Dubois, WY (continued) - Went to a local bar and met up with practically all of the SOBOS I’ve seen in trail. Played a few games of pool and drank some PBRs. Up the 13th at 0630 after ok sleep. Called Galaxy, and she’s making that big $ on a side ER job. Walked to the Cowboy cafe for breakfast. Best on trail so far. Met up with Soccer mom, Recharge, JT and Tree Boy to finish breakfast. A wonderful and inquisitive lady paid for everyone’s breakfast. Back to the room to dry gear/repack/resupply. Talked to the neighbors and got trail magic spices and passed out a business card. Walked out of town and thumbed a ride. Picked up in 5 minutes by the same wonderful lady who bought breakfast. She whisked me back to the trailhead by 1000. Passed her a card. Overcast and threatening rain and storms. Walked a grand total of 10 miles and pitched my tent at 1600. Bad weather came in and it rained all night. Cooked in my tent and passed out. Needed to catch up on sleep after drinking 5 beers the night prior.
Moving on the 14th by 0530. Soaked for hours walking through overgrowth. Stopped for lunch in a burn area to dry my gear and change socks. Pushed 24 miles to dinner at the Lake of the Woods where I currently am. Overcast afternoon and cool/chilly now. Mac-n-cheese for dinner. Hiked on for a total of 27 miles on the day. I’m missing coffee :(
Up and rolling by 0630 on the 15th. A much drier day. Finally made it into the Wind River range. Passed by Lower/Upper Green River lakes. The lower lake was crystal blue while the upper is a cloudy green. Beautiful rock formations everywhere and I’m so excited to be here. As I was making dinner a mom and baby moose just walked right by. Also saw what I believe to be a pronghorn antelope herd. Currently at mile 1155 and did another 27 mile day. 30ish miles to get to the Elkhart trailhead and then Pinedale.
Waking up in the Winds is such a privilege. The sun hitting the mountain walls is something else. Rolling by 0550. Ran into at least 6 large youth groups, all with large packs and out for at least a week. Lots of exposure and mosquitos in the shade. Hiked 17 miles of the redline (skipped Knapsack Col) past tons of lakes and mini passes. Took the Seneca Lake trail down to the Pole Creek trail and out to Elkhart Park trailhead. Caught an instant hitch at 1830 from a couple from Georgia out road-tripping the West and park hopping/hiking. Dropped at the Wind River Brewing Company and got a local beer and a fried egg cheeseburger. Drank 2 more beers before walking to the empty lot where the town allows hikers to pitch a tent. They even provide a trash can, port-a-potty and a water spigot.
The police showed up last night at 0200 to deal with a drunk hiker who was screaming at someone about being suicidal and asking the other individual to kill them and do them a favor. Woke up to the sun peeking over the trees and drying my tent and quilt. Was visited by some neighborhood dogs and got wet kisses. Packed and walked to a coffee place to grab a mocha. Currently eating at the Wrangler cafe. Steak, eggs and a chocolate chip pancake for breakfast. About to head to get my gear resupply (new shoes - #3 for this trail so far) and then to the store to get more food to get me to Lander. Walked to the post office to get my new shoes and shirt. Walked to the aquatic center and paid 10$ to shower. The fee included hot tub use and a pool but I declined as I would’ve ended up zeroing. Washed my socks in the shower. Walked to the store to resupply and then walked out of town to hitch back to trail. Saw a same year/model Subaru as mine parked in someone’s driveway and thought it would be cool to get a ride from that person. Not even 1 minute later Bill is in his Subaru Forester and pulled over, waiting to take me back to trail. I hooked him up with a bowl as he was driving and drinking a beer. To the trailhead by 1500 and only 2 miles from the CDT. Camped by the high ground at Hobbs Lake.
Days on the trail: 51
Miles completed: 1168.9
Location: Pinedale, WY
Zero days: 2