Today was a day of highs and lows on my march toward FR 4062.
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Last night was really cold. They predicted 29 F (-1.7 C). Here’s what I wore to bed: compression sleeves on my arms and legs, running tights, thermal shirt, wool socks, lightweight vest, puffy coat, mittens and a hat. My sleeping quilt is rated to 20 F (-6.7 C) and I put my emergency silver blanket in between. I actually did pretty well like that, although I could have used a scarf and warmer hat. Still, I slept reasonably well.
Got up at 6:15 a.m. and it was still cold. My shoes had frost on them, as did the tent. But things warmed up pretty quickly. I met two guys hiking in the opposite direction. Then I wound up and down grassy hills and, around 11 a.m., came the spot I was waiting for: Kentucky Camp.
Treats En Route to FR 4062!
A guy named Matt Bateman wanted to hike the trail a few years ago, but got injured partway through. He’s still healing. I think it’s an Achilles thing. So he and some friends set up this incredible aid station at Kentucky Camp. What trail angels! They had water, soda, beer and wine; healthy trail snacks and junk food; fuel and more.
I scored some Smart Water, which comes in bottles made to fit Sawyer Squeeze filters, plus some beer, potato chips, a clementine, some energy foods and a Sargento cheese-and-nut-and-craisin pack! (Sargento is a Wisconsin company.)
Everyone was so nice, and they refused donations. Wow. They’re going to set up again another weekend farther up the trail. I hope I meet them again!
Oh No!
Around mid-afternoon, I realized much to my dismay that in my excitement checking out all of the riches at Kentucky Camp, I’d only taken one water bottle. I really needed two bare minimum.
Luckily, I was able to score some water at a not-too-gross cattle tank, although there were lots of dead bees in it.
I had planned to end my day at the tank, but it was only 3:30 p.m. and there were no good camping spots. So I forged ahead toward FR 4062, although I didn’t yet know that was my destination.
Score!
Around 4 p.m. I stumbled upon two gallons of cached water for me! I thought I’d hit them tomorrow, so this was an exciting find. Dumping the bee water, I replaced it with the cached gallons.
Shortly after, I passed up some nice camping spots, figuring I might as well log a few more miles before calling it a day. I was targeting a big wash that, on paper, seemed a good choice. While searching for the big wash, I passed lots of smaller washes with spots that might work, and almost stopped twice, but I pressed on.
Got to the big wash and it was horrendous for camping. Basically a small, rocky canyon. Now I panicked. It was 5:30 p.m. and I had to start setting up camp at 6 p.m. at the latest.
A guy named Wyatt, who I just met today, had left a note in the Guthook app about a nice spot in 1.1 miles (1.8 km) – FR 4062. I busted my butt to get there. Made it around 6 p.m.. It’s actually not that nice. Kind of rocky, with lots of prickly bushes. And lots of cow poop. I learned my lesson. Take a good camping spot when you find it! (But the sunset was awesome, as you can see.)
Snowshoe
22.5 miles (36.2 km) today
94.1 miles (151.4 km) to date
705.9 miles (1,136 km) to go
