CDT Day 74: July 18, 2025
Start: 1504.7
Stop: 1528.8
Today’s Miles: 24.1
Total CDT miles: 1200.6
Today was a long one-with lots of rolling hills, but nothing near as beautiful as yesterday. We never really got above tree line and the majority of it was on old dirt and gravel roads that aren’t well maintained in areas. Don’t get me wrong, there were some beautiful views, but nothing breathtaking. The only motivation for today was the farther I walk, the closer I get to the Wyoming border! We’ll hit that in the morning now, less than 5 miles away! (I’m liking all of these “we’s” by the way)
I was the first out of camp this morning at 7am, but within a couple hours, everyone had passed me. First Firefly, who I chatted with for a bit while walking. He went to a privy and dumpster on trail,(and took some of my trash for me, super nice dude), I decided to take a dirt road at the junction, since it was easier elevation gain wise. Joke’s on me, because that road abruptly stopped and I had to bushwhack back to trail over lots of blowdowns and a large stream crossing that I couldn’t rock hop across. At one point, the blowdowns were 3-4 high! Ha, oh well.. name of the game sometimes I guess.
During that bushwhack, Pika had passed ahead of me. Then, back on trail, Redline and Wolf did too, with Firefly showing back up when I least expected him. It was hot and sunny and the rolling hills kept coming. It was never miserable, but I never truly felt great either. Sometime in the morning I had enough service to talk to Pebbles on the phone. He was about to hitch out of the town I won’t even make it to until the day after tomorrow.
He seems to think I’m going to catch up to him, but that’s impossible if he keeps doing big miles. I’m hoping he slows down some and this whole group can catch up to him, because Pika is wanting to see him, too. They were both injured on the PCT at Crater Lake together, I know a reunion would be fun for both of them. And, honestly, having multiple people to leapfrog with during the day and camp with at night truly does make this experience more fun, the laughter the shared misery, all of it.. someone to remind you of the good in all of it.. it makes a huge difference. Not only on the overall experience, but on morale in general, too.
Anyway. This is a short one.. we hit the border in the morning, hopefully all together ish-I kinda worry that I might need to leave before them to make sure I’m not too far behind everyone. And then it’s 20 miles to the road we hitch at from the border. I’m excited! Sweet dreams yall!