[Day 76] Pole Creek to Pinedale

I was packed up around 7am, but I decided to eat a significant breakfast before getting going. I had an estimated 20 miles until Elkhart Trailhead where I’d hitch into Pinedale. I decided to go as long as I could without stopping. I chowed down a chili mac dehydrated meal as the mosquitos tried to find any amount of exposed skin.

I got going, and I didn’t stop. The trail was very similar to yesterday with lakes dotted left and right of the rolling terrain. Loose rock covered the trail, and it was a day of kicking, stubbing, and tripping my way out of the backcountry. I hit a junction with Bell Lakes Trail, and I decided to take this to Highline Trail to Pole Creek Trail. On my map, it appeared to save mileage and some needless ups and downs. I cruised my way through the lakes, mosquitos, and downed trees quite focused on getting to a meal in town. The to and from of my visit to Pinedale will add about 20 miles to the schedule, but I am out of food and I’d like to see this town of the westside of the Winds. However, I will likely bypass about six miles of the CDT, as I will take the Pole Creek Trail and Lake Seneca Trail back to the CDT which will boost me north some.

After 18 and a half miles, I hit the Elkhart Trailhead, making it on a mere liter of water and one stop for a protein bar. There was an impressive 40 or so cars at the trailhead. In 30 minutes, Jerome and Jay were hitching me down the hill 15 miles into Pinedale. They were from Alabama and North Carolina, and they had a particular love for the Wind River Range. They dropped me in town, and I got to work on my chores after a meal at the Chinese place. I booked a bunk at the Jackalope Motor Lodge, which had phenomenal hiker accommodations. And, there were a lot of other hikers. Notably, I met a pair by the trail name of Nasty Noodle and Extra Mile. A group of us went to dinner at the Wind River Brewery with a few other section and thru hikers. Its hard to say where all these hikers came from, and I think many are reluctant to admit where they skipped or flipped on the trail. Nonetheless, these people are looking to get this thing done as fast as possible.

Back at the Jackalope, now 10pm, I wrapped up my chores, getting in bed a little after midnight. I will not make an early exit from town tomorrow. I’m going to let this crew of people power on. I’d prefer to take this later half of trail at a more comfortable pace, rather than having the hustle and bustle of other people’s schedules and desire to be at the terminus interfere with my own travels.

Signing off,

Zeppelin / fReaK (ON a leash)