CDT Montana 2016
Day 26, July 31, Sunday.
Start 21-070M along majestic ridge, about 13 miles bofore Stemple Pass
Stop 22-045M 2.3 miles beyond Flesher Pass
Miles walked: 27.3
Camp last night was just down from a high exposed ridge with great views, so I get to start the day walking in glory on high ridge.
Arty self portrait in early morning sun.
Coming down from the ridgeline, a couple with infant are picking huckleberries.
They show me the plant and berry to identify, and let me taste some berries they already picked. I ask about another berry that someone told me is edible, that these folks call squawberry, very tiny and red, the main understory for lodgepole pine forest along with huckleberry. Berries become a refreshing snack for me throughout the day.
A lookout tower at Granite Butte is closed, of course, but you can climb up partway and appreciate good vistas.
Here is what it looks like from the open middle level of the tower.
Not long after the lookout is a water source for the day, a half mile off trail at Gould Creek.
Haze still smears the sky, so you do not get as many photos of distant peaks.
The trail starts down to Stemple Pass.
On the other side of Stemple is a cross-country ski area which the CDT follows for miles.
Another narrow lodgepole pine corridor embraces the trail.
Part of the goal today is to make as many miles as practical, given several up-and-down climbs and detour to get water, and being loaded with extra water. More miles today means I can get to Rogers Pass and down to town in Lincoln at a reasonable time tomorrow.
Looking back on Flesher Pass, another climb up swithcbacks near the end of the day can be a challenge to the will.
Dry camp is a few miles beyond the last pass, in good position for a pleasant visit to town tomorrow. No southbounders came past me today… how sad.
[finished audiobook Love Among the Chickens, by P G Wodehouse]