Journey Day 384 | CDT Day 47

A small cave I visited in 1987 in idaho.

The ridge ahead from an Idaho cliff in 1987.

7/30/87

Wet tents from a heavy dew dampen our morning spirits, but we hike off into a clear day past Morrison Lake and onto a jeep road that will carry us across the prairie and most of our day. I fall behind early and never hike with the others again until lunch at Cabin Creek. In the meantime, I hike along in heat that grows with the day over dry roadway with Red Conglomerates and Mt. Garfield, Medicine Lodge Pass in the distance.

Talk long with a BLM technician who gives us route options, etc. We part, but I'm soon jawing again, this time with landowners in a pick-up. Under power lines posing straightest route to the pass. I hike to lunch spot, where Laurie's in a funk, others somewhat down. Dry gear, show options, eat, before hiking on. The guys discuss Laurie's malaise, but then leave Leonard to deal with it. Soon after he drops back to hike with her, BLM technician pulls up with Leonard and Laurie in tow, so Carl and I jump in to junction. Here they continue on road, I opt for trail option BLM tech suggested, but first head up cliffs in search of cave with wickiup. Steep climb, eventually to ridge, but no wickiup cave. Do find animal dens, other depressions that might have served as cliff dwellings for sheepeaters, tribe a man in Lincoln talked of and BLM rekindled my memory of.

I imagined cliff dwellings described to me as we hiked into Idaho.

Tired of cliffs, I head down, get pack, ford immediately. Back in boots and socks, I hike jeep road up Deadwood Creek Canyon. Nice walking, interesting rocks. Antelope herd on ridge runs away. Have to ford silted confluence. In gravel, etc., almost to my knees. Clean up, hike vague road, spot deer munching near creek. Several interesting birds.

Back on clear trail up canyon, spot them, then into camp where the road crosses the creek. Slowly pitch, cook, tell of adventure. Laurie still malfunctioning. Help Carl with photos, finish feast, and update with daylight to burn. A little reading and I'll be ready for the sack.