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I managed to hitch into town by jumping in on a shuttle that two ladies had prearranged. They had dropped their car off at the trailhead and had a shuttle lined up to pick them up and take them to the start of their 6 day hike starting at Green River. The shuttle would pass through Pinedale on the way. Perfect! One the ladies said that they paid $75 each for the full shuttle and I offered to chip in some cash for the ride to Pinedale but she suggested given its already paid for to slip the driver some cash instead, which I did.
Once in town I headed for second breakfast at a local cafe recommended by the shuttle driver and it didn’t disappoint. A huge serving and endless coffee until I’d had enough.
I was able to post some more gear home to further lighten my load, shipping off my long pants that I never wear, a pullover that is too bulky for pack and some odds and ends. The international shipping rates are ridiculous. For 2 lb of gear it cost over $50 US dollars to send but the gear is worth more than that.
I wandered up the far end of town to the Quality Inn which the ladies from the shuttle recommended I asked the fella at reception if they had any rooms I could check into right now. Seeing that I was a CDT hiker, the first that had come to this motel for the season, the manager went out of his way to sort me out, finding an unreserved room that was made up and ready to go. He also gave me a hefty discount as the first hiker for the season. I made sure to grab a business card so that I could spread the word online to other hikers coming through and send additional business his way. An early checkin was fantastic as it freed up the rest of the day without having to to lug a pack around.
It meant I to get some forward planning completed, resupply with food for the next leg ahead, get the laundry done and dry my wet tent. I can deal with wearing the same pair of socks for several days in dry conditions but add wet water crossings and mud into the mix, there is an absolutely disgusting stench after a day that appals even me. I had to get my shoes out of the room and store them outside, at least get some UV onto them.
The motel manager stored his mountain bike out the front and said to use it to get across town for chores and even offered to drive me back up to the trail head tomorrow morning. Wow! Super nice guy.
After a much needed shower and drying my wet gear I headed to the local brewery for a pint of porter and steak sandwich; visited the local outfitter store for some minor supplies; got the laundry done across the road; hit up grocery store for food and just generally chilled.
Planning ahead I am looking at trying to shorten this trip up by heading in a more direct line north off the CDT to cutoff a large horseshoe section of trail out towards the west. This is known as the Big sky Cut off. On first planning this hike there was no way I would have contemplated taking this route. Now having hiked most of the CDT, coming to understanding what it is and what it isn’t; recognising that it not as interesting as previous trails that I’ve done; and the toll it is taking on my body unlike anything has in the past; I’m keen to shorten this trip as much as possible while still having walked the length of the US for the second time. So now I seriously looking at this as an option after Yellowstone. It will mean missing most of the section along the Idaho-Montana border but I hear that Idaho is beautiful and warrants a trip in its own right in future.
Eating is a major part of town days and healthy is better after all the processed trash that gets consumed on trail so I headed out for Chinese for dinner, feasting on a huge combination dish to fuel me up. The fortune cookie that came with the bill had my grinning with its very relevant and sage advice “Adventure fuels the soul; pursue it with passion.”
Mick Beckers 