Grand Lakes

Day 66

Date: 06.07.2022

CDT Mile: Mile 1'343.6

Miles hiked: 20 miles / 32 km

Elevation: 1'903 feet ascent (580 m Aufstieg) / 3'478 feet descent (Abstieg 1'061 m)

Camping at: Shadowcliff Mountain Lodge, Grand Lake

Our tent neighbour's woke me up at 5am this morning. They started to talk so I couldn't sleep any longer too. Probably a good thing. I was on trail around 5.45am already! But it was a hell of a night. It rained heavily and my tent even dropped water inside onto my face and everything in the tent. Not super badly, but it still got a little wet. I opened the vestibules which helped but with the rain outside it being that moist everything was dripping in the morning. But at least it didn't rain anymore. However, the mosquito's were out badly. I guess being in lower elevation and in this moist area, they just love it here. But also mosquito's help to get ready fast. There is no way you can stand still for only a second!

It's a 20 miles hike into Grand Lakes and I can't wait for a shower and laundry. I think this is the stinkiest I have ever been in my life! Also, it is mostly downhill or straight hiking today, not much uphill (god thanks!), it will be an easy hike. And it was beautiful too. We hiked along many lakes and the colorado river, which is more likeda beautiful lake too. I run into a Moose again. I wouldn't have noticed him, if he wouldn't have noticed me first and run off through the woods. They are super camouflaged once they are in the trees. Then they stand still and you can hardly see them anymore.

I was also very emotional the last couple of days and this morning. The bad weather just takes all the pleasure out of hiking and I am asking myself if I really want to continue. I don't enjoy it much anymore. It is a constant race against the rain and thunderstorms. Getting up early in the morning to get as far as possible without getting rained and hailed on (which hurts too!), trying to avoid the bad thunderstorms and lightening while hiking over passes and ridge lines, drying out the gear in between if possible and trying to hike big miles in this altitude and with these climbs. Then hike all afternoon in the rain, trying to reach camp as early as possible and get warm again (which sucks if you couldn't dry out the gear during the day (if no sun). Most of the views are blocked with fog, clouds or rain or otherwise it is too cold too really enjoy them or even be able to take a picture. It's a lot of pressure and not much of enjoyment. I also miss my trail family who even are behind me a couple of days or left the trail.

I made it to Grand Lakes shortly after noon. Boss is here somewhere too, Ducky still behind and Vista will not make it to Grand Lakes at all today. My US phone plan died so I can't contact any of them. But reaching town I run into CDT hikers I haven't met before. That is super nice and cheers me up again. There is a super cool Hostel here on top of a rock and I can use their phone to book the last bunk bed in the girls dorm (they only have 5 beds though). Super lucky! However, they don't have laundry. So this is the first time on trail I have to use a public laundromat. And the group was just on their way to go there. Fab! I join and all 4 of us undress naked in the public laundromat to get into our raingear and wash all our clothes (incl underwear obviously! And I only carry one!🤣) we get ice cream while the laundry is being done. And by that time also Ducky gets into town. She can stay at a trail angel for tonight as the hostel is fully booked. Up in the hostel Boss texted me. He has booked a room at a hotel, paying 210 USD! That's crazy, I pay for my bed 37 USD, but the Hostel is fully booked. I was really super lucky to get the last bed! The Hostel is amazing. Build on a rock overlooking the town, made out of wood. I love it. We dry out all our gear (tent, sleepingbag, shoes, tyvek) and I finally I also get my shower. I feel soooo good afterwards. Freshly showered and more or less clean clothes (I fall my clothes never get super clean even after washing them). Time for dinner then. Ducky and I meet up back in town, enjoying some time at the beautiful lake side. Grand Lake is very beautiful, a rich town. Like Gstaad in Switzerland. I get a big tenderloin steak, being fully happy now. What a day. Hiking 20 miles, being clean and fed and it only rained on us once very briefly while hiking up to the hostel. If only all days would be like this!

Walking back to the hostel the group from the afternoon called me from the other side of them road. What a timing. Together we walk back and have a very nice evening, ending around the fire in the hostel, playing guitar, singing and talking.

Note: I talked to a waitress and she said that this year has been super rainy. Last year it hardly rained, like 2 or 3 times all summer. It's good for the nature, but bad luck for us hikers! And the weather doesn't change as per forecast😒

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