Day 32 - Brush Mountain Lodge - Medicine Bow National Forest

I had a leisurely morning catching up with parents and then enjoying pancakes made by the lodge host Kristen. She’s been here for 20 years supporting bikers passing through, which has helped make the Lodge a bit of an institution. 

By the time I’d rolled out well after 9am I’d all but made up my mind that I wouldn’t attempt to make the push to Rawlins in one day. I had been planning a rest day but instead would have two fairly short days. There was a fast downhill run from the Lodge and I was quickly spat out of Colorado and into State number five, Wyoming. The scenery also changed quickly with green rolling hills giving way to a scrubbier, harsher environment. Thankfully the greenery did return as I entered Medicine Bow National Forest but I knew this would be it until the other side of the Basin. 

Bumped into Marty, who I’d last seen in Salida and he was planning a similar day of camping in the forest before going onto Rawlins tomorrow. I pulled off the road into a clearing and set up camp before taking an afternoon nap. Not the most interesting of days but I’m sure I’ll be thankful for the extra recovery down the line. Booked a motel for Rawlins so I can have a proper reset ahead of the Basin.