp between some switchbacks just off the road. I hadn’t seen any traffic and figured it would be quiet. Big mistake. This road is used a lot and the cars and trucks made a lot of racket until quite late in the night. Oh well. Hopefully the cars will taper off soon. I don’t know what the attraction is up there on a late Sunday night. Maybe it’s the local make out spot? 🙂