GDT Day 3

1:30am: I am woken by footsteps. I open my eyes to see if there’s a headlamp; maybe German guy went to the toilet? Nope. I try to get back to sleep. 1:45am: Heavy stomping and breathing. That got my heart rate going! Nothing happened though, I couldn’t see anything even in the moonlight (from inside the tent peaking out) so we eventually went back to sleep. Less sleep than I wanted though! Maybe it’s Lee wandering around … the ruins of his old cabin are within the campsite (a trapper in the early 1900s) 👻

This campsite also had weird wind “waves”: The noise would build up like a giant wave over 10-15 sec, then a gust happened and then the same again a few minutes later. Sounded like ocean waves or an airplane. Strange!

Got up at 6am, packed up, went down to the food area and got organized. German guy got up just before we left. 

On the original schedule, today would have included Rowe Meadows (with lots of grizzlies) and Lineham Ridge (with sketchy footing and exposure). I was told more than once later that GDT hikers have turned around after seeing Lineham.

I was contemplating options yesterday but by the morning it was windy (my hat almost flew off down by the highway at 8:30am) and smoky. Not a day for the ridge! 

Instead I waited for the hiker shuttle to return from Cameron Lake and the very nice lady took me up the road to the Crandell Lake trailhead (road is narrow without shoulder so not safe for walking).

Then we hiked 5km past Crandell Lake to the Red Rock parkway, where it took about 30sec to find a ride up the road. A very nice party of 3 from the Philippines offered a seat in their van … I tried to place Ksanka on the floor but she was on the daughter’s lap before I could even blink (sandy paws on white skirt, embarrassing!). Super excited to get attention and a ride! They were lovely people and definitely doted on the dog!

It was only a few minutes drive up to Red Rock canyon; lots of people, most just taking pictures but some starting hikes too. 

We took the Snowshoe trail which is an old fire road so it was wide and not too steep. 12km total to Twin Lake (400m up), with a stop and chat at Snowshoe camp. 

I have to say I did not feel strong and my legs weren’t really recovered from yesterday. So even the 17km today were enough and I was glad to get to camp. It’s really pretty and wide open … just smoky. 

Ksanka is super patient when tied up around camp and in the tent. But holding on to her all day definitely hurts the muscles! She’s pretty good not pulling but needs reminders, and then every one of the 1000 marmots and squirrels and chipmunks that cross the trail in front of her makes her pull forward. We will have to work on that. 

We joined the mom/daughter after dinner by the lake and are now resting. The wind has died down, hope that doesn’t mean another smoky day tomorrow. Very few bugs and with the smoke it stayed a pleasant temperature all day. 

So tonight we will catch up on some sleep! 

Happy trails!