The Unpolished Princess

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! 

Start: 522.2

Stop: 542.1

Today’s Miles: 20.1

Total CDT miles: 406.5 

I left the motel by 7:45 and started my walk towards Pebble’s hostel. I got a breakfast burrito and ate it while I walked. I tried calling Pebbles to see if he wanted me to bring him one, but he didn’t answer. I assumed he was half way done with the road walk to the trailhead we reconnected to. To my shock, that wasn’t the case at all! He hadn’t left yet!

I technically was ahead of him on the road for maybe 15-20 minutes. He caught up fast! Then it was road walking in the heat to get to the trailhead. I started with 2 liters of water, and was going through it fast in the heat. When we got to the trailhead we sat under a tree to cool off, and I started to panic.. I was almost out of water and there wasn’t any more until close to 10 miles ahead on this trail! Crap! 

Amazingly, while we were sitting there, me in my panic, a lady drives up. She hops out and puts 3 gallons of water at the trailhead sign! No freaking way! Trail magic!! I filled up a liter and was so happy! Pebbles got some water too, and then we headed up the trail. 

The views were pretty, a few climbs above tree line with desert scrubs and cacti. It was hot and muggy, which-it hasn’t felt muggy yet at all. Clouds started to roll in, and it started to make sense.. it looked like rain was on the way! A real first for this trail! Which is absolutely wild considering how much rain I had on the AT and even on the PCT. 

We had lunch in the shade of a tree/big bush, and watched the weather start to come through. It started to sprinkle after we packed up and started moving again. It didn’t rain hard or for very long.. but it was enough to make us set our tents up when we got to our camp spot. Just to make sure we stayed dry. We made it a little over 20 miles today, and I’m tired! That heat really zapped me, so much so that I’ve been so grateful for the rain. Like, please cool me off, God! Ha.

We’re in our tents and sporadic sprinkles keep coming down, not enough to be a problem, by any means. I think I’ll sleep better because of it, honestly. Which, it’s time to make that happen. Sweet dreams!