We woke to the not-very-promising sound of rain pelting on our tarp. Isn't this Colorado? Where it's supposed to be dry? But by 9:00 it had cleared up, and it was actually a very lovely morning. We have to make good miles today, about 23 miles, because of yesterday's rain delay.
We've obviously entered a different climate zone - the trail today goes on the slopes of Mt. Massive and Mt. Elbert, at 11,000 - 12,000 foot elevations, but there's no snow to speak of. What there are, are HUGE aspen groves - the mountainsides are covered in them, and it seems like we hike for miles through continuous aspen forest. Aspens groves have such a nice light and beauty to them. Especially when it's not raining....
We met our first CDT thru-hiker today - his name was San Gabriel - and of course he made me jealous. It was kind of funny, this guy came walking down the trail, and he was wearing my pack, carrying my brand of ice axe, and even used old Powerade bottles for water, just like I do. I must be meant to be a CDT hiker! We talked for a while - he entered the San Juans on May 31st - way early, and said, well, there was a lot of snow. He described going over the knife's edge (Janelle and Nathan will remember that portion of trail from our CDT hike a few years ago) - it sounded pretty hairy, being completely covered in snow.
We ran completely out of food, so we had no choice but to make it into Twin Lakes for dinner (there was some doubt as to whether there'd be a restaurant open for dinner, but luckily there was). We got to Twin Lakes around 6:30, found lodging at the "Inn of the Black Wolf" a restored (somewhat) 130 year old lodge. The floors were so warped our bed slanted in 3 different directions! But we had a nice hot shower, ate a steak at the Inn, and I had my first trail-side Budweiser. Something about long hikes and cheap beer, I don't know what it is.....
- Brent
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