Journey Day 341 | CDT Day 4

Hiking through Glacier National Park.

6/15/87

Up early, I eat very little, manage to snag bear bag rope up tree. But hike out and quickly down hill, through many large blowdowns along precipitous ridge trail quickly taking us off Flattop. Discover I lost a shoe in the blowdowns, lose my temper. But we all make it down relatively unscathed. Hike hard to Going to the Sun Road and hitch up to Logan Pass, thanks to quick ride.

First no luck with permit as new ranger unable to work radio. Disgusted we're about to hitch on to St Mary's (another 18 miles) when vehicular ranger pulls up and comes to our bureaucratic rescue. Soon we're back to hitching, amazingly catch another ride quickly with U. Montana students and visiting Michigan friends. We jam into back of their truck, see wolf on way, walking tensely near road. Our new friends take us to town and we have burger and fries lunches, they supplement my failing fuel supply, then we say goodbye at the trailhead.

With several breaks in the hot sun, we hike an old road with more alpine flora and amazing views of ranges to the west. Failing miserably, we hike on, breaking at bridge over creek, then on through forest to Red Cloud Lake, dying at first spot, but pushing on to second.

Laurie Adkins crossing a rickety suspension bridge.

Raise tents, beautiful spot on lake, views were best nearer first spot. Bushed, I cook later than others. Rain again threatens, this time disrupting dinner, but I find spot and savor big raviolini in white sauce meal.

Carl bear-bagged my food, but essentials I stowed nearby, hoping they will survive 'til morning. Into tent after admiring storm and duck family so unperturbed on the rippling lake. Open blister, organize tent and write entry. Rain stops, so I'll probably crash with daylight to spare.