Journey Day 402 | CDT Day 65

Hiking toward the Cirque of the Towers in Wyoming in 1987.

8/18/87

Up amazingly, not too badly hung over! Into the restaurant before 8 a.m., not enough sleep. Coffee, eggs, hash browns and excellent ham. Gene and Dick come in feeling ragged. Peggy curses us all for keeping Lyle up. He seems the same, big and slow. Gene and Dick leave quickly. I clear my tab, only three beers, no charge for camping and Peggy won't let me give her a tip. Outside, put off tent breakdown until the sun can melt, dry. Call Way who's at a meeting, Alvarados, talking with Margarita awhile.

Back over, talk more with Swiss involved in Peruvian potato seed program. Take down camp, sadly hike out to road and begin hitch. Read the Magic Journey. Long wait, few cars, sun shining bright! Finally a couple from Asheville, N.C., picks me up. Fun talk (They're on vacation in the West). At parking lot, leave more new friends, get agua, no sign of Chicago couple. Walking out to lake, meet lady from N.M. with baby. Onto trail with beautiful views of the lake, Cirque of the Towers, including Squaretop and Granite Peaks. Pass many folks, into the Wind Rivers, such a change from the last section. People and trails!

At bridge by the trail to Porcupine Pass, talk with a group, meet Indiana, Florida guys with giant packs. Hike near them, pass other folks, lazy, flat walk along the lake shore.

At second lake, great views of Squaretop backing Upper Green Lake. Talk with guys, then bushwhack to nice perch for a big lunch and Little Debbie O.D. On, meet with three from Brunswick, Ohio, near my hometown.

Pass the couple from Asheville on their way out. Another long talk. Then meet a Jansport pack user, his belt bent under a giant pack, probably weighing 100 pounds, killing him. Hike with him to his friends. Quick discussion, then I hike on, they're perplexed by the setback. Into the woods, soon find night site on the Green River. Cook, pitch, updating as darkness hits. So head for the tent...