Journey Day 355 | CDT Day 18

Rounding a ridge in Montana.

6/29/87

Up early, I get started before the others, but they end up ready as quickly as me. Actually I follow them down to the creek crossing. But after a hike up the Blackfoot Trail, which includes wet ford causing switch to boots sans insoles and gaiters, but still soakered, we begin long climb to the Divide on the same trail. I end up leading. It's a long, steep climb, followed by a straight-up roadwalk, then ridge walk out of the trees to a stream at the Divide.

After a drink break, we begin bushwhack, actually cross-country, following a faint trail. It's steep climbing on faint tread, avoiding deadfall. Great views in all directions, amazing wildflowers. We see three elk on the ridge.

Descend to forested area with stream, enjoy lunch. Eating big this stretch after carrying too much out of The Bob. Up drainage, still trails mostly. Climb again around Monitor Peak, then more ups and downs (more ups than downs) and we stop on a ridge with nice views to the west.

Down to saddle with flowers, etc., then back up along "minor" peak, according to the guidebook. It's a steep minor peak climb, bringing us to a ridge marked by our first CDT signs, prompting  a photo session near Bighorn Lake. Nice views of the lake as we hike the ridge above, then down the ridge above the Valley of the Moon on a vague trail. Luckily Laurie notices an arrow on a tree, so we catch abrupt left turn and descend to the Valley of the Moon, very dry with small waterhole. We stop and Laurie finds spring, thanks partly to lowered lake level, and we decide to stay. Have a nice dinner, but bees maddening, even as I write, despite my sheltered domicile. It was an exciting day, predominantly above treeline on "The Great Divide." After this I'll read, then crash.