Day 91: Hail On The Mountain
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From Shelter Cove mile 1904.1 to Charlton Lake mile 1922.6
Last evening we took our pizzas to the Forest Service campground just up the road from the “resort”. A site cost $16 and since we told other hikers about it we ended up with at least a dozen tents set up in our site.
This morning Digs was not feeling well. We delayed leaving and went back to the store for real coffee. Finally around 9 we started to walk. Totes and Bones went at their normal pace but I hung back with Digs who was struggling. We only planned an 18 mile day.
From Shelter Cove the trail gently went up 1200 feet over 6 miles, passing a string of ponds. At one point there was a view of a string of 3 ponds and Odell Lake. I had cell service there and called Gayle.
After that the trail dropped a bit and then there was a 1000 feet climb in the afternoon. As we were climbing that we started to hear thunder. We were racing a storm, wanting to get up over this ridge before lightening made it unsafe. Luckily, Digs was feeling better by this point.
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We hit the top and started down just as the hail began. At times it was large enough to hurt. We passed a small pond and were amazed at the size of the splashes the hail was making. Stopping there and camping was an option but we pressed on.
Another 3 miles and we had dropped down to Charlton Lake just as the rain stopped. Our friends were there along with some other hikers. We chatted for a bit and then had to race to set up tents as another storm rolled in.
The second storm has passed, I have cooked, eaten and put gear away. Almost dark, time to sleep.
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