- NNML 2026 Day 17, July 4, Saturday
- Start S5 mile 13, just above treeline, 3 miles from Heart Lake
- End S5 reroute, near Red River
- Miles walked: 26
I proceed in the Latir Wilderness, walking from cairn to cairn.
One cairn moved as I was walking to it. Turns out it was an elk kneeling.
The sub-alpine plants are fascinating. I should learn more, so I can understand what I am looking at.
What views.
How fortunate that I am gifted with views today. The forest fire smoke has kept to the north.
Approaching the lake, the route begins to descend from the heights and stunning views.
Heart Lake is a favorite destination for hikers. Many do not realize the views waiting for them if they climb up a short distance past the treeline.
A huge blowdown of trees on Midnight Trail beyond the lake makes the route impassable. The route designer has offered an alternate out-and-back route, that requires going back on some of the trails I just hiked. But first, I want to hike on Midnight to survey the damage.
Baldy Cabin is interesting, but too dark inside.
I do not get very far on Midnight before finding some blowdowns that are difficult to walk around.
One of these blowdowns involved several healthy trees, with roots pulled out by the wind. This is not close to the reported site of the big blowdown event, but it is still hard for me to proceed, and I turn back, resolved to investigate #further after the hike.
I use Lake Fork Trail to return to Cabresto lake from yesterday. Many fewer people are visiting today.
Later I take Trail 195 from the lake access road all the way to the village of Red River. The beginning of the trail is extremely steep with loose rock. A couple of dirt bikers, who started before me, find the going tough, and are ready to head back.
They are amazed I could get as far as I did.
Finally finishing the climb, the trail goes along the ridge and is fairly level. Trees block most views, but I do see a molybdenum mine.
At the outskirts of Red River I grab water at a faucet at Junebug campground, which is full. I find USFS land nearby and pitch a tent.
Finished audiobook One Man’s Initiation 1917, by John Dos Passos.