Getting through the blowdowns and burned forest was exhausting. At last, we reached the end of the burnt and dead trees at 4:20 p.m. This wasn't the last of the devastation we would see from the East Troublesome Fire, but thankfully, it was the last we would hike through today.
A spring flowed a short distance from where the trees were green again. After checking the map, we saw we wouldn't have another opportunity to get water until reaching the other side of Parkview. I collected four liters.
I only had to haul it seven-tenths of a mile to our campsite in the saddle between Haystack and Parkview mountains. Still, that was a painful carry, which became worse when I slipped after leaving the spring. I fell hard and then had difficulty pulling myself up because of the extra weight of the water.
We found a good site for pitching our tents shortly before 5 p.m. Sunshine arrived about two hours later. No one was surprised he caught up to us.
I could have done without the first hour on the trail and the last couple of hours. The time between them was also tiring but much more enjoyable. The weather and scenery were gorgeous the whole time. That can make up for a lot of misery.