Day 19

August 15, 2024: Another full day … full of good surprises! Lots of miles walked, lots of elevation gained, lots of cows, even more cow patties and even more grasshoppers! Not sure why they are out in full force right now …

After another restful sleep and even some early morning grading, I was ready for Celeste at 7am. She had agreed to drive me the paved road portion of today’s “trail”. She and her husband really are such wonderful people, and I hope their motel will continue to do as great as it has been (it’s often fully booked in the summer!).

Good thing I had an early start on the big climb! So I started the very long and steep uphill that Keyla and I had come down last time … this is the spot where she jumped into Grahams car! ❤️

And I started climbing on the gravel road … what else is new 🤣 There was no traffic but good views of the valley. Took a break after about 3 hours and then continued. I wasn’t feeling strong but was making good distance. Then Jim aka Santa came my way! Funny how the trail does that 🤣

He stopped in his little ORV and asked if I needed water. I didn’t but we started chatting and he said he would take me up to the next camp. So in the back I rode! It was dusty but so much fun!

Jim made it a sightseeing tour, showing me the loaded tree and his favorite creek.

We stopped at Cold Springs Camp where Keyla and I had stayed before.

At the next trailhead, we said goodbye and I started out again. Such a nice guy, lives in Loomis and was really looking out for me!

This section of trail has really been improved since I last walked it. Fancy bridges, real trail … but still all the cows that I remembered.

Sometimes they scatter, sometimes they casually walk my direction on the other side of the trail, sometimes they keep going in front of me.

The uphill through the cow pasture was still the same as I remembered it. It’s difficult not stepping into those big patties that cover the trail!!

And then finally I was back in the Pasayten Wilderness!

I haven’t seen all of the PNT, especially in Glacier Park but there is no doubt that of all the miles I covered, this stretch is the nicest and my favourite. I have hiked here 4-5 times and know the main trails well, and the views cannot be beat!

I ran into 3 PNT hikers I’ve been hearing about at a creek: Two Swiss girls and an Italian guy. We had a good chat! I was only a mile from my target destination at that point, Horseshoe Pass. That is the area that Ron and I have such fond memories of.

I took a break when I got there, got water and evaluated options. I could camp there where Ron, Keyla and I had been before, or try to get a few more miles done of the 18 mile stretch down to Thirtymile trailhead tomorrow. It was 5pm at that point and my feet were sore. In addition, rain is forecast for tomorrow so the less to hike tomorrow the better.

So I decided to hike a few more! I ran into two guys going towards Horseshoe and was tempted just to turn and camp with them. They were super nice and interested in my hike, and company in a place I know sounded good! But I kept going …

When Ron and I had left Horseshoe Basin to get back to the trailhead, we took an unmaintained trail down to the Chewuch Trail that turned into a blowdown nightmare. In fact we both probably still have nightmares about it! 😁

So I wanted to take the next trail over (Windy Creek), for which the website has been saying “no trail info available”. For a while I questioned my decision as I was already stepping over some blowdowns. Who knew if this trail would be better!

It was also getting later and dark clouds were still on the horizon (though sunny on my part of the trail) … when yet again the trail provided! (It’s a saying hikers have that any issue usually gets resolved by the trail!).

I come around the corner and see not only a nice campsite in this burned area (where it is often difficult to find a flat and safe spot), there is also a very nice couple plus dog already camping there, and the creek for water is right there too. Even better, they have come up Windy Creek, and confirmed it is in great shape! So no concerns for tomorrow’s hike out, and a perfect setting for the night!

I had a wonderful dinner and chat with Jon and Jill, and played with the dog Koma. I hope to hear from them after they finish their loop through the Pasayten!

Koma made sure to lick all our food packages clean after we had finished dinner!

Now the moon just came up over Windy Peak and I’m cozy in my tent and quilt. Most likely it will be chilly tonight, given the elevation. But I’m so glad all worked out today, I met great people and got to visit our favorite spots with Keyla 💕

Started walking at 1200ft. Now at 6500ft. Was at 7200ft. More climbing tomorrow. 17 miles or so UP today!