Journey Day 363 | CDT Day 26

Carl Ownbey, at left, and Leonard Adkins, resting atop Montana.

Up from our nice (though slightly trashed by 4th activites) site, we mobilize, eat breakfast and begin the hike to the Divide at Bullion Parks. Not bad at all - the climb ends with little distress or sweat. It is a chilly morning.

Follow ridgetop road for most of the day, nice views to Garnet Range at a break in the meadow. Then more forest walking. Light traffic, including older couple from Helena who pass second time to tell us they stuck. We talk with them at our sunny break spot.

More hiking, mostly downhill, follow Basin Creek off the Divide. Pass mining claims of past and present. Down through some private lands, back into the national forest. Now Deer Lodge National Forest, having left the Helena National Forest.

Pass on ride offer, do last miles to camp (national forest service campground without fee) on creek. Huge heel blister blunts my spirits. Also no rush to go back into town. Cook and pitch simultaneously, eat at table with the gang, return to tent for update, read, crash...