Wyoming:
The Wild West

Embrace the Wanderlust, Embrace the Brutality

A state border crossing that I had felt like was never going to come - the end of Colorado and the beginning of Wyoming. I had a special moment in the last mile of Colorado, and Wyoming welcomed me in a very encouraging way.

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Surviving through Colorado built our trail legs to be strong and mighty, so after Colorado, we were grateful to have some flatter terrain to (feel like) we were sailing through the land on our feet. At the beginning of Wyoming, we were consistently doing 20+ miles each day (and easily), and it felt GOOD. 

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Wyoming brought on quite the adventure while on the trail, as we entered back into the desert environment quickly after crossing the CO/WY state border - this time, with a bite more experience in this type of environment. Though more experience, the desert environment was still just as intimidating. 

For the basin, we read that the water sources were scarce, and to expect being surrounded by cattle once again. The mixture of the two would make our water sources even more questionable throughout the 170 miles of the basin. It was hot in the basin in August. The air was dry, the winds put dust on your face that stuck to your sweat, and the heat was almost unbearable. We were back to taking afternoon siestas to avoid the burning sun under whatever shade we could find.

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After we completed the basin, I felt more confident as a hiker than ever before, and the next anticipated mountain range was on the horizon. This time, the Wind River Range would be our earned treasure, and it was a mountain range I had never heard of before the hike. The build up was high, but The Winds unexpectedly humbled me. With the anticipation of this wilderness area, I couldn't help but be disappointed when we had non-ideal weather in our 8 day stretch. I was grateful for when we did receive good weather from the skies, but when we got bad weather, it was bad. No matter the challenge, no matter the disappointment, I had to carry on.

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We finished Wyoming in less than a month. Compared to being in Colorado for 1.5 months, it felt like such a short time, and I wish we had more time in this state. But finishing a state meant one step closer to the finish line. I couldn't help but love the Wyoming small town feel, the cowboy/cowgirl environment, the welcoming locals in the hole-in-the-wall bars, and I quickly fell in love with the beauty this state has, both the desert and the mountains. 

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Wyoming Highlights:

- We were welcomed into WY by some of the friendliest locals we've met (so far) for a cheeseburger meal and awesome hitches both in/out of town 

- On 8/10/2022 I completed my biggest day on the trail: 35 miles through the basin

- I saw my first herd of wild horses in the basin! 25-30 beautiful horses roaming the desert land was a very cool experience. 

- The Wind River Range was beautiful but more challenging than we imagined. We had 6 days of rain out of 8.

- Lester Pass (in the Wind River Range): highest point on the CDT within the state of WY!

- Yellowstone National Park was a surprising trail favorite for both Ross and I. We got to see Old Faithful timely eruption for the first time, surrounded by the most people we've been near on trail (maybe the whole time?!) up till this point. We also saw a bison laying down next to the road while leaving the park. 

- I've lost a ton of weight. Colorado sucked everything out of me, and I am feeling now (finally) what "hiker hunger" is in the state of Wyoming. Food is starting to taste good again. I can't believe it took me to the state of Wyoming to develop this consistent of an appetite, but now the hunger is here, I am thinking/dreaming of food while on trail a lot more often than ever

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