So bittersweet. This is our last day of hiking with Just Sally. We have a short walk to rendezvous with our shuttle and Trail Angel Jocelyn. Another easy peasy day with no real elevation to speak of. When I woke up at my typical 5am, I made my Cafe Latte and walked to the meadow in search of big game.

As the sun rose, not a creature was steering, not even a mouse. I thought for sure I’d see some elk or deer, but no such luck. Just me sitting on a log, watching the sun rise and the flowers perk up. It was lovely on any account.

The girls were stirring and we slowly packed up in search of the trail. This section of CDT is quite allusive and it isn’t even mapped on my CalTopo. So many at home have not understood where in the world have we gone. But be assured we are truly on the trail heading Nobo towards Butte.

After a little hunting and pecking, we found a road that was in fact, our trail. We passed many open meadows, some beautiful red cedar trees and lodge poles, and odd looking mushrooms that were the size of dinner plates!

We found our one and only watering hole, SixMile Creek. Being we had carried so much water yesterday to camp, close to ten liters between the three of us, we didn’t need to fill up. We had brunch, white navy beans with fennel and rosemary. Sounds much better than it tasted, with some dried fruit. Then we talked about he steak, potatoes and salad we would be eating as soon as we got to town.

The last two miles was the newest of all the trails that we had to navigate. It went through a Fish and Game area that would not allow trails to be built on their land. So instead of following a trail or road, there were CDT Markers on fence posts, trees and odd places along the way. We basically cut trail through grasslands. All I could think of was “snake in the grass” or “ticks.” My biggest fear on trail.

After meandering in the field of dreams, we made it to an old outpost. I’m sure in its hay day it was something special. All the buildings were in disrepair and definitely not inhabitable. We made it to the roadway and Fearless constructed us a shade awning that was quite remarkable. We sat underneath it and watched as the drivers dodged the Free Range Cows that decided the grass was, literally greener on the other side!

Jocelyn arrived and whisked us away to Anaconda where a resupply box was waiting for us. Then drove us to her home in Butte where Sally’s truck was parked. This is such a beautiful part of the trail, in the fact, that complete strangers help shuttle weary and stinky hikers from trail to town. It truly is one of the best parts of hiking to and fro. The people who out of the kindness of their hearts rearrange their schedules just so they can be a part of this process. We couldn’t do it without their help and sacrifice. Thank you Jocelyn!

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬