Journey Day 353 | CDT Day 16

Fording a Montana creek.

6/27/87

Up pretty early in room, others gone as I enjoy second shower, read more news, before heading to post office, then to breakfast that becomes chicken fry steak at Lazy Bee Cafe. Head down to room, where regretfully pack up and leave room for long, hot walk through town to hot spot at gravel road 32 miles to Benchmark and our trailhead. No luck in town despite contacts with other visitors, including group from Boston area.

Sitting in blazing sun, several vehicles pas, but very little traffic at all. Discouraging until a small pick-up driven by a Sgt. Deputy Sheriff picks us up and we have another miraculous ride to trailhead literally. Twenty-four hours from off trail to back on the trail. It can't get much better transportation-wise.

So we're back on the trail and before we know it we're actually at spring (actually stream before spring) before intended camp. Muggy forest walking of little difficulty, so after munch time, we hike on. They get ahead, I space out, travel inside my mind. Not much remarkable on the outside. Another creek trail up Straight Creek. Another break, very hot hiking. One nice view of Half Moon Peak, up through mostly forest. Confused as trail relocated since old guidebook info. Do some extra walking, turn back, finally find Green Fork Station, others already there. I curse guidebook, then get water and cook.

We examine tomorrow's route, including first cross-country up along divide, but apparently in open country. Some joking, good talk, then we take our crash places. I'm under the stars, again hoping it doesn't rain. Update journal, try to read more Post, but pretty tired after almost 11 miles after 1 p.m. More tame deer. Tomorrow should be interesting.