Date: 2008-06-06
From: Cow Camp Gap Shelter

To: Montebello - Fish Hatchery Road
Miles today: 13.0

After the last two scorcher days, I was determined to get an early start. Awoke at 5:00 and had all my things packed by 5:30. Decided not to eat as I had an uphill start to the day. Left at 6:00. I was up on Cold Mountain by 7:00. It was a bald like the ones we hiked further south. On this one they even mow the grass. We had an incredible 360 degree panorama of the surrounding mountains. It was so hot I was in a full sweat by 6:30. The top of Cold Mountain was beautiful with waving tall grass and the sun a weak ball. As I reached the summit, a doe and the smallest fawn were grazing. The doe left and the baby tried to follow. When I looked its way, it would lie down trying to hide in the grass. I left quietly and very much enjoyed the hike across the top. Before too long I got to Hogs Camp Gap. As I walked across the meadow, I could see that tents were set up. People were standing around a campfire preparing breakfast. From a long way off I could smell bacon. Someone called out Ravon, and that was all it took. It was the beginning of the biggest trail magic scene yet. All weekend long there would be hikers eating and partying. I met Crutch, one of the organizers, and his friend Baltimore Jack. Soon I was sitting in a camp chair drinking cowboy coffee while a cast iron dutch oven hung on a tripod was cooking hash brown potatoes...red and green peppers, potatoes, onions, hamburger and sausage. Eggs were being scrambled. All this to make one of the best burritos I've had... complete with salsa. My breakfast had been a half of a chocolate bar. Crutch I found out lives in Redlands just outside Grand Junction. He comes and helps put on the feed of all feeds for thru-hikers. They have been known to rig up a movie projector and show movies out in the meadow. It was an honor to be included. I could have stayed, but the Dutch Haus was calling. So at 9:00 off I went into the steaming day. As I was walking in the woods, I really got my wake-up call...the unmistakable rattle that you don¢t want to hear. He was a large fellow, warning me, and he was three inches from my foot. I jumped back, gradually began breathing again, and took a couple of photos. The first was off center. I think I must have been shaking. Gave him a wide birth and as soon as I was past, he stopped rattling. For the rest of the hike, my eyes were glued to the trail, and I appreciated the politeness of that particular rattlesnake. Missed the fact that I was supposed to try my cell phone right at the junction of the trail and Fish Hatchery Road. I walked down the road about 25 feet and no cell phone coverage. I really am miffed at these phone companies. I wasn't even sure I was headed in the right direction. Up this very rough jeep road a new pickup appears. He took one look at me and said, "You look like you need a ride." Bob was a fireman. Turned his truck around and drove me three miles to the Dutch Haus. Thank you so much. He was right I needed a ride. Lois and Earl, the owners, are so welcoming. Their B & B is a hiker¢s home, and you¢re welcomed with pink lemonade on ice. Lois showed me my room with cute white wicker furniture and a homemade quilt on the bed. Gave me a robe and laundry basket. She washes your clothes and you hang them up on clothes lines out back. There are lots of bird feeders. I was able to see yellow American Goldfinches, woodpeckers, nut hatches, doves and squirrels up close. It takes a lot to keep up with all the coming and goings. Both fathers of Earl and Lois work steady doing maintenance and serving food. Dinner was...chicken, pasta, vegetables, salad from vegetables in their garden and cake for dessert. Two rules: 1) If you give up your fork, no dessert. 2) If you can't eat all of your food, pass it to the left until its gone. Fly right,Ravon