WalkingCarrot

Rain fell heavy during the night leaving items on the side of the tarp tent wet and leaving the ground damp outside. The storm also left cloudy skies. All morning threatening clouds swirled about, but didn’t do too much.

We climbed a high ridge and followed the divide as it rolled along to high points (as high as 12,700) and lower basins. A heard of elk occupied one basin. As we watched them, from high above grazing, a chorus of coyotes echoed their calls off canyon walls a mile or so away. The elk took notice and moved to the cover of willows in a midslope area.

On top of a rocky plateau we came across a Ptarmigan and four chicks, well camoflauged, until they moved.

By the time we dropped into a long creek walk to Weminuche pass, the morning clouds were organizing into an ominous storm cell. For about an hour it dumped heavy rains and hail on us. Fortunately we were well below the ridgelines as the lightning, wind, rain and hail unleashed themselves, falling hard. We got thouroughly drenched as the storm really dumped on us, turning the trail to streams. The flowing water pushed hail pellets into banks several inches deep in places.

It was the kind of rain which felt like it would never stop. Of course, it did stop, but then started up again – periodically for about 4 or 5 hours. There would be no chance of drying the tent or sleeping bag at lunch.

The rain brought colder temps, in fact the whole day felt more like a day in September in the north Cascades. Walking all day with a stiff and sore back did not help the disposition much either. But we pushed on, as it was warmer walking than resting and the back stayed less stiff the less it rested.

Finally as we approached timberline after the long, 2,000 ft climb back out of Wemenuche Pass, the couds started to break up a little and we saw some actual sun, at least enough to raise the spirits.

We made it to Ute Lake, our goal for the day, as the sun was setting. A very cold and damp evening continued the feeling of autumn.

19.5 miles