Friday June 20, 23.7mi/38.1km

Jacob’s Well Station (990.6/5960ft) to Mitchell Creek saddle (1014.3/8570ft) (NV)

I had a nice easy morning of hiking across the valley on the Pony Express route.

Apparently this route is also part of the California Trail, used by emigrants in the 1800s. This sign described the Hastings cut-off, which I believe was a shortcut to California.

As I approached Overland pass, I noticed someone had cut down an entire forest of juniper trees.

It was very sad to see but also very curious, since it looked like it was very haphazardly and hurriedly done. Maybe there was a wildfire and this was just a fire break? And this mysterious roadside device got my attention as well. It must have something to do with water but I have no idea what that could be.

At the end of the roadwalk, it was about lunch time so I stopped to enjoy my few remaining snacks. I don’t usually get too excited over peanut butter and crackers, but these ones are actually pretty good.

For most of the afternoon, I climbed slowly up into the Ruby mountains on a series of old roads.

It was easy and enjoyable hiking through some surprisingly scenic meadows.

As I gained elevation I noticed it was starting to become more windy.

And of course, once I was high enough, the trees disappeared and I was exposed to the full force of the wind. I could see ahead to Mt Sherman, one of the first Ruby mountains I would pass by.

Eventually the old roads faded out, and I followed a very nice sheep trail along the ridgeline.

I was very intrigued by the view to the East, I was seeing all this water. I believe these are the Ruby lakes.

A mile later I came to the creators of the nice trail I was using. Sheep!

They didn’t seem too concerned with my presence, and this one even continued to feed.

I continued on the very nice sheep trails as I meandered around the ridgelines, on my way to dry Burro Lake.

More views of the Ruby lakes, way down below.

Around the corner I came across more sheep and an entire hidden alpine valley.

This little patch of dirt is Burro Lake. Yup, it’s definitely dry.

I had a nice long break on a patch of grass next to the lake, sitting near these red and yellow wildflowers growing next to each other.

I had one more small uphill section for the day, as I climbed up a small gully.

It was pretty easy travel with all the sheep trails everywhere, and it wasn’t even too steep. At the top of the pass it was quite windy, and the trees seem to have grown in a way that reflects this.

My short little XC hiking section for the day was quite simple, walking through little tufts of grass and bushes that were ankle high.

I crossed Headwater Creek, and filled up my bottles since this would be the last water source for about 14 miles. The water was very cold!

I hadn’t seen Mormon crickets all day, but there were definitely plenty of piles of dead ones in the creek.

I continued on a flat spot identified on the map as a campsite. It was definitely flat, but it was also very windy.

I continued on another half mile to a thicker forest, hoping it would block some of the wind. And it did help with the wind, but it was so strong that I still couldn’t setup my tent. Definitely one of the windiest days I’ve ever hiked in. After struggling to cook dinner in the wind, I finished my meal and crawled into my bivy sack to sleep.