Dodging Storms

When I woke up, I learned the footsteps and snorting outside my tent last night was a herd of cows. I packed up quickly, relieved that I wasn't trampled. Early morning, the trail crossed Johnson Gulch, mile 0.7, and I stopped for water.

I hiked on and off today with a hiker named Patrick. We both started from Waterton Canyon on the same day and crossed paths a few times. Later in the day, at mile 6.9, the trail crossed US Hwy 285 / Kenosha Pass, the end of Segment 5 and start of Segment 6. I felt nostalgia for the countless drives between Gunnison and Denver.

When I reached Deadman Creek at mile 11.4, I stopped for water and to rinse off my feet. As I reached to peel off my socks downstream, my sock flew off my foot, jumped out of my hand, lept into the water, and was swept away. After a moment of denial and a futile search, the sock was declared lost.

With an odd number of socks, I continued, crossing Jefferson Creek at mile 12.9 and climbing to the top of Georgia Pass and the Continental Divide, 11,874 feet at mile 19.2. Clouds built, and I felt concerned about the approaching storm, especially above tree line. Fortunately, the weather held off, and the trail descended quickly, crossing over the Middle Fork of the Swan River at mile 24.0. I camped a few miles later, beyond the bridge over the North Fork Swan River, thinking about lost socks.