3 Highlights:
• Spotting an elk by the river
• Stunning views before Bowen Pass
• Dinner conversation with fellow hikers
Summary:
• Distance hiked: 40 km
• Starting point: Km 2575, close to Trout Creek
• Ending point: Grand Lake
• Weather conditions: Mixed
Daily Reflections:
Woke up feeling like a popsicle, so I finally broke out the mittens. Spoiler: they didn’t help. The only thing that worked was getting my butt in gear and moving. Logan and I tackled the first part of the day together, but once we hit Bowen Pass, I was off like a rocket—covering 20 km at 4.6 km/h. Along the way, I had a staring contest with an elk (the elk won) and passed a group of elk hunters who clearly needed better luck.
The weather played mind games with me, but I decided to push on for the extra 9 km to enter town via an alternate route. Saving the 40 km national park trail for later with Lanski. By the time I reached Grand Lake, I was dragging my feet and dreaming of food. The town’s tourist vibe was a welcome sight—especially the restaurants. I treated myself to a milkshake, which tasted like victory in a cup, and then hit the laundromat. Fun fact: I was surrounded by Amish folks while my clothes spun, which was oddly comforting.
I jumped in the lake for a quick refresher while my clothes dried, and then met up with some new and familiar hiker faces. The town center is basically tent city tonight, and we’re all hunkered down for the night. I got some extra food from Not Ready and Captain Planet before they headed out—brave couple, those two. I shared some cocoa beans with the group and made plans to invite people to breakfast tomorrow. Might even try to hitchhike over the mountains. But for now, it’s time to rest. Good night!
