So today’s highlight, if you want to call it that, was hitting Beehive Well. Actually, before I discuss that, let’s go back to last night. When we went to bed last night, we thought it would be pleasantly cool. Wrong! It got cold again. I had to add layers and my emergency blanket.
Reveille was 5:45 a.m. It was still cold out and our tents were wet. But we got our butts in gear and were on the trail by 7:30.
Unparalleled Beauty En Route to Beehive Well
The morning hike was gorgeous. There were more wildflowers; in some areas they formed a thick, yellow carpet. There were also pink and purple flowers; wish I knew what I was seeing!
We saw all sorts of different cacti, too. Some were purple, others looked like green beans. Who knew there were so many different kinds?
Things Heat Up
Around noon, the strong, cool breeze disappeared. And it got hot. This section of the trail is known to be brutal because it’s totally exposed and there’s little water. We were feeling it!
The terrain got less fun, too. The trail often had huge rocks or slippery gravel, and it wasn’t as pretty. Well, that’s not quite true. While the adjacent vegetation wasn’t as nice, the vistas all day were spectacular! The land just spreads out as far as the eye can see, and there are mountains in the distance in every direction.
One mountain in particular caught my eye. It was by itself in the distance, yet we kept winding toward it. Wonder if I’ll end up climbing it?!
Water, Finally
There are two spots with water in this 30-mile section of trail. One is a cow tank we never found. The other is the famous Beehive Well. Perhaps you can guess how it got that moniker. Yes, Beehive Well was full of yellow-green water and bees. Yum! NOT! We each took some water to filter, but I’m hoping I can make do with what I have before hitting 
the next trailhead tomorrow so I can dump this out. That trailhead is about six miles away.
Anyway, Amy was really feeling the heat at Beehive Well (which is actually a big tank). We had just three miles to go to our camp, but she was wiped. It was the heat, terrain and the fact that she was probably hauling 40 pounds in her pack.
Why so much? She had a two-person tent and extra eating gear for Diana. Who, of course, decided not to hike/camp.
I carried her tent and water the last bit to help, and we set up camp about a half-mile sooner than planned. We’re in a sandy wash, which seemed great when I chose it, except there are lots of cactus and prickly shrubbery right next to our doors.
What will tomorrow bring?
Snowshoe
P.S. I saw four rabbits today. Three were big, but one was ginormous! Too cool.
17.6 miles today
190.7 miles to date
609.3 miles to go
