11 miles, 6 hours

We woke to a wild turkey gobbling in flight over our heads. Oh, and snow. A storm blew in yesterday and sealed the deal overnight.

The raging winds and continuing snow ruled out summitting Mount Ellen, so we continued up but then took a road skirting the south side to make our way around. We still had to walk up to about 9,500 feet in the storm but the intermittent views were worth it. We got to preview Tarantula Mesa and Capitol Reef. Looks impossible from a distance but we know the route will get us through.

TRAIL NOTES:
To take the south road go left at section 5, mile 10.6, then after a couple of miles turn right at Copper Ridge junction to go up a ridge. After about a mile turn left at a junction and traverse from there. You rejoin the route at the ridge with the radio tower. There was intermittent trickle along Sweetwater Creek. There is a spring at 23.7 but it was very alkaline and gave us intestinal distress.