Day 97 - Sunday, September 5
We broke camp at 4:30 this morning getting back to where we left off with Loren yesterday in the town of Hinckley Utah, the last town before we set off on Highway 50 towards Carson City. Under a sliver of a moon and a star filled sky the vast expanse ahead was hidden from my eyes with my light on. It became clear that this was not a truck route nor a commuter one so I felt comfortable turning off my light and moving forward with the ambient light of the sky. And, it was incredibly beautiful because you can actually see into the desert and feel like you are at one with the vastness of it.
The morning was chilly in the high 40’s and progress was easy. Chris and I met after 16 miles and he recharged me with perhaps the best grilled cheddar cheese with local tomato and bacon sandwich of my life. With the heat coming back though I began to suffer towards the end of the day as temps got into the 90’s and the long road wore me down. I finished close to 5pm and had little time to go through my daily routine - put all the gear away, shower, wash clothes, hang to dry, eat and lay down by 6:35pm with 25 minutes to take care of blogging business before lights out.
I am amazed at the kindness of folks driving by on Highway 50. I’m sure it is a rare sight to see a person running along the road for motorists who know it is a looong road. And, at least half a dozen cars stopped to ask if I needed help and then after telling them no, they offered water. One couple, Bird & Michael - two veterans, offered me a ride, water, money and then they were kind enough to share some thoughts on film.
I am happy to report that I’ve had cell coverage the entire way so one thing I don’t need to worry about!
All for today, thank you for your ongoing support.
Cheers,
David.
Leaving Hinckley early morning
Looking back on Hinckley and a crescent moon as the lights of the town begin to fade
A long road ahead
Nomadland? In the middle of the desert…
There were stretches of wild sunflowers for miles on end
Local peaches and the best grilled cheese I’ve had
Bird & Mike driving off after our meeting
I worked all day getting closer to this range - and the closer I got the more it looked like someone took a bite out of the top
A sign of civilization as a few ATV’s were having fund about 30 miles out of Hinckley
It is 45 miles from Hinckley to that mountain range and I will go over it tomorrow
We finally arrived after 33 miles to Sevier Lake. It reminds of Badwater Basin in Death Valley as it looks like there is water but it is a mirage.
The first recorded observation of the lake was in 1872, which stated that the lake's surface area was 188 square miles, salinity was measured at 86 parts per thousand, two and a half times that of the ocean, and maximum depth was 15 feet. In January 1880 it was reported the lake was nearly dry, and had been so for the past one or two years. The Sevier River which once flowed to the lake is now largely diverted for irrigation. In 1987 however, the lake was again similar to the recorded description of 1872.
The Dominguez-Escalante expedition named it "Laguna de Miera" after Bernardo de Miera y Pacheco, a cartographer on their 1776 expedition. In 1825, trappers working for William Henry Ashley, trapped the region, and Jedediah Smith named it after him, the Ashley Lake. On some maps, it was named after Joseph Nicollet in the mid-19th century. The lake is currently named for the river, which is derived from "Río Severo" (wild river [Wild in modern Spanish is Salvaje, or Silvestre]), a local name given by early Spanish explorers.
Taco night!!! Carnitas, grilled peppers and all the fixins.
Tomorrow’s mountain pass includes The Hermit’s Cabin built In 1920 by Bob Stinson. Upon returning home from World War I, he learned that his sweetheart married another man. Heartbroken, he traveled west. While making his way through Marjum Pass just 45 miles from Delta UT, Bob’s vehicle broke down. He located a small natural cave in a side canyon. He walled in the front of the cave thus creating the Hermit’s Cave House or Hermit’s Cabin. The Hermit of Marjum Pass made a living keeping the pass clear of debris on Old Highway 6 & 50. He also trapped bobcats and coyotes, mixed poisons for the government to kill grasshoppers, and raised some sheep. Some of Stinson’s visitors were invited to sample his home brew. Stinson passed away in 1960, but his rustic home still stands.