Twig Adventures

August 5th, 2019 Hitch back to Green River Lakes campground Distance in miles: none I am going to a hikertrash wedding today! Two people I have never even met before are getting married on the trail and only thru-hikers are invited. They purposely planned it this way. I have no idea what to expect but since we saved about 24 miles not having to take the side trail to Pinedale, we figure we earned a zero. I have never taken a zero on trail before and this seems like one of the better reasons to do so. But first we have to get back to the campground. And before that, I have a lot of online business to attend to.[…]

August 4th, 2019 Hitch to Pinedale Distance in miles: just walking around town We planned to hike for 2 more days, taking a 12 mile side trail and hitch to Pinedale on the 5th for resupply. Relentless also has new shoes waiting in town, which he desperately needs. But that side trail would have meant an additional 24 miles RT for us, adding to an already long section through the Winds Range. Yesterday we started formulating a plan to hitch to Pinedale from Green River Lakes campground, no side trail necessary. It would mean a 5 day food carry (115 miles) to finish the section, which is certainly within our ability. Seeing so many people at the campground for the[…]

August 3rd, 2019 Mm 1117.3 to Green River Lakes mm 1152 Distance in miles: 34.7 0600-1830 We hope for another big day to make it to the Green River and Lakes, portal to the Wind River range. We are on the march early as usual, our actions almost mechanical at this point. The trail flows up to a ridge where there are views of the Tetons and back to the buttes where we started the day before. The miles tick by as we roll along. Twelve down by 10 am, nearly 21 done by 1 pm. We could be in camp by 6 pm at such a rate.But I always slow down by the afternoon. We take a long break[…]

August 2nd, 2019 HWY 26 mm 1099.3 to mm 1117.3 Distance in miles: 18 1140-1830 I toss and turn a lot in the night, not as comfortable as I thought I would be on the cot. At least it is pretty quiet, in spite of the highway noise. I have to open a window that is right near my head, as it’s stuffy inside. It rained for a long time overnight and the morning is brisk and fresh. We go to a coffee shop that does breakfast items. I have been dreaming of a lox bagel for some time and they have one on the menu…the most expensive item at $14. But I have to get it, plus a breakfast[…]

August 1st, 2019 Cabin mm 1077.7 to HWY 26 mm 1099.3, then hitch to Dubois Distance in miles: 21.6 0515-1240 We nail our early start, timing it so that we only use headlamps for the first 20 minutes. Grizzlies are heavy in the area, so I don’t want to be hiking in the dark for long. I then have to do my morning business off trail a bit and wouldn’t you know it, Relentless goes around a corner to give me some privacy and promptly spies a grizzly go tearing up the hill. I miss it because I’m off doing what bears do in the woods. I figure we will probably see another one somewhere this day but we never[…]

July 31st, 2019 Crooked Creek Campsite mm 1046.9 to Cabin mm 1077.7 Distance in miles: 30.8 0615-1940 I sleep the best night’s sleep in a long while. I think I have to do over 30 miles to be tired enough these days. We’ve noticed a lot of bear evidence around and talked to numerous people that have recently seen them, so you would think that might make me restless. But no. The bears have to sleep too…don’t they? We continue to follow the watershed up to the headwaters, outside the National Park boundaries, then up and over a 10,000′ saddle. The alpine meadows allow views of the Tetons and back the way we’ve come. We pass 3 NOBOs before 0730[…]

July 30th, 2019 Moose Creek Meadow Campsite mm 1012.6 to Crooked Creek Campsite mm 1046.9 Distance in miles: 34.3 0615-1940 What starts as a pretty bad morning finishes strong and bright in the end. The mosquitoes are just so bad for the first 10 miles, I’m struggling to find any pleasure in the day. The trail winds above Shoshone Lake and there’s not much to see but dense forest, with a few views of the lake. I walk as fast as I can but the bugs chase me down, latch on, and bite through my R1 fleece and shirt, as well as through the buff that I have covering my face and head. They are so fast and can go[…]

July 29th, 2019 Summit Lake, CDT mm 988 to Moose Creek Meadow Campsite mm 1012.6 Distance in miles: 24.6 0500-1820 This post is a guide on how to stuff yourself silly at a buffet and be a tourist for several hours, bookended by a full day’s hike. We are up and on the trail as planned, set to hike 10 miles by 8 am. We use headlamps for about 30 minutes and I am a bit wary of large animals. But we stick close to each other and have faith that there is not much that would bother a gang of 3 hikers. The sun eventually rises but it seems to get even cooler. I have to put on my[…]

July 28th, 2019 Mm 6.5 of Mac’s Inn alternate to Summit Lake, CDT mm 988 Distance in miles: 19 0730-1600 Today is the shortest distance I’ve hiked on the CDT when there isn’t a town involved. It’s also one of the easiest days terrain-wise. I don’t recall one rise where I even have to increase my breathing. We get started super late, by my standards, since we are in no hurry. We can only go so far without getting too close to Old Faithful Village for the night. It’s kind of nice to lounge around, talking and enjoying breakfast. This was the first night that Samson camped with us and we love his company. He’s a fluids engineer and worked[…]

July 27th, 2019 Mm 17 to mm 6.5 of Mac’s Inn alternate Distance in miles: 10.5 1200-1930 I wake up with a pretty bad migraine and am thinking that pushing hard and doing big miles is healthier for me than taking it easy around towns. But we have to slow down these next 2 days because Relentless has a few packages at the PO in Old Faithful Village, Yellowstone, and it doesn’t open until Monday. This is the problem with having to mail stuff to a PO…inevitability your unpredictable schedule will land you there on the 1 or 2 days it’s closed. I try to sleep in but can’t. So I get up to hang out in the fancy hotel[…]