Ate first dinner in Lander at McDonald’s. Walked to the Holiday Lodge to check in, shower and wash my shorts and socks. Walked to Cowfish Grill and ate a good steak and mashed potatoes. Drank some local Hefeweizen and a blonde ale. Swung by the gas station for a pint of milk and some green tea. Ended up sleeping ok with a real AC in the room.
Up the 22nd at 0630. Walked to Oxbow diner for a decent breakfast burrito and a chocolate chip pancake. Drank some weak ass coffee. Back to the room to super dry/pack gear. Walked out of town at 1100 and got an instant hitch from some carpenters on their way home. 30 mile hitch back to trail. Time to start the Great Basin. It consists of open, rolling desert with sage, cactus and cows. Hiked to South Pass City, Wyoming, a former mining town and a National Historic site. Toured the town and bought some chocolate pecan truffles from the gift store and signed the hiker book. Made my way out to the hills/old mining sites behind the town and get “lost” for a couple hours just checking out old wooden structures and mine shafts. Decided to only hike 8 miles to Atlantic City and stay at Wild Bills B&B. Arrive at 1700, dump my shit in a hiker cabin, and walk to the historic bar/eatery called Atlantic City Mercantile. Ate another good burger and fries, drank a few Coors. Back to the B&B to chat with Bill, a former Coast a guard Veteran during the Vietnam era, and drink coffee served by his wife. Took a shower and utilized the hot tub and videoed Galaxy. Tried to watch the new GOT pilot episode and ended up passing out.
Up at 0600 and breakfast served across the street at Bill’s restaurant at 0700. Eggs, sausage, pancakes, OJ and Coffee. Good breakfast and a good group of people that are all out here touring the West. Some on cycles, others on enduro bikes. Left Wild Bills by 0800. Walk the 1.3 miles back to trail. No trees at all in this section of the Basin. Lots of cows and dirt road walking. 27.6 miles on the day and camped along a road. Saw Richard the former Marine twice today. He gave me some Peak meals back at the B&B. Currently at mile 1288.1. 3 ish days to walk into Rawlins. Getting kinda close to Colorado!
It’s the 24th and currently dinner time. Currently at mile 1318.1 and made it exactly 30 miles. Had a 20 mile water carry today and feel a little crispy from the sun exposure. I absolutely love the feel of the Basin in the mornings and evenings. Ended up shade hopping with the last bit of shade 10 miles back. Gram passed me today. Right as I hit my 30 mile mark, the ass fell out of the sky heavy wind gusts and rain made putting up my tent extremely difficult. Finally got it half ass pitched and sat there for 2 hours holding my trekking pole so I didn’t get blown away.
Up the 25th after a long, wet evening. Everything is damp again. More exposure and heat. Hopping between shitty water sources and dirt road. Dealing with a bout of stomach cramps today, even with a TON of electrolytes. Pushed 32 miles today. Met a SOBO hiker named Zebra. Glad there’s no storm tonight as I go to sleep.
Slept well. Found a flat spot and stayed dry. Woke up around 0530 and packed real quick. Cold coffee and cereal. Saw Gram in the distance and tried to catch him for 8 miles. Finally made it to an electric well. Cleaned out a dead mouse from the smaller cistern. Filtered 1.5 liters and back to rolling towards Rawlins. Went from overcast to quite sunny. Hit town by 1300. That’s 25 miles in 6.5 hours. That’s over a 3 1/2 mile per hour pace.
Called Galaxy and she hooked me up with a nice hotel downtown close to lots of food and resupply - which I didn't have to do much of because Galaxy sent me a box to the post office full of my favorite oatmeal (complete with heart stickers).
Days on the trail: 61
Miles completed: 1,374
Location: Rawlins, WY
Zero days: 2