Journal July 20 – The Sun Makes All the Difference
As soon as the sun came up the tent went from “pull the hat over your face” cold to “pull the sleeping bag open” hot.
We continued on through the burned area, up and over Straight Creek Pass. Trees have started to come back, but aren’t nearly large enough to provide any shade. It’s a hot day and it’s hot walking in these burned areas. Very little relief until we find a remnant pocket of green and stop for lunch in the shade and a dip in Dearborn River. After scrubbing off a layer of salt and dust during the swim and then lounging over lunch in the shade, the long sleeved shirt feels good. The sun makes all the difference.
Leaving Deerborn River we climb a ridge alongside, and above, Blacktail Creek. We gain 1,700 feet in just 2 1/2 very dry miles, and cross a small spring just below the top of the climb. We drink well and fill the water bottles and water bag. In a few more yards we meet the top of the ridgeline and drop into a saddle right on the Continental Divide. There are more sheltered area nearby to make camp, but the evening is calm and clear and the views from the saddle are much more expansive. So we set up camp and make dinner as the day dissolves slowly into dusk and the surrounding peaks go from brightly lit, to the softer tones and shadows of evening.
Total miles for the day: 13.9
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