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 ‭