CDT – Days 33 to 37 – From the Penthouse to the Outhouse

DATE:  September 4 to 8 

START:  Scenic spot, just south of Lester Pass

FINISH:  Roadside ditch, not far from Rawlins

DISTANCE:  203 miles (326.6 km)

DAILY AVERAGE:  40.6 miles (65.3 km)

TOTAL DISTANCE:  1245 miles (2003.2 km)

Cirque of the Towers: My second alternate through the Wind River Range. Almost as spectacular as the route over Knapsack Col. A fitting finale to what was, alongside Glacier NP, the most spectacular section of the CDT so far.

Atlantic City…….Wyoming: Former mining town. Population about 57. History? Boom, bust, boom, bust, boom, bust and finally tourist attraction. They have a wonderfully atmospheric bar/restaurant, which is a must-visit for any self respecting, brew-enjoying, non-vegetarian CDT hiker.

Five Favourite Trail Pubs/Bars/Inns:

– The Dying Cow, Wicklow Way, Ireland (2009)
– Drover’s Inn, West Highland Way, Scotland (2005)
– The Lion Inn, Coast to Coast Walk, England (2009)
– South Sea Hotel, Northwest Circuit, Stewart Island, New Zealand (1995, 2010)
– Mikro Papigo 1700/Tavern, Pindos Horseshoe, Greece (2001)

The Great Divide Basin: Shadeless, sandy, windy, hazy, dusty, jeep roads, fences, cow poo……… The Great Divide Basin…………what’s not to love? All jokes and accurate descriptions aside, I actually quite enjoyed this section. Stand out memory was wandering along one morning just as the sun was about to rise, when seemingly out of nowhere, a herd of antelope appeared making their light-footed, seemingly effortless way through the sagebrush.  A gorgeous silhouette, the memory of which will stay with me for a long time to come.