Page 9: Out to Lake Ann

Cutthroat Pass Only five more miles to go!

As we were trudging along the rocky path I looked down and happen to see something sparkle. I bent down and picked up this beautiful little quartz crystal – truly a treasure from the mountain.

We continued down to Cutthroat Pass, and eventually down to Porcupine Creek, and out to the highway. I spotted M’s truck in the parking lot and knew that our pickup party was already up at Lake Ann, our rendezvous point for the night.

Lake Ann.

I waited by the truck for Mel. After about 45-minutes I started to worry because she was obviously a lot further back than I thought she would be. And I started to feel guilty. I had really blitzed that last stretch, doing about 4 mph. I guess I just assumed Mel would be rolling along, too. I was just about to start back up the trail to look for her when she and Saru popped out of the woods. She, of course, had no idea how long I'd been there and since she didn't ask, I didn't tell her.

We made it up to Lake Ann just before dusk. Later that night another party of people I knew from Seattle hiked in and set up camp. Just like being back in town!

Mulling things over in my mind, I came to the conclusion that I really like meeting people at camp, but not having to put up with them during the actual hours of hiking. Food for thought for future hikes.

– End adventure.