Waking up on day 19 was rough. Moral was low, energy low, and willpower to get out of my sleeping bag at an all-time low. The little saddle I hiked over by Hancock Lake was low in elevation (kind of low at 11,701) and yet it seemed like one of the tougher days of the trail. I needed an emotional boost.

I hobbled down the trail at a slower pace than my other days and I was able to sneak up on a deer.

I needed a town run again, even this lake didn’t boost moral.

Salida, here I come!