MRT 2021 Day 20, April 24, Saturday
• Start S6 mile 58.8, on Bear Wallow Trail
• End S6 mile 76.8
• Miles walked: 18.0
The day starts with a brutal cross-country climb, dodging blow-downs and cat’s-claw.
The trail guide says we are now on the Rim, but it feels different. The rock crown at the top is missing, and the top is not so flat to the north, more like a ridge.
I come across 5 men sitting with their backs against trees, all in camo gear, some with faces hidden by masks, all facing different directions, with guns on the ground in easy reach, completely motionless, not turning their heads to watch me. These are turkey hunters. I apologized for making noise, asked to take a photo for my journal, but they politely decline.
The route goes down off the Rim along a narrow trail from 8.5k to 6.7k elevation, and I am finally warm again after days of cold temps.
The route now goes along the Highline Trail, different from the Highline of several days past. This is a primitive trail, not often maintained, frequently faint, often steep climbs and descents, just arrrrghhhhh.
From the Highline we get views of the Rim above that does not exactly look like my Rim that I am used to.
Views to south definitely look like south of the Rim, descending into hot and arid lands.
The route crosses a road at a super nice trailhead and approach trail to Raspberry Creek, supposed to be tough going ahead. I cowboy camp after a long day.