7.3 miles, 2100' gain, 3400' descent

Ok, rain. This has been nice and all, but enough is enough. All our gear is damp. We're having conversations about how we're still ok for now, but if we don't get a chance to dry out soon we're going to be approaching trip-ending levels of wetness.

Uphill to Windy Gap, which was definitely windy and I have to assume also a gap although it was too misty to see for sure. Near the top I saw what I thought was the silhouette of a bear, a few hundred feet ahead on the trail. Stopping to watch, we realized it was too big and stationary for a bear, so must just be a rock. Then the rock got up and walked away.

For years I have been equally intrigued and intimidated by the idea of someday visiting the remote area called Elysian Fields, which is reached via the pass between Crescent and Sluiskin mountains. I was hoping to scope that out while passing by today, but with this weather we saw it not. We did however meet two separate rangers during this trip who both described the climb as hard but not as bad as it looks from below.

Anyways. We go down. And down. And down some more, into the depths of the Carbon rainforest where we walk sideways for a couple of final miles, rejoin the Wonderland after finishing the Northern Loop section, cross a suspension bridge, and crawl into our tents to cook dinner under the vestibule. Damp sleeping bag. Soggy socks.