The Most Delicious Choccy Milk & 360 Views

August 6, 2024

Mile 70.6-87.1 (16.5 miles)

I slept a little better than I have been out here. My sleep scores have been in the 50s and I think the elevation is to blame, my heart rate stays elevated almost all night. Henry was still sleeping when I woke up around 8:30 so I quietly showered and packed a few things up. Went down to the lobby and made us a coffee and a chai latte. After a slow morning snuggling in bed drinking our hot drinks we packed everything and walked across the street to the Robbins Nest for breakfast. When the waitress noticed we were hikers she made me, quite possibly, the best chocolate milk I've ever had. She swirled the huge glass with chocolate syrup, filled it with chocolate milk and then covered it with whipped cream and a cherry.

Next stop was the gear shop for a new stove and some fishing line. Then headed back to the main road to hitch back to trail. We only stood for a few minutes before a man and his son waved us over from the gas station across the street. We tossed our bags in the bed of the truck full of hunting gear and I squeezed in the backseat with the young boy. On the drive back to the trailhead he told me stories about how he would go outside and practice with his bow and occasionally see a mountain lion creep through the forest.

In the parking lot we thanked them and snagged our packs, quickly making sure we weren't missing anything because nothing is worse than when your hitch pulls away with one of your trekking poles never to be seen again. The sun was hot and I chugged my water since we only had 3 miles to the first source. I took a caffeine pill and distracted myself from the discomfort by texting the group book girlie chat.

We had a big climb and my foot started hurting halfway up so at our next break I submerged it in the icy stream, popped two Aleves and stretched my calves (I'm starting to believe my tight calves are the real source of this foot pain, we'll find out). Finished the climb up to 12,000 feet, gasping like a fish out of water at the top. The view was gorgeous, 360 with big dark clouds collecting behind us, but no rain came. At the summit we sat side by side in the tall grass letting the wind blow our hair off our sweaty faces.

The five mile descent down to the campsite went fast at first but then dusk fell and the sun set. The final half mile felt like an eternity, my knees throbbed and the trail was rocky. Finally tents came into view, we stopped to talk to Mice and Henry's friend Pick of the Litter (aka Pick) and then found a secluded flat spot. I pulled out my headlamp and stripped out of my sweaty clothes and into my dry camp clothes. With darkness came the cold and I can't believe I'm wearing my puffy right now. I set up the tent and sleeping pads while Henry cooked dinner. Time to cuddle up and get to sleep.