Journey Day 349 | CDT Day 12

Wildflowers along the Continental Divide Trail in June 1987.

6/23/87

Only a minimal breakfast for me, we go sock and insoleless to immediate ford of Clack Creek, but a second later on a rocky shoal forces us to repeat indignantly. Feet still get wet this time.

But we're off through the woods, over blowdowns into Clack Creek Valley, a beautifully lush area with good, if ill-maintained trail. After first break in the woods, find ourselves beginning a climb that will last until the afternoon.

We ascend by steep switchbacks away from creek to table on a thin ridge between Trilobite Range and the creek valley. The climb seems endless. We're unsure if it's the right way, but the views are excellent up toward the Trilobites, also back toward Glacier and ahead to a southeastern ridge seen through the pass. I feel weak until snack and nap with group. Soon after, we're at a great viewpoint, north and south. Also see Dean Lake. Not of Sierra quality, but the best we've seen in The Bob. A final climb through fairy tale flowers, peaks on high meadow to pass an anti-climax.

Climb’s finish revives, and I feel good at break just past Switchback Pass. Let others go ahead, loll downhill, a long hike to Pentagon Creek, crossing. Milk transfusion gives me energy, hike on down to final creek ford on log jam, then a ridgewalk to Pentagon Ranger Station.

It's lackluster, so a bummer as my energy crashes. No water, small porch. Cook, eat two dinners (too much), crank hanging food for Carl and me. Upset when Leonard tries to get porch. We end up with it, but it's too small for us.

Once Adkinses clear porch, we can get up diagonal set-up. More tame deer dart about looking for whatever to eat. Pentagon and another creek run nearby, making for good background music. I'm exhausted. Longest day yet - 16.3 miles, and tough ones.