CDT Day 88 Hello Wyoming

Last updated:December 14, 2020

14th July

28.9 miles

Roadcamp (1330.3) to Highway 70 (1359.2)

It was still dark when I finished eating my breakfast. I wanted To make it 29 miles to highway 70 with enough time to hitch into the town of Encampment, Wyoming. It’s a notoriously difficult hitch due to the lack of traffic.

My left foot started to hurt as soon as I started hiking. Right on the heal. I stretched my calf but the minor pain stayed with me for the rest of the day.

It was about 8 miles to the Colorado/Wyoming border. A non descript piece of pine woodland and a modest sign welcoming me to Wyoming.

Colorado has been difficult. I must admit that in glad it’s behind me. It was certainly the most difficult hiking I’ve ever done. Attempting to hike the San Juan Mountains in late May/ early June was crazy. Just too much snow and too dangerous. Then the altitude affected me. And finally Giardia made me sick and weak. Yes I’m glad I survived. Most did not. Another hiker told me that the CDTC estimated that there are only 75 northbound hikers left on trail out of an approximate 300 hikers who started. I’m happy to be in the minority.

The trail was rather easy but navigation was needed as there wasn’t much of a trail in many places. Mud and swamp in many places. There is a wildfire burning on the Colorado/ Wyoming border. It’s not threatening the trail but I was only a couple of miles away.

I made it to the highway at 6.30pm. I didn’t fancy my chances of hitchhiking to the nearest town so late in the day. It took me an hour to get a lift, only 4 vehicles went past in that time.

I walked into the bar at the town of Riverside. Several other hikers were there. A couple of beers and a meal later I stretched out on the floor of a cabin with 7 other hikers. Hello Wyoming.

Next – Day 89 Back on Track

Everything you need to know about hiking the CDT:
Complete Guide to Hiking the Continental Divide Trail
CDT Resupply Guide
CDT Gear List