Day three began just like the previous two. We broke camp fairly early, knowing that we had quite the journey ahead of us. This was the big day. Twelve miles between water sources and six peaks according to our calculations. After two days, our energy was still respectable, and the first portion of the trail wound down from Overland Lake and through a burn area. Water was fairly abundant, and the underbrush was thick. We passed a surprising amount of wildflowers and even a waterfall.
Wildflowers on the Trail
Larger wildlife still eluded us, but hundreds of butterflies and bees gathered around the flowery slopes. Looking down into the valley below, smoke began to gather, but up above ten thousand feet the air remained clear and crisp. We passed the final water source around nine and then things began to heat up.
The trail wound around the back of the mountains, through valley after valley steadily increasing in elevation. The views were spectacular and despite a rather pesky blister, I was still feeling good. Just before noon, I finally crested the first peak, emerging onto the true crest of the Rubies. Looking ahead, I could just make out the trail snaking off into the distance.
Looking Back
We took a break at that first summit. Good thing we did. The switchbacks we'd traversed all morning disappeared in favor of sharp, straight inclines that seemed to never end. We passed one summit, then another, the views growing more spectacular with every step. Checking our mileage and the time, it soon became apparent that there was no way we would make it to Farve Lake, our planned stop for the night.
The True Crest
Clouds were also beginning to roll in, and I kept a watchful eye on the sky, hoping we wouldn't have to bail off to avoid an afternoon thunderstorm. By the time we made it to the fifth summit of the day, it was getting towards evening, and darkness was beginning to become a real concern. Despite this, I was taking pictures left and right, glad I had drug my heavy DSLR camera along with me.
Afternoon Clouds
We pushed on, making it down off the ridge and to our backup site just as the sun set behind the trees. A quiet stream through a meadow was our stop for the night, the first water we'd seen since early that morning. My counter read almost fifteen miles for the day, and though I was tired, the thrill of accomplishment sang through my veins. The next day on the trail would be our last, and though it would be nice to shower and chow down on some non-dehydrated food, I was already missing the silence.
Sunset from Camp