I had breakfast with Blakelee, Zach, and Lilly, and then Blakelee hiked a couple miles with me before giving me a hug goodbye and running back.  On the way back she met Geodude, Gaucho, Sunshine, and Moosh and texted me to let me know.  I guess she recognized Sunshine from a picture I took of them and blew them away when she asked “Are you Sunshine?”  😁

It was a frustrating trail around Lake Granby.  A ridiculous number of PUDs (pointless ups and downs).  I have no idea what drugs the trail designers were on, but both Geodude and I were pretty pissed off at the trail. Our theory is that it is following the Rocky Mountain National Park boundary or some survey line instead of contouring according to the topography.  The craziness finally stopped at the end of Lake Granby where we passed Monarch lake and started going up.

I had dinner with Geodude far above Monarch Lake. Geodude is a vet and told me he was hiking the trail with the aid of some sort of military program that helps vets get some new experiences and time for introspection after their service.  I wish him the best.

I decided to camp at 10,000 feet at an abandoned log cabin near a tributary of Mill Creek. Geodude and none other than Wallace were already there. We all talked for a bit, then they continued while I set up camp.  I was sad to see them go, but this place was just too perfect to pass up with a water source just up the trail a short distance.

Darkness was closing and I was cooking my food when a guy walked up the trail. He said “Hello, I’m Ralph” and asked if I mind if he camps here too. I said “Not at all” and introduced myself.  When he came over for the customary fist bump he looked familiar. I stared at him and eventually it clicked. I asked him “Did you used to be called Marco”?  He says “Yes – that’s my name!”, and we had a happy reunion.  Marco is the guy who gave me the cable for my phone that I needed so badly several months ago way back in Montana.  I think about how generous Marco was most times I use it and here he was again! I’m very happy for his company.