May 30, 2025
‘Red line’ mile marker 414.3 to 437.6
Hiked today: 23.3 miles / 37.5 km

We said goodbye to the Toaster House at 5.30, creeping quietly so as not to wake up the others who were all still sleeping. Because of the very dry conditions and lack of water points, we have calculated that the safest way to the next town is to take a mixture of CDT and alternate routes which will likely be almost all road walking.

It was pleasant in the cool of the clear morning until a car came shooting past, leaving us in a cloud of dust. Turning to look as it passed, we noticed that it was a Sherriff’s truck, possibly off to some emergency.

Along the way, we saw a group of elk crossing the road ahead. A little further and a car pulled to a stop beside us. We saw that it was the friendly lady from the post office in Pietown. She told us that there was a pronghorn (type of antelope) up ahead that we might see if we went quietly. We thanked her, and crept along for the next quarter of a mile but it had moved off into the trees.

We continued on along the unsealed road, stopping for occasional breaks in the shade, until we came to the TLC Ranch. Here they offer cool water and seating in the shade for hikers. We took a 1 hour lunch break and were glad to be out of the heat. We had already hiked 15 miles,  and expected to go just another 6 or 7 in the unrelenting afternoon heat.

We have stopped close to a water source and will set up the tent when the day has cooled down a bit more. It is 6 pm and the sun is still hot, and the ground is radiating the heat from the day. We collected water from a tyre ‘tank’ which is fed by a solar powered well. We are again sharing the cows’ water after double filtering it. Dinner will be a freeze dried food package supplemented with 2 minute noodles. In a few more weeks, when we are more hungry, all these will seem incredibly delicious. Now they are ok and at least fill us up.