9.5 miles, easy and moderate

The wind was COLD and gusty all night, whipping and whirling around our tarp, which we set up when it looked like rain. The morning was cool as well, but no rain so far. It took a while to get out of camp with the cold wind hindering our rituals.

We had a beautiful day of walking despite the wind (which makes me crazy) and after a few miles we ascended to higher levels of the rocky, rugged landscape. Up and over a hill and a ridge and we are in the heart of a gorgeous canyon system with layers of the Earth’s shell right out there for us to see. Deep red heart of the Earth exposed to the ribs.

TRAIL NOTES:
The water holes mentioned in the book just before mile 29 of section 3 should not be counted on. What once were water holes “guarded by a pair of duck” is now a completely trashed mud pit, a wreaking cow toilet you’ll want to avoid.