Michelle picked us up bright and early this morning. She works in Helena and has been shuttling me to the trailheads these past three days. What a wonderful lady who has a heart of gold. When Fearless and I were hitching to Roger’s Pass, she said she never picks up hitchhikers. But some little voice inside her head told her to stop. Thank you Lord. I have no doubt that was you.

We were dropped off at Stemple Pass and headed out towards the Alpaca Ranch. My hiking friends Coyote and Radio recommended getting off the Red-Line and taking Marsh Creek Alternate. Here we go again! It is a dirt road that led up towards Granite Butte. There were tons of side trails so using my trusty CalTopo was vital.

When we made it to the first fork in the road, there was a stream of bicyclists that were touring with Adventure Cycling. Even equipped with maps, the riders seemed to be going different ways. Some turned left, some climbed to Granite Butte and some asked us for directions. We were headed to the Alpaca Ranch and honestly had no idea where they were supposed to go. It was a cluster of riders and each read their map differently. Hope they all made it back in time for dinner!

We continued down Marsh Creek Road and had a nice little saunter in our step. Not much climbing, little downhill and easy trekking for the most part. Marsh Creek was lush with green grasses and the sound of water surrounded us.

We saw many bikers today, enduro riders and one couple who were driving dirt roads all the way to Mexico. Montana has many backroads and plenty of ways to get lost in the woods, which honestly, can be a good thing.

As Fearless and I got closer, we put away our umbrellas. Just as we were ready to head into the ranch, a motorcyclist lost control and straightened out the curve, so to speak. He layed his bike down and started moaning. This isn’t good. We both ran up to help him and it appeared when his motorcycle crashed, he twisted his knee underneath the weight of the bike, ouch! He managed to get up, thank goodness and we helped him upright his bike. Boy, that Husqvarna was heavy with the loaded saddle bags. Once we got it up, he sat back down and took inventory of his injuries. I had just been talking to Fearless about how much protective gear these guys use and how hot it must be. Thank God he was fully encapsulated from head to toe!

So our hike to the Alpaca Ranch was filled with much happenings today. My Goodness, this hiking is more involved than just heading down the trail. I prayed over our injured motorcyclist and we headed to the ranch. The Alpaca Farm is run by Barbara and her hubby John, but he says it’s all Barbara. She does this all for free. No donations accepted. All she asks is you pay it forward. When one of the leads from Adventure Cycling tried to pay John, he said “take the money that is your hand right now and pay for someone’s gas or groceries or whatever seems appropriate in the next 24 hours, and it will work out exactly as it should.” What a jester of love.

Fearless found us a vacant shed with two sets of bunk beds. Before long, we found the magic refrigerator filled with icy cold water, sodas, beer, sandwiches and hard boiled duck eggs. This place is such a unique farm in a stunning location, tucked away inside this obscure valley surrounded by tree covered hills, overlooking the grassy meadow below.

We met the many bike packers who invited us over for dinner. Pasta with olives, tomatoes and creamy sauce. Then we topped it off with Pecan Pralines. Could definitely get used to this.

I know, this does not seem like the tough, hard miles of the Bob and it wasn’t. Today was an active rest day with the creature comforts of home. Life on the trail is a mixed bag of hard work, blood, sweat and tears, but sprinkled with laughter, joy and love from complete and total strangers. People have told me that they come out here to renew their faith in humanity. If you ever begin to wonder if people are genuinely kind and interested in your wellbeing, look no further than a day on trail. This is where it surely begins.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Oh slackpacking. How I love this concept. Just me, a few snacks, water and minimal gear. When I arrived in Lincoln two days ago, I really didn’t have a solid plan. But with no water on trail, it became abundantly obvious that I would need to come up with a viable plan. What a difference a couple of days make. To think I was trouncing through streams, rivers and creeks daily and now, even the springs are tapped dry. So you regroup and adapt.

Big news for my hiking future. I found a partner. I met Fearless in Many Glaciers on my T-Minus One Day, the day before my permit started. She had just finished hiking from Chief Mountain to Many Glaciers and had much intel to share. Best information on trail comes from thru-hikers. She has been 2-3 days ahead of me but in Lincoln, I finally caught up with her.

After sharing all tales from the trail, we agreed to slackpack together. We caught a ride from a local named Michelle and off we went. Our first day on the trail was incredibly challenging with tons of elevation and descent. But the beauty of hiking on ridge lines is my delight. It was stupendous. We had great conversation and by the end of our day, it was clear, we could hike from Montana to New Mexico together. She is a kindred spirit, has purpose and focus, great sense of humor and intends to finish this trail! That’s what I need. A committed partner who won’t let the pain and suffering get in the way of finishing what we started!

The trail is glorious, even without water. It is so beautiful with hundreds of wildflowers, succulents and plants. My hardest issue is getting the miles done, in between all the photos, googling and gargling along the route.

Two days of slackpacking is an integral part of recovery. I still covered my miles, and my speed on the trail is virtually the same, with or without a pack. About two miles per hour including all my breaks. But what I notice is my shoulders, back and feet don’t ache like they do when I’m carrying a backpack. It makes me really take pause as to why am I carrying a backpack at all! If only I had a Sherpa or George to carry all my gear. This could be such a different experience. Any takers? All resumes will be excepted!

But then reality hits me like a two by four. The only way to make this happen, I need to put on my big ol backpack and meander down the trail. Honestly, I wouldn’t do it any other way. Well, maybe I would, but that’s not my reality.

Both days of slack packing, I only saw two people. One each day. The trail is thinning out, which I knew would happen south of Glacier but not quite so soon. God is up to something and He will let me know when I’m ready. Until then, I’ll keep placing one foot in front of the other and thanking Him for all that he has prepared before me. Happy trails.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What was the noise I heard all night? At first I was dreaming there was a train whistling but there’s no trains in the woods. The longer I listened, the more I believed it was a grouse calling to his grouse mate. They have been everywhere, near the trail, on the trail and have been scaring the dickens out of me. I’ll be minding my own business walking down the path, and then they jump up out of nowhere and take flight. They are like small turkeys! The grouse in my neck of the woods are much tamer and quite a bit smaller.

The sunrise was remarkable. I had pitched my tent on the top of Lewis and Clark Pass which has views in surround sound. Every direction you can see for miles. From my vestibule I got a glimpse of the marvelous world that God had painted for me this morning. Thank you Lord. Now I can get on with my day.

Packed up and hit the trail in search of the life-sustaining water. For the past weeks, all I’ve talked about was water crossings, with wet feet and socks. But here on the ridge line, there’s not a drop of water. I was down to my last half liter and FarOut stated that there was a spring in 2.6 miles. Now I’m afraid to drink what I have as this is the only reliable source till I reach town.

So no coffee this morning, no miso soup. Just dry crackers and a meat stick. Yum! Of course there was a climb up the ridge since I was in the saddle between two ridges. But the wind was blowing and the air was cool. Off I went in search of an spring.

Up and over the ridge to a survey marker. That was the first I’ve seen on this trail. Then down the trail until I ran into the culprit that kept me up half the night. Mr. Grouse was making his noises and hiding in the bush next to the trail. Another half mile and the field of dried grasses and flowers perked up and were in blooming color. That’s my spring!

It was a tiny little pool of water bubbling up. It sure was so cold and refreshing. Yep, that’s a spring. I filled both my bottles, sat down and had a proper breakfast. More Meat Sticks, Cold Brew Coffee and a Biscotti. Now that’s good living!

My next planned stop was the Yurt. For years, there has been a Yurt that CDT Hikers post about, blog about and make videos of. I need to see this place. Down the hill, back up the ridge, down the backside of the ridge line and there she was. Up on top of the hill. What a beauty she is. The door was unlocked and in I went.

The first log book I’ve seen on trail. My friends that I started the trail with, Coyote, Radio and Curly had all stopped by four days prior. I’m either really slow or they are super sonic speed-goats! The girls along with Kanga, George and Foggy all signed in yesterday. It’s nice to know that I’m only a day away from seeing them again. Me and Norman signed the notebook and off we went.

All that was left to do was climb up and over two more ridges and down to Roger’s Pass in search of a ride to Lincoln. The wildflowers were abundant and so fragrant as I bee-bopped down the trail. I could hear cars passing by and felt I was going to have an easy time getting a ride.

Sure enough, when I was on the road, I zeroed in on the cutest brindle dog named Sage and her two-legged owners. They are transplants from California who moved to Montana in the mid 80’s and never looked back. After talking dog with them, they graciously conceded to give me a ride to Lincoln. It’s a good 20-30 miles down the road. Thank you kind people and Sage the dog.

I arrived at my humble stay, the Lincoln Log Motel. My husband George reserved it for me. Thanks babe. Only the best room with the most comfortable bed will do. The Owners Val and Roy, had it all picked out and proceeded to tell me how much my husband loves and misses me. Sounds like George is making friends in Montana too!

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Lessons learned today. Do your own research and check the topography on your map! The alternate I took yesterday and today was great until it wasn’t. More of that to come.

Cowboy Camping is the greatest plan for a quick exit. Especially when it comes equipped with a picnic table. Woke up at 5am and hit the trail by 6am. The girls left last night to get in a few extra miles so they could arrive in Lincoln today. I slept at camp knowing I had no intentions of seeing the lights of Lincoln till Monday.

My morning sunrise was red. I think there is some sailors song about red sunrises or maybe it’s sunsets. The sky was a bit cloudy and it cooled things off briefly. My morning stroll was spectacular. Wildflowers everywhere. Falls Creek had cascading waterfalls at almost every corner and yes, there were many crossings today. So many I lost track but it was well over twenty!

The fork in the trail was my exit. Go and follow East Falls Creek said the girl on FarOut App. All was well, until it wasn’t. The first clue was the trail was not truly a trail. It was more like a game trail which was obvious at times, while other times, I nearly tripped because I was so focused on checking my map. Very few people have traveled this route, and there were many trees down. But today was the first time I had to climb trees while walking on water! There were log jams, yes my friends, in the river. And truly there wasn’t a way around except to climb the logs, up and over while your feet and legs are in the river. As much fun as it sounds like, it really wasn’t my billy- wag!

To make matters worse, there was close to a 3000’ ascent on what was clearly, a goat trail! There was no defined route to speak of, just a dry rock creek which I’m sure is used by four-footed animals and not made for human consumption! I was way out of my comfort zone. This went on for the next three hours. And to make matters worse, there was a dead carcass of some large animal that has never been seen by anyone but me. Not a soul was around, just me and Norman trying to get back to the CDT.

When I finally crested Little Red Mountain, I literally kissed the ground and promised to never venture off the Red-line again. It was more than I am capable of and only by the grace of God, I landed on solid ground unscathed. Well besides my reddened face!

The pass was windy and I found a group of pine trees that protected me from the wind. I made my dinner and contemplated staying there for the night. Except for the fact that I found a tick on me! I’m not sure if I carried him all the way from the Goat Trail or he fell from the pine trees, but that was enough to make me vacate my temporary housing. I packed up and hiked another couple miles to Lewis and Clark Pass and called it a night. Oh boy, I’m pooped. But tomorrow I’m headed to town and all will be good in my little world. This trail life is tough business. But my God is bigger than any trail!

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
‭Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭4‬, ‭9‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Welcome Pass was probably my favorite campsites in the Bob. There is a monolithic rock that was outside my tent door. As the sun came up, it was showcased in pink and red. And just because God is the creator of heaven and earth, He added in the color from the wildflowers in the meadow and the babbling creek behind me. It truly was magical.

After talking with many hikers, I decided to take, yes, another alternate. Montanas weather has been getting increasingly hotter everyday and the red-line is totally exposed. The Deerborn Creek Trail, even being longer in distance, is much less exposed. So that is my route today.

I spent the first half of the day on the CDT. It was climbing and had a spectacular view of the river below. I was in and out of forests, mostly out with only a few trees to hop over. The waters were all glaciated and crystal clear. Not the typical murky glacier like, but so clear that you couldn’t tell how deep they were. I had many a creek to walk through this morning and I have finally managed to accept the fact, that my shoes, socks and feet will be wet all day long. I’m lucky that I don’t get blisters because this is the perfect storm for messed up feet. But my feet are just one huge callous that seems to protect and insulate me from any annoyance of blistering. Lucky me!

Caught up with the girls at my five mile breakfast break. There’s Double Tap (DP) because she likes to tap all the trail signs, not once-but twice. Tumbleweed is named for the sheer fact that she falls daily. In the desert she somersaulted like a Tumbleweed and the name stuck. And Ferrari, who was almost run over by a Ferrari as she was crossing the road at Neels Gap on the AT. She is attempting her Triple Crown and the other two gals are keeping her company. They all met on the PCT a couple of years ago.

And so my day went on, from one break to the next. Soaking my feet as often as possible, jumping in the pools of water to try to cool myself down, and wetting my shirt every chance I got. It was very very HOT!

For some reason, all I could think about was an icy cold soda or any kind of fizzy drink. Lord, can I be blessed with a sparkling water? I’ve seen no Trail Magic on the CDT, which is fine. There’s just not that many of us. As my day was coming to an end, Dave stopped to check on me. He owns a cabin in the Welcome Creek area and was headed back to his primary house in Helena. I’m sure I looked like a pitiful sight, tired from my long day. He asked if I needed anything? Well if you’re asking, I’d love something cold to drink! He promptly pulls out a LaCroix , one of my favorite things. I immediately thanked Dave and the Lord for listening to my heart. Oh my goodness, that was the best fizzy water I’ve ever had!

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭

Oh, what a run of it I had with Blue. When we arrived at Augusta, there was so much to do. Blue needed a ride back to East Glacier to pick up her car. I had many chores to do, posting blogs, laundry, resupply stuff and refueling. We had a great invitation from Pam and Jim so we drove to their cattle ranch for dinner. Their property is heaven on earth. Jim’s family has been cattle farmers for nearly hundred years. He has taken over the family ranch,and now with the help of his son and nephew. It is something special and we were able to get a tour of this incredible piece of property in Montana.

Blue retrieved her car and gave me a ride back to Benchmark. It’s a long hours drive on a gravel road. As she was getting me to the trailhead, True Woods, this years second Nobo hiker was walking down the road. Blue picked him up and promptly dropped me off. Easy come-easy go.

I was so sad to say goodbye but maybe if I play my cards right, I’ll get her to return for another little jaunt. I promise no Lincoln logs, mud or river crossings!

Once back on, I headed for the Straight Creek Trail. It’s the clearest trail from what all the hikers are saying as the Red-Line is littered with more trees than you can shake a stick out. One of the Sobo that we met got a ride to the trailhead yesterday, went 2-3 miles, turned around and hitched back to town. He was so disgusted with the trail that he decided to road walk from Augusta to Lincoln, just so he didn’t have to climb up and over any more downed trees! I feel his pain. It’s not hiking, it’s down right dangerous and stressful.

Lucky for me I had my trusty CalTopo and immediately took the alternate. It was lovely. Yes, there are some downed trees but only a few, maybe 10-20 which is doable.

I ran into a few hikers today so I wasn’t all alone. There was a group of three that were doing a loop. Then I met Foggy, Kanga and George. No, not my George. They were much younger, faster and had an agenda. Be in Lincoln by the day after tomorrow. I’m taking three days but they never stopped in Augusta so understandable, they are ready for showers, laundry and some good eats! We all had dinner together, shared some alternates that are coming up and then they hiked another 2-3 miles.

Today was the most amount that I’ve hiked yet. Almost twenty miles. Maybe tomorrow I’ll get up early and shoot for that. The three girls showed up as the others were leaving. They are camping with me which is really nice. I met them in Augusta at the Hotel. The girls all met while hiking the PCT a couple of years ago.

So after all, I’m really not alone. It seems that there are a few people hiking around me so all I need to do is hook onto someone who likes to hike my speed, smell the flowers and take alternates. Any takers?

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭

The more miles you hike today, are less miles you need to walk tomorrow. I believe there is more to that than just what’s underfoot. Many times in life we have to endure, so we can grow. Others can float through life and it all seems like a blur, a frenzy of meaningless activity. Then, before you know it, life here on earth is over. I prefer to work for my enjoyment. Yes, it’s hard, it’s painful, but in the end, oh the rewards! And the sheer joy.

Today, Blue and I are finishing the Big Bad Bob! We have paid our dues with blood, sweat and tears, but have been rewarded with memories of a lifetime. There is nothing more satisfying than selecting a goal, preparing for it and seeing it through to fruition. Blue and I have done that.

The sky was deep blue, the air was crisp and the ground was wet with dew. Now all we need to do is find water. We dry camped last night so in search we went. Less than a mile down trail was a small stream and we filled up.

The rest of our day was focused on deciding what final leg of the trail are we going to take. Either the High Route or crossing the low water Sun River Route. The closer we came to the river, and after our terrifying river crossing yesterday, it was apparently clear that we would take the High Route. It added a couple of miles but it was, indeed, the much safer route to follow.

My left foot started giving me issues and I sat down. When I took my sock off, I found the culprit. A huge hole in my sock near my heel. Natalya just so happened to come across a single toe sock on the trail that was for a left foot. Perfect, I’ll use that. Poor guy who lost his sock will be bummed. Hikers like me only carry two, maybe three pairs total.

We had lunch, admired the many packers that were coming in on Mule Trains for weekly excursions. Oh, what I would do for a horse right now. We finished lunch by the river and headed to Benchmark, another four miles to go.

Once we arrived, there was another Mule Train headed out with 15 plus packers, clients and gear. The parking lot was full of empty cars. All we needed was just one car heading to Augusta to give us a ride back to civilization. Natalya noticed a gal in the camping area packing up her car. She went over and asked if there was any chance she was headed out and if we could hitch a ride with her? Before I knew it, Pam and Jim and all their friends invited us to their campsite, unloaded every form of homemade cookies under the sun and presented us with icy cold beer. What else could a hiker want but Cold Beer and Cookies?

We talked with the gang as Pam reconfigured her car, accommodating two stinky hikers with a ride to Augusta. We talked with the friends of Pam and Jim who arrived this week to celebrate the life of a dear friend. There were close to 35 people who drove to Benchmark and spread Judy’s ashes. Such a great tribute to a woman who evidently loved the outdoors and this wondrous place.

After sometime passed, we drove to Augusta with Pam down a dusty thirty mile gravel road. Benchmark is such a remote place, it amazes me that so many people find it. But if you take time to get off the beaten track, oh the beauty you can turn up. Pam drove us to the country store so I could pick up my resupply box and then to our hotel. What a dear lady and Godly Woman she is.

Once at the hotel, it’s all about showering, laundry and shoving in as many calories as humanly possible. I did all three. Homemade Chicken Alfredo, Garlic Bread and Caesar Salad with Margaritas. Why not?

So the saga of the missing sock. The sock that Blue found on the trail was outside our door. When we arrived, I took off my nasty shoes and unmatched socks and left them to stink outside. Spokes, whom we met on trail a couple of days ago, knocked at my door. Any chance that might be my sock? You’ve got to be kidding me! Spokes had lost his sock the day before yesterday. Today, Blue finds it, I wear it and Spokes happens to have a room two doors down from us. Now if that’s not God, I don’t know what or whom else could’ve ordained a perfect connection.

As I’m headed over to do laundry, Natalya has a conversation with Spokes about Karma verses Divine Intervention. When it was all said and done, God smiled. Time after time on the trail this week, we had these beautiful and precious moments that were orchestrated by our Heavenly Father. Praying over hikers that we met on trail, sharing our love of Jesus with others, and complete strangers who became friends like Pam. Our family has greatly increased and we will be blessed when we all meet in heaven. Thank you Lord for putting me right where you wanted me to be. Preordained, predestined and honored to be here.

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”” Isaiah‬ ‭30‬:‭21‬ ‭

I woke up to rain coming down on my tent. Did someone turn on the sprinklers? Nope, it was a quick moving cell that showed up for my morning session of getting ready to hit the trail. I have had the best of weather since Blue arrived, and darn it she had not worn her rain poncho or used her umbrella! So it was perfectly timed to make sure everything was brought for a purpose. Nothing worse than carrying something on your back for miles and never using it!

So with all our rain gear on, umbrellas up and deployed, we marched down the trail. A little mud, a little muck was nothing new to this dynamic duo. Blue and I trekked the Appalachian Trail together and the CDT has nothing on rainy cells. There is nothing worse than Vermont to Maine. If you want to know what rain is all about, that’s where they study it! Montana rain is child’s play. Well except for that brief encounter in Glacier.

We walked to what on my map appeared to be some outbuildings or possible forest service cabins. As we headed over the ridge, down into the valley, across the meadow, through the sage bushes, sure enough we found our refuge from the rain. It was a full on dude ranch with mules, tack and a forest service cabins.

Out walked the ranger and her brother. She is an archeologist for USFS and hiked in for the week checking on artifacts and historical buildings. Quite an interesting career. They let us move into the porch, make some hot tea and enjoy the weather from a perfect perch.

The sun came out and we headed over the ridge again, across the stock bridge and up the knoll. It ended up being a glorious day. No fallen trees, no dead forests, just long open meadows, fields and wildflowers. We saw a few people out for the day, a group of horseback riders and several section hikers.

As we were looking at our CalTopo map, thanks to my dear friend Atsuko, we found a shortcut. Now I have been known to find shortcuts that have ended up to be “not so good”. My biggest concern was the blowdowns and if this trail would be clear like the Sun River Trail. We took a leap of faith and veered off the trail and took another unknown route. All was good until it wasn’t.

The North Fork of Moose Creek was our obstacle. Being we had a good amount of rain last night and this morning, and the fact it was late afternoon, the river was roaring. Well now what? We’ve made it this far, I guess the only option is to go across. The first half of the 50’ wide river wasn’t bad, but the last 20-30’ was intense. I would’ve never done this alone but there is safety in knowing someone else is going down with you. Natalya headed across and the river reached the bottom of her pack. I waded across, poles vibrating, shorts wet but all was good. We lived to hike another day. Nothing but fun on the CDT.

We followed the Moose-Firman Trail for about five miles before we stopped for dinner, then camp. This should be our last night on the trail together, me and Blue. We celebrated with Mexican bean soup and pasta. It was a perfect end to quite a memorable experience with Blue. Tomorrow we will match out of the Bob Wilderness in search of Burgers, Fries and Beer!

As I look back on these past days with Blue, I have to reflect on the amount of suffering, pain and sheer agony that we both experienced. Yet, without the hard work, we would’ve never truly appreciated the glory and grandeur that was ahead. God refines us, sharpens us and builds us up so we can learn to see who He is.

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬, ‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday we saw six hikers and five people on horseback. It was our most social day on trail. There a few and far between people out here. I really didn’t expect this to be so desolate.

Once on the trail, we were able to keep our feet dry for maybe five minutes. We crossed many rivers today, but the last two were shake your hiking poles kind of crossing. We had the last, at least I hope so, of our Ninja Warrior Training Course. Three miles of straight up log jams. Our time for each mile was 51:00 minutes. That’s almost a mile per hour. We have been typically hiking two miles per hour including breaks. So this was painstakingly slow.

By noon, we finally hit the junction of N. Fork of Sun River. This is our new and improved route to Benchmark. The Bob Wilderness has not been the nicest to me, or Natalya. I think if you want to cure someone of backpacking, this is the place to do it! This trail has not seen any maintenance for years. Ends up “The Friends of Bob” is a coalition of eight people. And I’m sure they are all volunteers. And it’s hard to access. I will not be doing a repeat of this place. Not for a Million Dollars, not for anything I can wrap my head around. Good riddance Bob.

Thank God there are other ways to get to Mexico. Ends up the Sun River is the prime choice for the majority of CDT Hikers. It’s maintained much more so than the CDT and it has stellar views of the surrounding mountains. Something we haven’t seen much of. Both HoboBlue and I were stoked to see the China Wall from above. This is the one caveat to not taking the Red-Line. The China Wall stretches for miles and hugs the east side of the CDT. Well folks, we had a view of it from the east side and it’s just as beautiful!

Our afternoon was nice hike on the trail, no more blowdowns but still a few patches of mud. Most of which we walked around. A couple of hellacious river crossings that made my poles shake in thigh deep water. But besides that, it was a fine day.

After crossing the North Fork of Sun River, I saw my first Northbound CDT Hiker. Ein started April 1 and has beelined it from Mexico to here in a little over three months. That’s thirty plus miles a day! He was a bit disheveled as his DEET Bug Spray leaked all over him, his pack and clothes. First of all, that stuff is bad news and probably a Class 1 Carcinogenic. His two shirts had turned colors, his skin was red from the irrigation of all that DEET all over him. We stopped and accessed the situation. I had a Tide Pod for when I get to town to do my laundry. I gave him that, and my extra long sleeve shirt, as he had nothing to wear that wasn’t drenched in bug spray. We talked for a bit, and he was extremely grateful for our help. I wish we could’ve done more. With his youth and drive to get to Glacier, EIN hopes to be there in two days. I sure hope he does.

With our lackluster start, we pushed out another 7-8 miles, found a knoll and pitched camp. We had dinner on a bridge just short of camp being there was quite a bit of bear scat and it seemed like a good thing to do. Outside of that, just another day on the trail.

This wilderness is only held back by the desires to explore it. Once Natalya and I left the CDT Red-Line, our eyes opened to such beauty and abundance.

“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭54‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

My intentions today are just that. Pie in the sky dreams of long miles on the trail. We haven’t been leaving camp before 7am. It’s just nice sitting in our cozy tents, drinking coffee and slowly preparing for what this trail is going to throw at us.

After walking no less than a mile, we had our morning plunge into the river. Both of us had dried our shoes the best that we could and relished the idea of dryish feet. Short lived! It was freezing cold glaciated water. This happened a few times before we were basking in the sunshine once again.

Our miles went fast in the morning. After two breaks we were at Spotted Bear Cutoff. This is the route that most hikers take but word on the trail was “no-go!” The trail was worse than what we’ve encountered. No trail maintenance has occurred since last year and people were turning around. We made the choice to stay on the Red-Line and take our chances.

Around 1pm we met a Flip-Flopper. His name is K-1 and he’s from Korea. He’s a mountaineer and has much experience in the outdoors. His trail intel was “worse blowdowns on trail are coming,” Take your time and after three or so miles, take the Sun River Route. Red-Line is no-good! This kind of info is the best as he has firsthand knowledge and knows what he knows. So after deliberating, Blue and I decided to call it a day early.

We found a flat grassy meadow by the river and relaxed. Tomorrow we will climb Sun River Pass, tackle the three miles of Lincoln logs and bee-line for the Sun River Trail. As long as I keep heading south, that’s all that matters. My legs will appreciate the reprieve from constant climb over and unders, and I’m ready for some scenic miles. I’m sorry but Bob Marshall Wilderness is not that pretty. Many years of forest fires have destroyed the trees and I’m ready for some greenery! Onward-Ho to Sun River Trail.

“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬