Originally I thought 11 miles was a low goal for today but I didn’t know how hard it would be!
After camping at 6300ft we still climbed again in the morning – to 7200ft at the highest point of the ridge. This trail, if you start in the valley, is challenging! So today was all steep ups and downs, rocky terrain which means no striding out anywhere.
I started with Jared but eventually stopped near the top and used the cell reception to get some work done! This is where I graded:
Not bad! Since it’s a ridge we actually had reception half the day but I don’t check that often as it uses lots of battery on the phone.
Hiking by myself, I ran into a nice couple and had a good chat. They were out for a day hike from their campspot at Lost Mountain Lake.
I eventually found Jared again where there was an unexpected water source, 2.8 miles from the end of the day. Two ladies on horses came through, the horses clearly struggling with the rough terrain and big drops.
After meeting Tom from Bonners Ferry and another chatty guy as we were near Pyramid Lake, I realized that there is a road that comes up from the valley (south of where I started, near Bonners Ferry) and these guys were only about 3 miles from their cars!
The last 2 miles went straight up again and my legs were feeling it. We passed Pyramid Lake and went on to Ball Lakes. We are camped at lake #2 where our bushwhack starts tomorrow. It’s the recommended starting point.
The famous bushwhack! Everybody talks about it in the app comments. Apparently it will take us about 6 hours for 6 miles down to the trail that eventually ends on Lower Priest Lake. First a scramble to the ridge, then make-your-own-way down the other side. Bushes, steep downhills etc. By this time tomorrow it’s behind me and I can report back!
We are camped in a lovely flat quiet spot. A family from Spokane came by earlier and I had a nice chat with the dad. As you can see, much much more social than the BC portion!
11.3 miles today, camped at 6600ft, roughly 3200ft climbing today overall.
I don’t know how your managed to find the trail! I’m sure I would have been lost by this point.
The bushwhack was challenging for sure! We have an app that shows the trail as a red line so at least you can stay close but in that jungle, the line meant nothing 😳
It’s a fun bushwhack, hopefully you don’t run into another grizz in there! (Or another hiker who hears your noise and thinks you are a bear)
It is most certainly NOT fun 🤣🤣 We did meet 3 guys going up in the middle of the bush! What a stupid section. I’d do the ridge next time!
Ja Mädelchen, das ist ja ein anspruchsvoller Pfad, toll, dass du das schaffst! Herrliche Landschaft, sei behütet, ich denke an dich, deine mum
Thanks so much!