Day 10 Michigan Creek Trailhead to North Fork Swan River

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Mileage: 12.5 miles

Elevation: high point of 11,800 feet and low point at 9,900 feet

As we lay in our warm tent to write about our day, there's a chattering chipmunk that is staring at us in the tree. He will not be quiet. He thinks we're trying to steal his sacred pine nut. If only we know chippy language, we could tell him to calm down. But he is the star of the afternoon none the less...

Now, let's back up to 7 AM this morning. 

The crisp air, the world just awakening, and the grounding smell of pine are the perfect match to an early morning start to our nine hour hiking day. 

We begin with a steady climb through pine trees that became smaller and smaller as we got higher and higher. Through the trees, we started to see the high peaks around us. 

This was our view for a couple of miles until the trees parted into a lovely alpine meadow. There was still patches of snow on the ground. 

The meadow had us climbing to the top of Georgia pass at 11,900 feet. 

And then this is what happened...

We climb to the very top and we realize we missed the turn-off for water a half mile down the trail!. So we hid our packs behind some big boulders and headed towards the ice glacier.

The water was the best tasting water ever! It was worth the half mile hike.

And then we were off again to the top of the pass.

We were once again awestruck by the majestic beauty of these mountain ranges. 

Over the hill from the top of this pass, the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide join one trail and will continue together for the next 300 miles. 

After our disastrous epic fail of rehydrating bean dip for lunch (it was like a soup), we were forced to stop in the middle of the trail and heat up water for our emergency back up meal. It was award-winning by Pippy and Zippy's standards. Zippy had the awesome idea of buying sprouts to add zazz to our meals.

Mmmmmm..... Chili cheese enchilada casserole topped with crumbled Lundberg rice chips and Utah-grown sprouts! 

Pippy had a food coma after that and could barely keep her legs moving over the stumps and rocks. Zippy, on the other hand, was jollily singing a song about "500 miles ....and something about missing a train. She wanted Pippy to join in and sing along as she noted singing regulates the breathing pattern. Pippy didn't fall for it. Instead, she requested to stop at the next stream to cool off her feet. 

Huckleberry Pippy 

And then there's the Chippy Zippy! Still singing!

This stream was a welcome sight as we knew our campground was near. The last mile is always the hardest.

Pippy almost passed out in exhaustion, but was saved by her comfy thermorest and blow up pillow. Zippy soon joined for an afternoon nap.

Awhhhhh.....

We were awakened by our grumbling stomachs ready for dinner. Naturally, we had to strike a model pose at our camp spot for the night. Speaking of which, it's time to eat again! All we do us hike, eat, sleep, and look for a place to pee. But, it's so awesome! Loving every step of the way! Peace out friends! Until tomorrow..