WalkingCarrot

Getting a ride back to the trail took longer than expected, much longer – we waited for almost 2 hours to get a ride the first 4 miles and then waited another 2 hours for a ride to the pass. Finally a local couple stopped and drove us past their place, all the way to the pass. They stopped, they said, only because of the sign we made and the fact Deb was a woman.

Leaving the pass we climbed 1,300 feet on sometimes steep switchbacks with the added weight of food packed for the next four days and three quarts of water for the dry trail ahead. We regained the crest of the divide and started back on the roller coaster of views.

Afternoon clouds rolled in and rolled out, looking several times like it would all blow over and clear off. It would clear, but then new clouds would form again from out of nothing. Sometimes mountains make their own weather.

We had hoped to make it as far as the saddle above Canyon Creek, about 9 miles or so in. We took a break at a high point with a commanding view ahead at the last 3 miles. Our route would be along the broad exposed crest and climb over some locally prominant peaks. Dark clouds let loose some sprinkles along with the promise of more. Thunder and lighting were in the distance still, but closing in fast, along with a curtain of water. The high ridge was not where we wanted to be during a lightning storm. We dropped into the next saddle and then off of it a bit to a large stand of stunted trees, but at least they were taller than our tent. We found a sloping but flat spot to make camp. Short of our goal and short in water, but safer.

Two storm cells moved through, lots of flashes of lightning, some so bright you could see them through the tent, some sounded very close. Occassioanally strong gusts of wind rocked the tent, but the stakes held. Heavy rain mixed with small hail kept a racket going. At one point I thought I heard an olde Englishman out yelling something about trading his kingdom for a horse. Personally, I would have held out for at least a sturdy cabin. But, we each have our own ways for ridin’ the storm out.

After the rain, with darkness falling fast, we fixed a quick dinner, sipped some carefully portioned reserves of water and turned in for a sliding-down-to-the-end-of-the-tent slumber.

Miles -about 6.7