Day 9
Starting mile 81.2
After a hard day I was rewarded with a great night sleep at Muskrat Creek Shelter. While I was relaxing in my hammock I made my plans for the next couple of days. I decided to stay around the group I was with now. This means the next couple of days will be about 12.5 miles a day and then another day at a hostel.
The hiking in the morning was a breeze. A nice easy ridge walk with glorious views all around me. This is the type of hiking I love. The miles fly by and there are views wherever you look. Even the uphill sections were nice and easy.
After about four miles I took a break and had some breakfast. This was at the bottom of Standing Indian Peak, the lone extended climb of the day at over 1,000 ft. After yesterday’s hiking I wasn’t looking forward to it, but unfortunately out here the miles don’t hike themselves so off I went. To my surprise it was a nice gentle climb up the mountain. This was also our first 5,000 ft mountain. We’ve got a bunch more of these coming up.
Once at the top a dropped my pack and made some lunch. While I was eating three young men on spring break came up from the other side. They were on a four day trip that was ending the next day so they could get home for Easter. It was nice to see young people out backpacking without any adult supervision. I thought those days were over.
After answering many questions they had about my trip I said goodbye and headed down the mountain. From here on out it was mainly downhill and I flew into camp at Carter Gap Shelter. All in it was a 12.5 mile day.
Ending mile 93.7.