I went over Lake Ann Pass this morning. This seemed like a tough one for some reason. There was still snow at the top although it was easily avoided, then it was all the way down the other side. After 10 miles I reached the Mirror Lake Alternate. I’m taking this because it’s slightly shorter and 1500 feet less elevation gain. I can also bushwhack across Texas Creek and save two miles as well. The bushwhack wasn’t too bad after finding a rough path through the willows. There was no way across the creek without getting wet though. This section is the old CDT and I thoroughly enjoyed the first 10 miles. After that it followed an ATV trail that goes all over, including straight up the side of the mountain.
I did 22 miles today. I’m finding that stopping for dinner around 4:30 really gives me some energy for the next few hours. It’s kind of a pain to get the stove out and all, but it’s also a welcome break.
I met several curious and very friendly people today and visited with them for more time than I should have. I do enjoy talking with people about the trail and whatever.
I’m camped near a very rough and unused dirt road in a flat spot near an odd rocky creek. It’s very high, steep, and cold here, but for some reason the rocks in the creek have a lot of black moss with floaties in the water. Finding a deep enough pool without a ton of filter clogging floaties took a while.
Tonight just after dark I was in my tent texting Barb when I started hearing a grunting noise. It got louder and was descending along the creek by my tent. Eventually it was right outside my tent and I could hear what sounded like branches hitting and sliding over antlers. I think it was a moose but I was too tired to bother getting up and checking. Moose, bear, herd of raccoons, whatever. Eventually it moved on.
I saw one CDT hiker named Cargo today. We met somewhere before but neither of us could remember where. He’s a young guy and wanted to do a 30 miler today so we visited for just a little while before going our separate ways.