8/1/15 Day 99 – 8S1 Summit Lake OS1 M2034.1 to Sawtelle Mountain Resort ‘
Tent – Nights Spent Alone: 13
35.2, 1904.2 Trip Miles
Sunny Blue Bird Day
Day’s of Snow: 8 – Day’s of Rain: 35 – Days of Hail: 17
# of Zero days: 11
Gila Crossings Final Total: 221
Tick Count: 4 (4 more crawling on me)
Wanted List
Mountain Goat
Grizzly Bear
Sasquatch
Black Bear
Bighorn Sheep
Velociraptor
Mountain Lion
Beaver – SPOTTED
Unicorn
Wolf
Buffalo
Critter Count
8 Chipmunks
3 Squirrel
Totals
1) 613 Pronghorn*
2) 383 Elk*7
3) 249 Chipmunks *5
4) 170 Deer*2
5) 152 Marmot*4
6) 120 Lizards*6
7) 116 Wild Horses
8) 92 Squirrels *9
9) 60 Ground Squirrels*10
10) 54 Pika
11) 46 Cotton Tail Rabbits *8
12) 30 Prairie Dogs
13) 22 Horny Toads
14) 17 Jack Rabbit*3
15) 14 Moose
16) 8 Snakes
17) 5 Coyotes
18) 5 Moles
19) 4 Porcupine
20) 2 Fox
21) 2 Rattle Snakes
22) 2 Toads
23) 1Beaver
24) 1 Badger
25) 1 Mouse
26) 1 Skunk
27) 1 Weasel
*259 from car, *2 – 48 from car, *3 – 1 from car, *4 – 2 from car, *5 – 1 off trail, *6 – 1 off trail, *7 – 9 from car, *9 – 1 from car, *10 – 5 off trail
Today didn’t go as planned. I woke up thinking I was going to hike the Henry’s Lake loop which is the official CDT but I got 4+ miles into it and the first three water sources were dry. I had one (1) liter of water with a “possibility” of water in 10 miles. If it wasn’t there it was another 11.8 to the next source.
I back tracked and took some dirt roads to cut over to the Mack’s Inn Alternate. It would involve more road walking but would be (after my detour) 20 miles shorter in total. It also had town services. Yum!
Not long after I got on the Mack’s Inn loop I found Lathem Spring and tanked up. It was really hot today. I hugged the side of the road to grab any shade I could. I would all but finish the three liters I took to go the last 10-12 miles. Usually I might drink one liter or half that amount.
I met Scout, an older gentleman headed south on a Flip. He hiked the PCT in 2007 though we never met. He was great to talk to and I enjoyed our time on the side of the road. He had fell a few days back and had broken ribs! Hats off to you Scout!
I made it to town around 7 pm. I ordered pizza and breadsticks with a Coke. I only finished half of each but drained a lot of Coke. It was another 1.8 to the Sawtelle Mountain Resort just up the road. I ran into Frodo (who is Scout’s wife) after checking in at the RV park. I then met Tillman one of two Germans headed south who make up Das Boots. I believe the other was named Jillian. Not sure.
After a shower where I had no towel or soap I felt better. My answer to the soap issue was to go to the hand dispenser and fill my hands with the foam. I then deposited it on the two spots where you’re supposed to put your bar of soap. I ran out but got mostly clean.
I had a long talk with my folks as they are headed to The Pines in Maine, where there’s no service. I’m so bummed I’m missing The Pines this year. First time in 16 years. I’m very sad about this.
After that it was number crunching in my tent till almost 10:30 pm. Every time I look at my schedule it changes and the date moves earlier in September. Not a bad thing as snow can come early.
Scatman
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Get out there!
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