3 Highlights:
• Hitchhiking adventures: Mike from Rawlins to Saratoga, Kevin the coffee-making cop, and Patty from town to trail—each ride more interesting than the last.
• Resupply success and new shoes: Because nothing beats the joy of fresh soles underfoot.
• Meeting Lucy and Logan at camp: Who needs to hike the whole trail when hitchhiking gets you to such good company?
Summary:
• Distance hiked: 22 km
• Starting point: Rawlins to trailhead outside Encampment
• Ending point: Pipeline trailhead km 2378
• Weather conditions: Nice
Daily Reflections:
Woke up to the most aggressive hotel shower ever—felt like being pelted by gravel, but hey, it woke me up. Started my day with cottage cheese, blueberries, dark chocolate, and then ruined it with a McMuffin trilogy at McDonald’s. Hitchhiking was the day’s main event: from a contractor with a dog that tried to take a bite out of me, to a cop who brewed me coffee in his office. I also picked up new shoes. Seriously, can you make this stuff up? Finally hit the trail after a series of strange but generous encounters, feeling a bit guilty for letting my legs off easy most of the day. Nature was kind, though—a green trail and bird songs at camp eased my conscience a bit.
Encampment Opera House