HDT Day 31: Cottonwood Road to Tropic

Daily Miles: 19.5, Total Miles: 426.1

It was chilly last night, woke up and put on my down jacket. Had to shake ice off my tent this morning.

I opted to forego the Round Draw segment of the HDT, and instead, road walk to Tropic today. This sets me up for adding the Bryce Canyon alternative and then meeting up with the HDT further on. A bit less mileage in the short-term but gives me a chance to do the Paria Canyon alternative, an extra 50 miles or so.

Tropic is a busy place this time of year being so close to Bryce Canyon NP. First order of business was washing my mud-laden clothes. I later got in the shower with my filthy tent and backpack – an intimate moment. They will quickly get dirty again but makes me feel better for a bit.

A bonus today was picking up my new Brooks Cascadia shoes at the PO. My old shoes are shot, soles worn smooth and several holes getting bigger every day.

I hate to say it but the weather report doesn’t look good next week. Tropic and Kanab are both forecast for multiple days of rain.