[Day 57] Silverthorne

After a minimal night of rest, I was slow to getting up. I planned to be out of town early to make some miles — that was not happening today.

I showered, rounded up my things, and checked out by 11am. My clothes feel clean, as clean as using a laundromat. Shower laundry consisted of pre-rinsing, soaking in hot water diluted with Pine-Sol and Dr. Bronners, rinsing, and air drying. I typically wouldn’t write about the cleanliness of my clothes, but I am surprised by how wrinkle free and pleasant my clothes smell. Not only does the Pine-Sol ward off bears, it’s an excellent cleaning agent. I think it’s going to be a permanent part of the kit.

I ate breakfast at a place across the street from the hotel. I’ve been needing a solid American breakfast all trail. Unfortunately, the pancakes were very doughy, and it left me sluggish. After breakfast, I walked the couple miles to the post office to ship off some heavy extras.

I wandered about the river area in Silverthorne for a bit. It’s quite a pleasant area with much new housing popping up. With its proximity to Breckinridge, other ski spots, and the mountains, I’d guess this area around Dillon Reservoir is growing quite rapidly.

I decided it was time for lunch. I wasn’t leaving town until I felt sick from a full stomach. I ate a Chipotle burrito bowl slowly and considered staying the day in town. I’d reckon the previous couple days were and will be some of the toughest hiking of the trail.

I decided against staying. After charging my phone and ordering a sandwich for dinner, I ordered my Uber up to Herman Gulch Trailhead.

It was a short day — less than 5 miles. I was crashed in my tent by 7:30pm. Distant lightning flickered through my tent walls and a few rain sessions battered the tent fabric. I slept hard despite the extreme angle of my poorly chosen tent spot.

Signing off,

Zeppelin / fReaK (ON a leash)