CDT - Day 92 - South Pass City and Lander
I always forget that camping near lakes and streams usually means waking up to a tent full of condensation. This morning was no exception, so I spent a few minutes wiping down the inside of my tent before making coffee. It was surprisingly cool when the three of us left camp. After a few hours, though, the heat returned, and it became another hot hike through the sagebrush desert. As we approached South Pass City, the landscape changed. Suddenly we were hiking alongside a creek beneath the shade of trees. Walking into South Pass City was a fun experience. It felt like we had stepped back in time. The CDT runs right through the historic district, making it feel like you're walking through an old Western movie set. The gift shop was exactly what we needed: ice cream, cold sodas, and a nice break from the heat. My resupply box was waiting for me, and I quickly transferred the food into my pack. It was completely full, so I gave my extra snacks and food to Hiker Greg. After our break, we hiked north out of town, taking a shortcut toward Highway 28. We had planned to hitch from the highway, but before we even got there, a kind woman named Jan offered us a ride. As it turned out, Jan is a geologist, and she shared all kinds of fascinating facts about the area's geology. She even gave us a short tour of Lander before dropping me off at my motel. Our first stop was McDonald's, where we ordered an unhealthy amount of food. Afterward, we spent a few hours relaxing and planning the next section of the trail. It looks like Pudding and Hiker Greg will be hiking with me for at least another 170 miles, and possibly even farther. My first impression of Lander is that it's a much nicer town than Rawlins. It already feels like a proper thru-hiker town. We'll see if I still feel that way after a couple of nights, but so far, I really like it.