11 1846.9 6/25/2021 sunny, small hail, sprinkles, at the end hail, then rain. Justin drove me from the campsite to the trailhead. Then he walked me down to the CDT and after a hug I was off at about 5:55 am. The grass and bushes along the trail were full of dew so my pants, shoes and socks were drenched within a few feet. I had two climbs during the first half. The first was gentle from the Green River flood plain up to the surrounding hills. The climb was a little easier but I’m still trying to get my “trail legs”. The second climb was longer and steeper. Almost from the beginning I counted “twenty-fives”. I can’t even try to remember how many I did, but it was a lot. Nevertheless, all hills must end and I finally crested the grassy peak where I stopped for a snack and water. The wind was blustery and I was cold. Maybe that was when the weather front came through. There were many minor blowdowns and a few bigger ones. During one it started to hail and I got out my rain jacket, pack cover and umbrella. I had been expecting rain, not hail. I got through the blowdown and the hail stopped. I hiked across a broad grassy plain and at that time the wind was too strong for the umbrella so I put it away. Then it would sprinkle and I’d put it up. In the last mile I had to cross a stream and I got my shoes, socks, and pants wet up to the mid-thigh. Now my pants might not dry before bedtime, and because I sleep in them I’m not happy – grrr! On the climb I saw a newborn dear all huddled down on the trail tread. I initially thought it was dead until it blinked its eye. At the end of the day Justin was right where he’d planned he would be. He was up in the pop-up and I, after putting my backpack in the back, sat in the driver’s seat to warm up.
