It is 7:45 and I am in my tent waiting for the storm. I estimate that I made it 4 miles into the Burn Area. I've been dreading this section because it is 13 miles to the next water and a 1996 fire swept through here and removed all the shade. Today was remarkably good though.

After hiking the 8 miles and descending to the South Platt River I spent 2+ hours relaxing and even took a couple naps on the gravel beach on the river bank. Meanwhile the sky clouded up. By the time I decided to get moving it was a little cooler and breezy so I was able to do the worst part of this section without feeling like I was in a furnace. Don't misunderstand though it was still sweaty work.

Hmm, the thunder has stopped. Maybe the storm won't materialize.

Oh there was a particularly cool trail moment a couple hours out of camp. In one spot I could look back at Turkshead Mtn and see the Denver suburbs through the valley beyond and 100 feet further down the trail I could see the snowy mountains of the Continental Divide - a cool where I've been to where I'm going experience.

I met an English couple coming the other direction. They've hiked the last 5 sections of Colorado Trail. It was nice to chat with them. They have been the only other hikers so far. As for mountain bikers, I've seen about six.