Monday, April 19, 2021
Miles: 29.2
Elevation gain/loss: 6460’/8383′
Start: campsite 3mi beyond Pioneer Mail picnic area
End: campsite 8mi beyond Scissors Crossing
I was up at 4am and on trail by 5. I was glad for my early start, since the barren and hot descent to Scissors Crossing took a very long time. On the way, I found out that my planned resupply at Montezuma valley market wouldn’t work – it had burned down the night before! So I quickly considered my options and decided to make a reservation with the Montezuma valley resort; I was able to confirm they had space before I made it to Scissors Crossing, so I knew I didn’t need to go into Julian.
Once I arrived at 1pm, I hung out under the highway bridge and cooked my dinner, since I would be carrying another 3 liters for the climb out. People very generously manage a large cache of water under the bridge. At 3:15, I hiked onward until 6:15pm, when I found a nice campsite with 5 spots with 3 people tenting nearby.
Transcending Mountains 