3 Highlights:
– Meeting new hikers: Captain, Not Ready, Tag, Chef, and Paul—each with their own story.
– Free hot springs in Steamboat: Because sometimes you just need a soak.
– Trail magic courtesy of Dilly: A man with a heart of gold and a well-stocked fridge.
Summary:
– Distance hiked: 11 km
– Starting point: Elmo Lake
– Ending point: Close to Rabbit Ears Trailhead
– Weather conditions: Hot
Daily Reflections:
A quick start got me into Steamboat Springs early, where I met Captain and Not Ready—a dynamic duo with tales of ski patrol and youth guiding. Got lucky with a free hot spring experience downtown, then indulged in more coffee than I care to admit. Meeting Dilly was the icing on the cake: he not only offered us his apartment for a while but also treated us to a fancy dinner. The day was a blur of luxury I’m not used to on the trail, and I barely had time to get all my chores done. But hey, who’s complaining? Dilly even got us back to the trail—hiker life has its perks.
