The trail has descended from the high mountains and is now cutting across the Great Divide Basin of Wyoming. This is a large desert area that does not drain to either the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans… water that ends up here simply doesn’t drain!
Day 80 – Mile 1601.8 – Into Rawlins
This morning we started out with a few miles on a nice gravel road. Even though it was a road walk, it felt very remote and isolated because this part of Wyoming is remote and isolated. I suspect the road is only used by ranchers and hunters, but during hunting season it might be pretty busy. Eventually the trail left the road for a cross-country stretch that had us weaving through sagebrush and cacti. Going cross country is never that easy, but this part was interesting because Wyoming is so beautiful. When we got back on dirt roads we walked past several lakes that were almost dried up and completely full of salt. Last night we officially entered the Great Divide Basin, so the lakes are non-draining and therefore saline. We had lunch at a road-accessible picnic area next to one of the lakes and a friendly van-lifer gave us some well-received water. It’s hot in the Wyoming desert! Then we continued on to Rawlins, which is a very nice town. It’s affordable, and the people are friendly. We did some chores and then went out for a yummy dinner (thanks Anna!). Then we went back to our hotel and hit the hay! On the PCT we didn’t ever stay in a hotel, but on the CDT hotels have been necessary now and then because there aren’t many hiker services available (e.g. showers) from anywhere else in or near the trail towns. -T
Day 81 – Mile 1615.6 – Out of Rawlins
We took it easy this morning. Tim is almost recovered from his cold, so he offered to do the grocery shopping while I slept in. My cold is getting better, but the extra sleep felt great. We went out to a Thai restaurant for lunch, which was super tasty, and then hit the trail (which was on the road for a bit out of Rawlins). A car pulled over and asked if we needed any water. It is hot and deserty here. We were good on water, so he gave us an energy drink instead. It was tasty. When we left the pavement, we saw a lot of greater short horned lizards and some cattle. I am getting some blisters again, but so far they are manageable. I guess my feet don’t like the heat and sand. We hiked until almost 9 pm, which is a bit later than normal. Maybe it was the energy drink or maybe it was the beautiful evening weather and sunset. -R
Day 82 – Mile 1645.8 – In the Desert
We have absolutely re-entered the desert. We started the day partway into a 16 mile dry stretch, had lunch at water surrounded by cattle, and then had another dry stretch of close to 15 miles. The second dry stretch ended at a swimmable reservoir, so we hopped right in. Swimming at the end of the day was extremely refreshing! Our new friend Chocolate Chip found three ticks on himself at the reservoir, but we did a tick check when we were going to bed and we seem to be tick free. The wildlife were abundant today: we saw a ton of pronghorns, especially in the morning and evening. They must hide during the day, because when the sun is low they seem to be everywhere! We probably saw close to 100 of them today. We also saw a weasel during lunch. For dinner we had chili with noodles. Yum! -T
Hi!!!! I think we passed you guys as you hiked the small stretch of highway north of Rawlins. We are traveling from South Dakota back home to Colorado and my son instantly recognized you guys and told me about your TikToks that he has been watching.
If it wasn’t you it’s awesome to know there are a lot of people out there enjoying the great outdoors. Looks the basin has been getting a lot of rain!