Month: July 2025

Start: 585.2

Stop: 614.6

Today’s Miles: 26.4

Total CDT miles: 476

Days with rain: 4

When I say the trail provides, boy does it! Pebbles was packed and on trail before I ever even got out of my tent. I woke up with my feet still throbbing and wondering why the hell I’m even doing this. I can’t keep up with him, and honestly, if my feet and legs continue to hurt like this, I don’t plan on trying. It might be time to let him hike ahead on his own so I can quit feeling like I’m holding him back. It’s frustrating as hell, but he is so much younger and fitter than me.. so why keep trying to keep up when it’s just making me and him miserable? 

I left only 20 minutes after Pebbles, but man I was hobbling. Every step hurt, and I was so very slow going. And I decided I didn’t care. The trail was pretty gorgeous, so I did my best to just soak that in, and tell myself that if it’s time to split up, it’s time-we need to both hike our own hike. 

Around 7:30, I came across two guys at a Bronco at a dirt road crossing. They offered me a Gatorade, so I took it and chatted with them while I drank it (mainly so I could give them the empty bottle back.. I didn’t want to tote it). Squirt is hiking the CDT now, and his friend, Animal rented the Bronco and is slack packing him for a few days while they hike and explore together! So cool! Animal hiked the CDT in 2016, and had been looking for ways to give back to current hikers, so while he and Squirt do their thing, any hikers they come across they offer trail magic to. I want to do this!

The Gatorade rejuvenated me and really perked up my mood. Pebbles was no where to be seen, but I was no longer down in my feelings. The ibuprofen probably also kicked in, too. My little miracle anti-inflammatory drug. I was happy as a clam and smiling at every little bush and flower as Squirt came flying past me. He was kind enough to slow down and chat a minute before heading off at a very fast pace. He’s like Pebbles (plus maybe 20 ish years), 6 foot something and thin with a long stride, and-he’s slack packing-so not toting any weight at all on his back.  He was out of sight within minutes of passing me!

When I got to the next dirt road crossing, Pebbles was sitting there with Squirt, Animal, and the Bronco, drinking coffee! They offered to slack pack the two of us the next 5 miles! On the day my feet needed it the most, these two come out of the woodwork and help a girl out! We haven’t seen other hikers AT ALL practically, and here we are getting slack packed! See. The trail provides. 

I happily slung my whole pack in the Bronco, only bringing a water bottle. 5 miles? I could go without everything for 5 miles! We started off together, the three of us, and then even going much faster myself, those two were way faster than I’d ever be! I’d have to actually run to keep up. No thanks! I told them to go ahead and just enjoyed my 5 mile pack free hike. 

The terrain was up and over mesas, with desert all around. It honestly felt like being in Monument Valley. Stunning views all around, rock formations of all kinds, pinnacles and sweeping valleys between them all. I was in awe the entire 5 miles. The sky was overcast and I could see storm clouds rolling in, but even that added to the beauty of it all. I was so so content. 

When I got to the meeting point, everyone was there and starting to eat lunch. I did the same, sitting on the ground listening to them chat. Animal and Squirt wanted to know if we wanted to slack to the next road crossing, and camp there with them.. which would be the 20 miles Pebbles and I was planning on today anyway (that I 100% did NOT think I was going to make it to this morning). We said we were in, and got to hiking. 

More gorgeous views and the clouds were rolling in thick with rain.. but none had dropped from the sky yet. How lucky were we?!

Until, that is, I got to a road that I wasn’t expecting to see everyone at, because it was way too soon.. apparently, the road Animal wanted to camp at was impassable, so he quickly whipped around the Bronco and got to this road crossing to cut us off. The deal was either we take our packs from him now, and camp where we originally intended, without them, we hike 13 miles on the trail to the next road crossing, or we hike 10 miles on the dirt road to that same road crossing and camp with them. 

If we took options 2 or 3, we’d slack pack it and not have the full weights of our packs. With the storm rolling in and sure to pound us at any minute, I didn’t feel safe taking the trail, as it went higher and more exposed than the road. When I pointed that out, Pebbles and Squirt quickly agreed: road walk 10 miles and camp with Animal! Heck yeah! 

So, off we went. Within 20 minutes, the sky let out all of the anger it was holding. Lightening, thunder, and so much rain! I was worried about Animal navigating these back county dirt roads in the downpour, because I could barely see through it and it was like being stuck in quicksand. The mud just continues to cake and cake on your shoes to where lifting your leg feels like 30 pounds are attached to each foot. It was tough going. And when you pick up any speed at all, it’s a slip and slide! 

We could see the Bronco’s tire tracks on the road, and where he slide a bit at times too. When I finally turned the corner and could see that gorgeous SUV in the distance, I all but screamed! I was so damn happy! Plus, Animal was going to make us all dinner! If I could have ran without falling in that mud, I would have!

I made it to everyone just before 6:30pm! Animal made us grilled brats, hamburgers with cheese, avocado, tomato, and lettuce, potato salad and coleslaw. I ate like a flipping pig! Once everyone had their feel, which I made sure Squirt and Animal were done, I demolished the rest of the coleslaw. Talking with them and Pebbles, laughing, eating good food, enjoying everything about the crazy day and the trail and how it all works out how it’s supposed to, all it combined just had me so freaking thankful for this day. I truly didn’t think I’d make the 20 miles to catch up to Pebbles, let alone 26 miles with new friends. I’m beside myself with gratitude. 

Anyway. We ate and then Pebbles and I set up our tents on one side of the dirt road, Squirt set his up on the other side and closer to the Bronco, Animal set his sleep stuff up inside the Bronco. As we were all setting up and winding down for the night, close to dark, 3 motorcycles/dirt bikes come squawking through. As they go over the cattle guard the dirt road intersection, across from us, 2 of the 3 bikes shut off. Uh oh. Apparently, the thick mud did something to their clutches. 

We listen to the 3 of them freak out, panic, and attempt to work it out. Animal starts to walk over it offer his assistance in anyway, and a dude waves him off. Ok, figure it out yourselves then. And after 30 or so minutes of revving engines and bikes not moving, they decide they need to just set up camp tonight and deal with it in the morning. So, the three of them are across the dirt road from Pebbles and I, and diagonal from Animal and Squirt. 

As I lay here in my tent, motorcycle guys are all on their individual phones telling their people about their mishap. I get it, but also, it’s after hiker midnight now, so please shut up. Eh, whatever, my belly is full and my heart is content. I guess it’s time to try to sleep regardless. Because we got an extra 6 miles done today. We only have a little over 13 to Cuba, New Mexico tomorrow. And, we’re getting a motel room, so a shower and a bed is in order.. I’m excited. And so very thankful that today worked out the way it did, the trail provided, and I don’t have to split up from Pebbles for being too slow.. yet. Ha. Goodnight yall. 

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! 

Start: 542.1

Stop: 564.4

Today’s Miles: 22.3

Total CDT miles: 428.8

It rained off and on all night, but never heavy. Which means I slept like a baby. This morning was the first time I had to pack everything up, inside my tent, and then pack my tent up wet. This felt like an every day thing on the AT, and here we are almost a month in before having to do it here. Wild. 

We got packed and started hiking, me in my rain jacket. I somehow got ahead of Pebbles, because I got to the water source first, a big cow pond overflowing. There was absolutely no way to keep our feet dry, but I was more afraid of face planting into the pond than anything. I waited for Pebbles and he was kind enough to fill up my CNOC bag for me, since he could reach way farther than I ever could. 

We filtered water and then kept walking. Sometime mid morning the rain left us and the jacket got hot, so I stopped to take it off. Also, the terrain turned into a lush valley of all the shades of green, and so many Aspen trees. It was truly beautiful, I think the damp soil and wet leaves had something to do with the magic. Whatever it was, I was grateful for the change in scenery. I’d pick green grasses and trees all day over the cactus, dirt, and scrub brush of the desert.

We made it to a water cache, and as I’m telling Pebbles about thinking of taking a break, he just points to the sky and says, “well, I’m going to keep going..” hmmmm. I looked up. The most angry clouds I’ve seen in a LONG time were heading our way. So much for my break! I packed up and kept walking, the whole time having a feeling of being chased. We were in a big open area for quite a while, Pebbles all but running to the trees ahead. 

The sky dropped out just before I made it to the tree line. Pebbles had his pack off and was squatting down in a “lightening position.” Hell. I hadn’t even noticed the lightening yet. I took my pack off and walked to the edge of the trees. It was dumping buckets of rain, and even started to hail. I was glad to be under the tree cover, but annoyed that it was so short because less than 100 yards up, the trees were gone and the trail was very exposed again. 

After hunkering down to wait out the storm for about 15 minutes, I started to make the comment that I hadn’t seen lightening in a little while.. when a fresh strike crashed across the sky. Just kidding. I’ll keep waiting! When it finally passed, I was glad to be moving again, because it got cold in the rain and with all the waiting around. The most irritating part: the dirt road that was the trail practically turned into peanut butter. We were slipping and sliding, and huge blocks of mud were getting stuck to our feet. 

It seemed to take a million years to get to where we wanted to camp. My legs are worn out, with all the fighting with the mud. Im shocked I didn’t slip and fall, honestly. Now that I’ve typed that, I’m definitely going to fall tomorrow. Ha. We eventually settled on a semi flat area off the trail and into some woods. Once we set up our tents, it started to sprinkle, we could see storm clouds coming our way, but they held off dumping rain on us long enough to let us eat dinner. Pebbles came over to my tent to share some of the avocado he packed out. I don’t know why an avocado in the middle of the woods is the best thing on earth, but it is. Especially in a bean burrito with cheese! 

It’s kind of cold, with the rain clouds covering the sun all day and being a little damp. I guess I’ll try to warm up and get some sleep! Until tomorrow, friends! Good night!