Monday, July 8th, 2024, 0700-2200
Barnaby Lake to York Creek Bridge, mm 88.3
28 miles, Gain: 3500′, Loss: 5000′, elevation 4800′
I could barely get up in the morning, having a pretty massive hiker hangover. Alex and I agreed to depart by 7 am since we had a lot of ground to cover. We dragged ourselves out of bed and got in auto mode down the hill. We dropped 1700′ in 2 miles and stumbled out onto the highway. We saw some people, the first non GDT hikers in days. We walked another mile on the road and came across Strider, eating breakfast. He was sitting next to a sign written in rocks with an arrow pointing towards the woods: Burger ⬆️. The Strawbridges had left their mark, guiding Strider to his reward. That’s some awesome trail magic. They’d of course already taken off for the morning. Shortly after we also came across Woody. It was nice to be reunited with some of our crew.
We had to go up another big hill but first I had the presence of mind to take a dip in Suicide Creek…yes that was the name. It was a great call because the climb was under the full sun and it was already in the upper 70s. After the stunning ridge walk the day before, the remaining 30 some miles to Coleman were rather dull. The route followed ATV trails through some lower hills most of the morning. Then there was a very hot dirt road walk with some truck traffic for a few miles. I immediately brought out my umbrella and used it for the rest of the day. My thermometer read 89 under the brella at one point.
Strider caught up to Alex and I and we jumped at the opportunity for a break next to a river with picnic tables in the shade. There was a nearby campground with a day use area. One by one everyone rolled in: Woody, Helena, Ricky-Bobby and even a new GDT hiker, Michelle. I took a very prolonged lunch, even though we had a long distance still to walk. It was way too hot, well into the 90s. I decided a river swim was the best course. And boy did the Carbondale river provide! There were a series of falls and rapids with deep pools beneath. Strider, Alex and I jumped off the rocks into the various pools and I even floated down one of the rapids. It was so much fun and refreshing but the water so cold that my head hurt afterwards! I got a brain freeze!
After my river play, I was shivering so hard, even standing in the sun wasn’t warming me. So it was the perfect thing to motivate me to walk. I felt nice and chilled for a good 30 minutes walking down the hot dusty road. I came to an intersection where another rough ATV led up 1500′ and over a ridge that was exposed to the sun. A blue line alternate continued on the dirt road, staying low and next to Lynx creek for many miles. It was a no brainer to stick to the dirt road. I must have taken 5 more dips in the creek all day. Man was it hot! It was also very beautiful along the creek, one of the nicest dirt road walks I’ve ever done. The views of the nearby mountains were grand and the meadows with wildflowers stunning.
Strider and Woody caught up and we spent the rest of the afternoon and evening walking together. I was glad for this after I saw some grizzly bear footprints…they were ginormous! Alex was contemplating staying at the campground and trying to hitch into town the next morning, so we left him behind. The hitch didn’t look all that straightforward so he ended up walking after all.
We were trying to make it to some reported tentsites near a bridge but ended up going past them. Then there wasn’t much of anything for 3 more miles. I hadn’t wanted to do so many miles but they were mostly all road miles, at least. The last 5 or 6 miles really sucked because the mosquitos started chasing us down the road. I consider myself fair game if I stop, but absolutely hate when the mossies don’t play fair and get me while I’m moving. I had to stop briefly to donn bug gear. Finally, just before it started getting dark, we found some flat spots. I threw my tent up so fast and dove in to escape the mossies. They were PNT bad. I didn’t even eat dinner since it was after 10 pm, the mossies were so terrible, and I was so exhausted. I would get a big breakfast in the morning. Our late night walk left us with only 3.5 miles to Coleman. I was so glad a town nero and zero were coming up.