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What a day; a favorite all around. Today brought us our highest pass and perhaps our biggest climb of the trip. I’d have to say the scenery today may have been my favorite of the trip so far.

The 4,000 ft climb up Indiana Pass took me about four hours. I saw the others often and rode with Josh much of the way up. As per tradition, it began storming on the way up. Thankfully, it slowed enough for us to take a chilly lunch break amongst the sparse pines at the top. Tre had been waiting for us, but due to some space-time warp, we missed each other. As we made our way to his location, there was a moment where we lost sight of each other. Tre thought we continued and took off down the pass to catch up. We wandered around wondering where in the world he had disappeared to.

About a mile after the top, I passed a hunting camp. Bow season started last Saturday. Cold and wet, I was ecstatic when one of the hunters, who was taking my picture as I rode by, asked if I wanted a cup of coffee. I accepted without hesitation and soon found myself lounging in their five-star tent beside the woodstove. It was warm and dry inside, and I had hot coffee in my hand – the endorphins were pumping. There was a lot of excitement about the morning’s kill in camp, and I was treated to the best cut of the elk, the inner tenderloin, which I excitedly carried off to show off to the others.

I was surprised to find them waiting soon after leaving, and I very much enjoyed leap-frogging with them much of the afternoon. As I instructed, a fire was ready in camp when I arrived. We cooked up the tenderloin and enjoyed the freshest meat we’ve ever had. So yummy.

PS – the knee was fine today!