CDT - Day 96 - Jackass Pass and Texas Pass
This morning I woke up overlooking Temple Lake at an absolutely magnificent campsite. It's easily one of my favorite campsites of all time. As the sun rose, the jagged granite peaks lit up with a beautiful orange glow. The morning was cool, but not cold—an incredible way to start the day. The hiking somehow became even more spectacular as we approached the Cirque of the Towers. The view from the south side of Jackass Pass was already amazing, but once I reached the top and looked into the cirque, it completely exceeded my expectations. If anyone ever asks whether they should take the Cirque of the Towers Alternate (Blue Line) in Wyoming, my answer is simple: absolutely. It's one of the best sections of the entire CDT. That said, getting there isn't easy. Both Jackass Pass and Texas Pass are steep climbs, with Texas Pass being especially challenging. The Cirque of the Towers is also a very popular destination for day hikers and backpackers. We passed dozens of people throughout the day who were out enjoying the incredible scenery and alpine lakes. Fortunately, none of them had camped near us at Temple Lake the night before, so we had enjoyed a peaceful evening. By the end of the day, I had hiked 19.55 miles and climbed 4,373 feet. The final few miles brought us back to the Red Line and the official CDT. I also finished listening to Dreaming by J. Allan Hobson. I'd highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the science of dreaming.