CDT - Day 99 - Leaving Pinedale
This morning, I got to sleep in until 6:30 a.m. The bunk bed at the Jackalope Lodge was surprisingly comfortable, and the room stayed nice and dark. Pudding and I grabbed a couple of bikes provided by the lodge and rode down to the Wrangler Cafe for breakfast. As I cruised down Main Street, I had this sudden feeling of pure contentment. I could feel the town vortex pulling me in, trying to convince me to stay another day. But September is quickly approaching, and I know I need to use my zero days sparingly. The Wrangler Cafe was exactly as Irish had described it. I ordered my usual scrambled eggs, sausage links, French toast, and a side of fresh fruit—my favorite pre-hike meal. Afterward, Pudding and I rode over to Pinedale Coffee Supply, where I grabbed an oat milk latte and a chocolate-covered waffle. I saved the waffle for the trail. Irish picked us up at 10:30 a.m. and drove us back to the Elkhart Park Trailhead, where we had to hike 11 miles just to return to the Red Line of the CDT. It's a shame that getting into Pinedale requires an 11-mile side trip from the trail because it's such a great town. So far, I'd rank it second only to Lander as one of the most hiker-friendly towns I've visited in Wyoming. After hiking the 11 miles back to the Red Line, we continued toward the Knapsack Col Alternate (Pink Line). The hiking was relatively easy, and we finished the day with 16 miles and 3,379 feet of elevation gain. We set up camp near the stunning Titcomb Lakes, once again surrounded by towering, jagged granite mountains. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes were relentless, so I spent as much time as possible hiding inside my tent.