CDT Day 36: Hopewell Lake to Lagunitas Lake

Daily Miles: 25.5, Total Miles: 633.2

Only five miles to Hopewell Lake on a bright and sunny morning – stocked up on water and dried out my gear on a picnic table.

I stayed between 9,500 to 10,500 ft elevation all day hiking through green meadows and forests.

Saw several more elk today but it was the one I didn’t see that scared the crap out of me. I was climbing a hill and had just pivoted at a switchback when something large rose up from the ground just beyond my hiking pole. The creature stumbled and almost ran into me as I yelled and jumped back. I think the young elk was equally surprised.

I camped at Upper Lagunitas CG overlooking Lagunitas Lake. No hikers today but I did meet a Divide biker from Bisbee, Arizona.