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Day 2
Starting location: about 1 mile above South Platte Canyon
Ending location: Buffalo Creek
Distance: 18 miles
Elevation gained: 2000 ft
Photo: campsite by the river
1 word summary of the day: DRY
I got up early and on the trail just after 6:30am in anticipation of having to climb through the burn area today. Little did I know that there were actually 2 burn areas today!
So the scenery is not yet fabulous; lots of walking through forest burns, and it's still HOT! Luckily there's an unmanned fire station partway through today's hike where you can fill up water at an outside tap, because water was also scarce. I had originally planned on stopping after 15 miles today at Tramway Creek, but alas it was more of a trickle or mud pit so I had to continue on another 3 miles to Buffalo Creek (where I'm happily listening to the babbling of water from my tent). Hence the word of the day was dry!
Today was also quiet from a people perspective, after seeing all of the mountain bikers out riding on the weekend. I actually saw no one all day until I arrived at camp, and met Brandon, a young guy from just outside Durango CO who is also thru hiking the trail. Nice to have a conversation with someone over dinner!
Tomorrow should be a little shorter since I did the extra 3 miles today, but lots of uphill walking to get up into the Lost Creek Wilderness Area. So far the body seems to be holding up, but I'll probably pay for the two 18 mile back to back days tomorrow!
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