Journey Day 416 | CDT Day 79

Ferris Mountains loomed ahead as we hiked the Great Divide Basin.

9/1/87

Begin September with a pbj sandwich breakfast in advance of daybreak on our site beneath willows along a dried-up creekbed. Big climb starts the day, end up hiking an extra mile when we lose Wolf's route. Up on a ridge to Sheep Creek Park and forest. Mule deer stiff-leg by, we hike back to intersection, begin march to "excellent piped spring," according to Wolf.

Adkinses break on the ridge with a view into the Basin as we slip about its perimeter, but Carl and I hike through a park, past logging to a logging camp. No sign of a guard station, but road leads to an excellent spring. Loll at spring, drinking and thinking. Adkinses there when I come back. They cook lunch, I have two more pbj sandwiches despite stomach upset. Hike on to Wild Horse Lookout and Picnic Area for another break, then down decimated road steeply to Willow Creek area.

Break at the bottom as heat, grit from descent on soft road tell on my vigor. Hike ahead toward Diamond Hook Ranch, see more antelope, cattle and two quasi-wild horses. Very hot, take a break on the road, then push to Diamond Hook, which is occupied. Onto private property, eye buildings, make way to creek, last water for seven miles. I cross creek, cook on ridge above, others on other side on the bank of Willow Creek. Eat hot meal despite 90 degree sun and aridity.

Rancher rides up, tells us what they want, we knew, took a chance. He gets nicer, we talk. He's talking as he rides off. We hike into open lands, more horses with Ferris Mountain ahead. Stop soon, I'm under the stars updating my journal. Chill increases quickly as darkness moves in.