What a day. Had a sweet campsite last night near Ant Creek and slept well. Up extra early to try and make it either just shy of the Organ Mountain-San Luis saddle (12,374 feet / 3,771.6 m) or just over the other side. That would put me in good shape to make it to the trailhead Sunday.
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The day started out cloudy and cool. I passed Chongo and his friend, David, who were packing up their camp. But they quickly caught up and passed me. The trail suddenly tumbled us into this beautiful valley for several miles. It was easy hiking and just gorgeous, although there was a headwind.
At one point, I couldn’t figure out where the trail went, despite my app. Thank goodness David was just ahead; he showed me we needed to cross this rushing river, where there normally was a bridge. I asked if he’d wait to make sure I got across safely, and he did. And I did!
Leaving Ant Creek Far Behind
After that, I decided to stop and dry my feet and wring out my socks. No sense risking blisters. Not too long after I did that, we had to cross back over! But this time I was able to walk across on some logs and keep my feet dry.
At one point, the trail was on the side of a hill and slippery with gravel. It was nerve-wracking in several parts, but I was OK. Shortly before noon it rained. GRRR. It stopped, though, and then the sun came out.
I ran into some locals at a trailhead, and they said all of this rain is HIGHLY unusual. I began my uphill trek after noon. Much to my delight, it was a very gradual ascent. I began to think I’d make it over the saddle.
Disaster Strikes
The trail got quite steep nearing the saddle. I planned to stop about 2 miles shy (3.2 km) when it began to rain. I was less than a half-mile from what was said to be a flat, sheltered camping spot, but the rain got so bad I pulled over where there was a flat-ish but bumpy spot and set up 
my tent.
Everything got wet – my tent, my raincoat, my pants. I was able to use my microfiber towel to get the inside of the tent mostly dry. I laid my foil blanket on the bottom (still damp) and changed out of my wet duds.
But I’m freezing anyway and tomorrow I’ll either have to start hiking in my sleeping clothes or put on frozen duds. It’s stil raining. This is not fun at all.
Snowshoe
Today’s Miles: 17.5 (28.2 km)
CDT Miles to Date: 559.8 (900.9 km)
CDT Miles to Go: 2,540.2 (4,088.1 km)
