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