HIKE DIARY
Backpacking & thru-hiking
is not always blissful
CDT: day 10, East Glacier to Summit Campground, 15 miles (Bob)
It’s a long, overgrown and buggy walk out of East Glacier towards the wilderness.
CDT: Day 9, Two Medicine to East Glacier, 11 miles (GNP)
The final push out of Glacier is over Signal Mountain then through Blackfeet Nation land.
CDT: Day 8, Atlantic Creek to Two Medicine, 18 miles (GNP)
The CDT alternate over Dawson Pass is some of the finest ‘balcony walking’ of any trail.
CDT: Day 7, Head Red Eagle Lake to Atlantic Creek, 12 miles (GNP)
I get an early start with shade all the way to final zigzags up Triple Divide Pass, then spend hours on top.
CDT: Day 6: Reynolds Creek to Head Red Eagle Lake, 15 miles (GNP)
The walk is hot through overgrowth, past spectacular falls and views to a burn area with no shade.
CDT: Day 5, Many Glacier to Reynolds Creek, 15 miles (GNP)
The trail up to Piegan Pass was covered in snow over switchbacks and required careful crossing.
CDT: Day 4, Poia to Many Glacier (GNP)
The hike was short, but surprisingly steep in forest and meadow, followed by a hot road walk.
CDT: Day 3, Elizabeth Lake to Poia Lake, 10 miles (GNP)
I walked up my first pass at Red Gap strong and assured through wildflowers and one bit of snow.
CDT: Day 2, Cosley Lake to Foot Elizabeth Lake, 4 miles (GNP)
Getting CDT permits was tricky and we had only a short hike to Elizabeth Lake, but it was stunning.
CDT: Day 1, Chief Mountain to Cosley Lake, 9 miles (GNP)
From the border at Chief Mountain, it was a nine-mile walk off trail and through thunderstorms.
getting there
Before the hike comes the blessing, and on the way out, those blessings become reality.
ten things I learned while thru-hiking…
I wrote this right after I had both hips replaced, caught covid and was unsure I’d hike again.
