CDT Day 93: Cirque of Towers & Rejoin CDT

Daily Miles: 19.3, Total Miles: 1,614.0

The night sky and stars were absolutely stunning. Cold last night – had to shake a crust of ice off my tent this morning.

I started uphill immediately, passing by beautiful North Lake and Cirque of Towers including aptly named War Bonnet Peak.

I topped over Jackass Pass down to Lonesome Lake and then another climb to Texas Pass at 11,400 ft. The scenery and vistas continue to be incredible.

The descent from Texas Pass was ridiculously steep – essentially you slide down – fortunate my ankles didn’t flop over. Passed by several more lakes before following Washakie Creek to where I rejoined the CDT.

Kind of appreciated a flatter trail for several miles, passing a few large lakes before finding a nice spot overlooking Dream Lake. The site came recommended by a neighboring couple who said they spent their honeymoon there in 1980.

Today may have been a record for me in terms of number of hikers and peak baggers seen, including several CDT SOBO’s.

I can’t recommend the Cirque of Towers alternative enough. I can only think of a few 21-mile sections of all my hikes that even come close.