Start: 564.4
Stop: 585.2
Today’s Miles: 20.8
Total CDT miles: 449.6
There was some rain overnight, but none in the morning. I kept my raincoat on anyway. And then regretted that decision within 30 minutes of hiking. The trail was beautiful though, those same rich greens out to play, before it turned more desert orange and dirt-but yet, still pretty. I ended up stopping to take my jacket off within 20-30 minutes and thought for sure I’d regret it with the looks of the sky.
The sky stayed overcast all day, and the heat seemed to be trapped under the clouds-because it was HOT and muggy! The few times we were on a dirt road, our shoes got mud bogged and at some point, my left shoe tore apart! The section where the material connects to the sole of the shoe just separated! Like a long slit all the way down. Thankfully, I can’t still walk in it without issue, only it’s easier for mud, water, debris to get inside now. Yikes. I’ve not had a good run with shoes this hike.
We ended up eating lunch around 11 something, because we had to trek off trail to get water. It was about half a mile and down into a huge gorge to get it, and we were kind enough to tote back extra jugs with us so the next hikers wouldn’t have to make the extra trip. I toted over 4 gallons of water back on my own! Talk about needing a break after that.. there was no point in hiking a little farther just to stop and unpack to eat, when all of our stuff was off of us now anyway. Plus, it gave us time to dry out our tents from the rain last night.
In the afternoon, the trail started a steep decent for almost 7 miles. My feet were so sore. And my hips too, from constant lifting of extra weight from the thick mud caked on my shoes. We technically wanted to go farther today, but storm clouds rolling in told us we better not wait to set up camp. We were hiking through a wash, which you never want to camp in, especially with the threat of rain. And then right out of the wash, the trail went up and over some exposed hills. With lightening cracking across the sky in the distance, we settled on a spot technically above the wash and below the two hills on either side-but still somewhat exposed looking.
There were coyotes howling nearby and the clouds were only getting darker as we set up our tents. With light rain sprinkling off and on, we made sure the tents were secure, because the wind was starting to whip through the little valley we’re set up in. Within minutes of us finishing our dinners, the sprinkles turned into rain and flashes of lightening lit the sky. The thunder told us it was getting super close now, too.
I’m cuddled in my quilt and hoping the storm passes quickly, I know Pebbles hates the lightening. He’s probably happy to be in his tent and not hiking in it! I think I’ll probably sleep pretty well, as rain and thunderstorms are what I listen to on my white noise app to help me sleep at home. I will admit, it is a little unsettling though.. being out in the middle of nowhere with a storm raging through.
Hope yall are staying drier than we are. I think I might take some ibuprofen and call it a night, my feet are throbbing from that downhill beating they took! Sweet dreams, everyone!