This trail is nuts. We have been traveling in and out of canyons the last day and a half. We hiked a lot on jeep roads, but then anytime there is some really interesting canyon, the route takes us off trail and down, then back up a canyon.
I have no idea how they got the idea to put a route through some of this, it’s gnarly. Many points we come to are huge pour offs with 50+ feet below, and somehow we find a route down. The canyons are still beautiful and the feeling of remoteness is unbeatable. We have not seen another individual since we left Hurrah Pass, 2 days ago. All we see is the occasional footprints, and tire marks on the jeep roads. It feels amazing, I don’t expect we will see another thru hiker on this route.
The water has gone from bad, to worse, to better. We drank Colorado River water all day yesterday, not bad taste, just fear that it is filled with chemicals. This morning we made our way to a great looking spring. The problem was the salty taste, I gagged more than a few times drinking it. Indian Creek was amazing, clear, cold, crisp water. We ponied up there, all with as much water as we could carry, for me, thanks to Zach, that was 10 liters. We are in the middle of a 35 mile waterless stretch, though we found water in the creekbed near where we are camped, 30 miles to the next guaranteed water source.
I am beat up. My pack must be pushing 50 pounds with the water, slightly sunburnt, scratches from bushwhacking, sore feet from blownout shoes, and dehydrated slightly. The other 2 guys are hurting as well. This is a tough route, but anytime I am annoyed, I look up, and the scenery reminds me just how good I have it. We made close to 15 miles today, a lot considering the amount of rock scrambling we did.
We have 70 miles to Hite Marina, our next resupply. We will have to pick up the pace in order to not run out of food. Looks like a little easier stuff coming up, we should be ok.
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