Day 185: mile 1055.1-1076.6
The night was quite cold, and so was the morning. I drank most of the water from my bottle and set it down, maybe 15 minutes later I noticed the remaining water had frozen. That’s how cold it was! I slept with all my layers on, including my hiking pants. My Mom was kind enough to send me some hand and feet warmers that I ended up sticking to my face while I slept. Very effective. At first I was not happy she sent me extra weight to carry around, but I have to admit they were really nice.
The cold continued as I started hiking. Even in the sunshine I kept my puffy, wind jacket, and even my fleece pants on for the first part of the day. After those came off I put on my rain kilt on as an extra layer to block the wind from my legs. My spandex weren’t doing the trick
It was almost 11 am, and the water was still frozen over a portion of trail. Up and over and around I went to avoid slipping on the ice.
I made it across and on to intermittent gusting wind. Wow that windchill! …but the views were so nice.
The landscape changed a bit and it was just me and the dirt until I came across Blue Lake. I also hit some trail magic on the trail! This wonderful couple was doing some fishing in the area and offered me an apple. Yes, I’ll take it! They also told me the smoke I noticed was a prescribed burn and not to worry. Phew.
More lakes as I crossed over to the other side. I don’t think I’ll get anywhere with these views, but I still had a pass to conquer so on I went.
Whoa, Carson Pass was a lot more than I was expecting, and man was it cold as the sun was going down! It was a rough way to end the day. I made it up and over the pass, admired Frog Lake quickly, and hauled it to Meiss Trailhead where I hoped to camp. There were pit toilets and an information center. I found a flat spot where a picnic table normally sits during season and set up. I wasn’t supposed to sleep here, but it was brutally cold and the information center was clearly closed, so I gave myself permission. A family pulled up in an RV stared as they went in and out of the bathrooms. I hoped they’d offer to let me come inside for a minute to warm up, but no such luck. I jumped inside my tent and stuck more feet warmers on my face to defrost myself over dinner.
Goodnight!
XOXO Green Light