Woke up this morning to cold and fog along Lujan Creek. Everything I dried out last night was wet/damp again. Rats. But the trail angels had pancakes and fruit for breakfast, so I gobbled it up. Just when I was going to pack up my soggy tent, the sun popped out and a breeze picked up. I decided to heck with the miles, I wanted a dry tent! Grizel felt the same.
So we stayed in camp until about 9 a.m., when our tents were dry. Ahhh!
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Leaving Lujan Creek Behind
The day turned out to be amazing for two reasons: there was a lot of downhill, plus the path was largely gravel and farm roads versus trail. My pace was noticeably faster. Everyone else I encountered today felt the same way.
Sure, there still were some steep uphills and, in a few places, lots of rocks. But overall it was SUCH a great break from the last three days. Since I was making such great time, I decided to tack on 3 miles (4.8 km) to my itinerary in the hopes that would help me make the trailhead and Lake City on Sunday – something I’d thought was totally out of reach.
Day Is Done
Pick of the Litter passed me today (met him last night); he’d left two hours after me and still caught up by 2 p.m.! But he’s young, a guy and used to the elevation. I also saw Chongo, a guy I met at the Salida Hostel. Everyone is gunning for Sunday night in Lake City.
Found a sweet campsite under two pine trees tonight. We’d had no rain 
all day – yeah! – but now it’s raining again. RATS.
More bad news. I’d thought I was in good shape for Lake City if I could crank out 18 miles (29 km) the next two days. Well, 18 miles tomorrow would put me atop a 12,000-foot peak (3,668 m), and there’s no way I’ll camp atop a peak. So I’d have to hike more like 20 miles (32.2 km) to get a little down the other side.
I can’t fathom I’d make good time hiking 10 miles (16.1 km) uphill (the first miles are relatively flat), so who knows what will happen. And, of course, there’s also the weather to consider.
Some Tears
Today would have been my father’s 90th birthday. I was hiking on the North Country Trail when he passed away in May, and now I’m hiking again on his birthday. I’m sad, but hiking always helps me process things.
Snowshoe
Today’s Miles: 19.3 (31.1 km)
CDT Miles to Date: 542.3 (872.8 km)
CDT Miles to Go: 2,557.7 (4,116.2 km)
