We got off to a late start. We spent considerable time talking with locals Ramone and Patrice Reed about environmental issues. Then we headed up to Cumberland Pass. Quartz Creek was on our right, loud, boisterous fast moving. We stopped at Quartz Creek Campground, too early (regretfully) to camp—because it was well-suited to our needs. It was uninhabited, had picnic tables, trees for highlining, grass for grazing, outhouses, and (best of all) there was a log fence all the way around the campground. We decided to continue on, and we camped five-or-so miles from Cumberland Pass. A wise decision since we’ll have time tomorrow to get up and over the summit.

Next: Dispatch #31: Places you WILL Go