Day 75 Mill Creek

23.2 miles

I was out on the highway attempting to hitching by 7am. Uncertain of the best spot I shifted a couple of times finding a section with space for a car to pull off to the side. By 7:45 a local contractor Brandy pulled up and offered me a ride to the junction of Hwy 28 & 287 eight miles out of town. He would turn off on 287. I had to keep going along 28.

15 minutes later I was on the side of the road again my my thumb out. It only took another 5 minutes to secure a ride, this time with Lenny, another local contractor. He initially drove past but then turned around to pick me up. Maybe it was the old man white beard look standing in the sun that changed his mind. He was headed to Atlantic City which is not quite where I wanted to get but was able to drop me off a few miles from South Pass City which was on trail. I didn’t mind walking a few extra backcountry road mile to get back on trail and it was great to hike through South Pass City, an old west town, half of which is now an historic site.

Lenny had me on trail by 8:30am and early enough to put in a solid days hiking.

I met back up with the Red Line in no time and wandered into South Pass City. 

The visitor shop wasn’t quite open when I arrived but the lady was out the front chatting to a local and said I could go in. A smoko snack of cold creamy soda and an ice-cream was in order.

It was another super warm day and the morning was spent out in the open along dirt roads. Sweat was dripping off my forehead and it was at this point that I realised I’d lost a bandanna somewhere in Rawlins, probably in the laundry room at the motel. This was my sweat, snot and grim rag that hangs off my pack for quick access. Humid and muggy I find these the worst weather days. So energy draining and it means chugging down water all day.

The humidity brings out the mosquitoes as well. I’m not a god fearer but couldn’t help think if one did exist what an absolute arsehole – to create such a beautiful environment only to spoil it by also creating those little blood sucking beasts.

Right at the end of the day while filling water for the third time today I met Firecracker and Jan Solo at Milm Creek. We camped together 0.1 miles further on at a trail junction.

This is everyone’s first night in Grizzly country and we’re still finding their feet when it comes to hanging food bags. How high the tree should they bed; how far away from camp; what are the best knots to use…..