Just a ten mile walk to the road that takes us into Trout Lake. It’s a pleasant walk with only a couple climbs. We’re at the road by 11:20 and are in a car on our way to Trout Lake by noon.

When we get into town, we grab some burgers, sodas, shakes, and coffee. Afterwards, we grab our resupply packages that we shipped ourselves in Portland and supplement the lot with whatever odds and ends we care for. Butter has been a new addition. It’s cold enough now that it keeps quite well and makes all the difference in ramen, mac and cheese, or any other instant or near instant meal. We get a ride from Gary, a local logger and forest ranger that now lives in Trout Lake. He’s a legend and such a gentle spirit. We hear stories of elk and bears from his childhood and eat our fair share of snacks in town. After a quick shower (the water was freezing… but we’re clean now), we head back into Gary’s truck and take a ride to trail. No need to pay for a motel in town when our things still smell fine enough.

Wild to think this hike has an end soon. The Mexican border feels equally distant as it does feel recent in our minds. We’ll navigate another reroute around fires tomorrow. Some road walks ahead.

Happy trails…