Yesterday we saw Tracks and Beerman going SOBO and Humbled heading to Sperry City for a zero.
We camped just past the conservation reserve on gravel after 27 miles.
Today we took a late start and started hiking at 6:36 am. Our goal was an easy twenty to a water cache.
The trail changes. A lot more elevation. Trees from time to time and a lot more water & greenery and the rain predicted for tomorrow moved up to today and then earlier in the day.
So instead of a relaxed day we pushed it. My recovering hot spot is a blister. My plan was for it to go away completely.
We saw no one, though the log book at the water cache had been signed by Hopper who we first saw camping our first night out of Rawlins.
We kept looking for a good place to camp so we would be set up when the rain hit.
Some places were not sheltered and had too much sheep poop. Some were on grass that looked ready to flood when the rain hit and looked to be condensation nightmares.
Several crossroads were too overgrown —no place for a tent.
Then Happy spotted the perfect spot. Slight slant so water would drain away from us. On dry, gravel soil so condensation would be minimal. Sheltered from the wind.
We set up just in time.
Our goal for the day after tomorrow is Atlantic City. (Atlantic, South Pass and Lander are all in a 5-6 mile stretch but Atlantic City has a B&B).
It is starting to warm. We are getting through the Great Basin just before the mosquitoes hit.
Critters seen. Lots of Pronghorns and Horses. Cows. Sheep. One wooly caterpillar. Dung Beetles. 3-4 flies. Miniature ducks (yesterday). Crows. So many horny toads. A butterfly.
It has worked out to be a good day.
We will need internet to check the weather. Right now it looks like we flip back to Rawlins and finish the Great Basin.
Then we might start south from the northern terminus. But we have bear canisters and ice axes to sort out. Lots of snow to melt.
A wedding. GenCon.