July 30, 2026
There were some gusty winds overnight but otherwise fine weather. It felt nice to wake up to a completely dry tent. We got on trail a bit before 8:30.
Several people had passed by while we were setting up, eating dinner, and even some hiking with headlamps after we went to bed. However we passed only two tents in the morning - we (mostly me) are just slow in the morning compared to most through-hikers.
The trail follows down the Straight Creek Valley, crossing to the east side of the creek, then staying level along that side of the valley as the creek continues to fall. It crosses a small tributary stream and that is the last water source for almost 14 miles. Eventually, the trail leaves the valley and follows around the south side of a mountain. From there it follows along the top of a ridge, for several miles on an old road bed. A trail angel had left several gallons of water at a trailhead in this area but they were all empty.
The trail leaves the old road and begins skirting the eastern border of the Hermosa Creek Wilderness Area. The geology is interesting because the Hermosa Creek area seems to have eroded out of a different system of hills and valleys. For miles we walked with a steep drop to the left (west) and gently rolling country to the right. There is a forest road that also runs along the border of the Wilderness and some other trail angels left a couple other water caches where the trail meets the road. We took about half a gallon from one of these, although we ended up finally reaching Deer Creek still having about that amount - definitely better to have a little extra water than to run out - thank you anonymous trail angel! Although Deer Creek did not have a strong flow, it was flowing and we loaded up with a total of 5.5 liters.
We walked almost four more miles and found a really neat campsite tucked into some trees in a saddle, still having the big drop to the west.
The view to the northwest is fascinating to us because we can see distant mountains that we were on the other side of not that many days ago. Closer we can see Hermosa Peak and the ridge behind it - Cascade Creek and our thunderstorm night was behind that ridge. Further we can see the Needle Mountains - our descent down Elk Creek to the train was on the other side of those.
18.5 miles over almost 10 hours.