Journey Day 354 | CDT Day 17

Hiking cross country along the Continental Divide in Montana.

6/28/87

Up early and out of camp on cloudy, cold day. Hike up trail took yesterday, keep climbing through high alpine valley with creek to site along ridge. Into woods, pass-like switchbacking up and over crest into Half Moon Park. See two buck elk. We study each other.

Gorge for breakfast. Coldness drives us on, we decide to forego Scapegoat in impending rain and cold winds for Dearborn Creek Trail. Many stream crossings, mostly forest walking to Welcome Creek station vicinity, where we gorge a second time, watch raptor hover above.

Soon after, big black bear oblivious to us rummages across trail as we watch from the other side of the creek.

Take break with water at spring and creek from ridge. A fawn bounces away. More descending along a river. Mellow hiking, soon at intersection with next trail. Back to the Divide tomorrow. But after hiking a short ways, find others heading back in favor of meadow at junction for camping.

Lupine in a Montana meadow.

Find spots despite patches of tufted grass. Pitch, I get water up beautiful side creek. Cook, bear bag (black, plus another Leonard saw today), then head into tent.

Survey route for tomorrow, includes bushwhack (more like cross country) along the Divide. Update, then read before sleep.