Highlights:
1. Encountering two large moose by the lake where I stopped for lunch.
2. Plenty of hiker interactions throughout the day—good company!
3. Finding an unexpected (and mysterious) bag of bagels on the trail.
Daily Summary:
• Distance hiked: 41 km
• Starting point: km 3318
• Ending point: km 3359
• Weather conditions: Sunny
Daily reflections:
Ah, the morning after a decent night’s sleep—a rare gift when camping at high altitude in the Rockies. Despite the cold that still lingered in the air, I managed to get the rest I needed and set off feeling relatively strong again.
The trail today was generous with its scenery: beautiful, expansive views and water everywhere. Lakes, streams, creeks—you name it, it was there. I felt like I was walking through a landscape painting, one of those you stare at and think, Surely, this can’t be real? But it was, and it was mine to hike through.
Around noon, something unusual caught my eye—a bag lying on the trail. It looked like a bag of bagels. My first thought, naturally, was, Great, someone’s littered. Then, a second thought crossed my mind: Should I pick it up? And, as any self-respecting trail steward would, I did. As I held the bag, I had a moment of internal debate: was this a lucky find or a stale disaster? No date was visible, but the temptation was too great. I gave in and tried one. Cinnamon and raisin, it turned out—dry, yes, but surprisingly edible.
Now, the bag was heavy (why do bagels have to weigh like rocks?), so I was glad when I reached my planned lunch stop—Uwe Lake. I kicked off my shoes, washed my feet, and spread my gear out to dry while I ate. Not long after, Finn and Florian, the two fellow hikers from yesterday’s chew festival, appeared. Finn, ever the brave one, jumped straight into the lake. I offered them each a bagel, and Finn—while chewing—pointed out two massive moose standing across the water. They were majestic, standing tall and seemingly unbothered by our presence. Nature has a way of showing off when you least expect it.
What was meant to be a quick, 30-minute lunch turned into a 90-minute lakeside gathering, but who could blame me? With company like that and moose for entertainment, time just slipped away. Once I realized how much I’d dawdled, I sped up, covering 20 km in a hurry. Along the way, I met two other hikers, and we shared a beautiful sunset, a classic moment of camaraderie that only the trail can provide.
As I approached my campsite, I noticed a group of hikers, some familiar faces among them, including a guy named Blanket. Turns out, Blanket was the one who had lost the bag of bagels earlier in the day. When I showed him what I’d found, he laughed and said, “Guess I owe you one!” We joked about how lucky I was that they were still good enough to eat.
It’s always nice to reconnect and share stories with other hikers, especially when they involve an unexpected meal. It made the day feel complete—another reminder that even in the middle of nowhere, you’re never really alone.
Well, that’s it for today. A good day indeed. Good night.
