Riding back to the trail with Blaze and Sing Song after a quick stop at Lake City BakeryA big thank you to Casey, who’s already given more than 100 CT hikers a lift this season!!Puddles from last night’s heavy rainGreat views of Red MountainCell towers, but (amazingly) no cell serviceDark clouds signaling what’s soon to comeThe rain and hail start as soon as I sit down to eat some lunchClimbing steep switchbacks in the cold rainViews of Red Mountain and Lake San Cristobal to the northOnce at the top, the rain stops and the wind beginsWet wildflowers dot the landscapeWe make it to the trail’s highest point (L to R: Puff Puff, me, Sing Song, Squirrel & Indy)After the high point, it’s time to race down some serious switchbacks before the rain returnsViews of the trail below usThe remains of an old log cabinBut we don’t beat the rainAnd then the hail begins to pelt us…So we race into the valley and set up camp in a semi-flat spot amid some bushesAfter a 90-minute torrential downpour spent huddled in our tents, the skies clear to reveal these views
