June 14, 2025
‘Red line’ mile marker 749.0 to 770.6
Hiked today: 21.6 miles / 34.8 km

Today was another perfect hiking weather day. The trail was much more interesting as it took us through forests, beside a lake, across meadows and around a steep mountainside. We saw elk in the forest and deer grazing down in a valley. The ground had pretty much dried out, so there was no mud to deal with.

We needed to get water from the lake so I headed down to the shore. As I approached I saw an animal swim towards a log with something (probably a small fish) in its mouth. At first glance it looked like a platypus – brown and with a long flat tail. Later we saw a log that had been chewed by a beaver so, on reflection,  I am sure that it must have been a beaver that I saw.

Last night two of our friends (Amethyst and Timber) walked past our tent and camped just a little further on. They told us that they hoped to organise a ride to town which we could share. Since we started hiking early, we passed them before they had packed up, and didn’t see them again until this evening, when we shared a dinner spot.

Timber is carrying an extra sleep pad which he has kindly loaned us for the night. Without phone reception,  we still have yet to hear about the ride into town. We should be able to get to Cumbres Pass by midday and if we don’t have a ride organised, we will hitch into the town of Chama where we plan to spend to spend two nights.