Book 1 Chapter 4 – Scapegoat Wilderness

Scapegoat Wilderness to Lincoln, MT.

I finished day 5, exhausted and dehydrated, camping without cooking ( dry camp ) in the burn zone.

Day 6 – Dearborn River, and the Riders on the Storm

Burn area all day, and racing thunder all afternoon.  Umbrella was up for hours in the drizzle.  Ended up mostly dry until the stream crossing just BEFORE the river.  Then I slipped and went into the mud up over my shoes.  That made the next river crossing in the rain WAY easier.  My feet and pants were already wet, so in I went.  Got to a campsite and found a dry ish spot under a tree.  Feet and pants soaked.  It was a semi official campsite, the USFS provided a big shovel for catholes.

The rain fizzled out.  There were a lot of sticks and some logs around… so maybe a fire?  Got one going just as Young Kate and Zoe showed up.  It was roaring by the time Fizz rolled in.  So we all toasted our feet and ate our noodles and had a proper dinner circle.

Day 7 – the Ridge Walk

A crippling, brutal 20 miles.  About 7000 feet up, and 5000 feet down.  At least my pack was light since i was down to noodles and a few bars.  Up to 8300 feet at one point, on top of the world.  Again, being first out if camp meant that I could enjoy the whole thing alone.  Like an explorer on a new planet.  Wind kept the bugs away.  Later, I would curse the wind as it blew me out of the trail with gusts.  Also, super hard to pee in that kind of weather.  Jim Croce would have some advice, I think.

Limited camping options meant that I had to push about 20 miles.    But it was worth it, payback for all the shitty burn areas, wet feet, flies, and grindy, hot weather.  Like Franconia Ridge in NH, but way better.  The cherry on top of the Bob/Scapegoat 8 day run.

Day 8 – Lincoln, MT

The CDT had a few last screw-yous and steep climbs, but I scraped together the last of my snacks and energy and powered up and over, coming down to Roger’s Pass around 10:30.  The downhills are rough on my foot.  I really don’t want that old break to rise from its grave.

I cleaned up at the trailhead.  To the point that a person there assumed I had just come FROM town.  “You’re too clean to be a hiker!”

Baby wipes are your friend.

A quick ride in, and it was phone charging, pizza, and laundry time.  Then off to tent city.  There’s a bar that let’s hikers and bikers camp for free behind in their yard.  So nice.

Fourth ( and 5th ) of July

I stayed over to the 5th to see the parade, but gave the rodeo a pass.  Good to take the day off; my ankles and feet need it.  Plus, eating ice cream and sitting around is pretty nice.  We got a nice gas station breakfast, and then I people watched.  The day ended with me in the bar, waiting for my stuff to recharge, watching bull riding on TV, and listening to the patrons sing along to the jukebox.

Next stop, Helena, via the Llama farm.  Gone are the snowy peaks, and now we’re in the dry hilly zone with the 20 mile water carries.  Camel up each morning for sure.  You drink half a liter or so while you’re at a water source, and the water in your bottles lasts much longer.