CDT Montana, Day 4 to 6, July 12-14

Day 4, July 12: 14 miles

Day 5, July 13: 16 miles

Day 6, July 14: 14 miles to Miner Lake and trail town Jackson, Montana.

After two previous tries I was so happy to finally hike to and across Lemhi Pass, where the Lewis & Clark Corp of Discovery reached the Continental Divide on their way to the Pacific Ocean. I was apprehensive about starting uphill over 1500 feet from the pass with 4 liters of water because the next water source at Goldstone Pass was 19 miles away! It went well! I camped about 5 miles south of Goldstone Pass.

Resting and rehydrating at Goldstone Pass.
After climbing above Goldstone Pass I stopped at 9000 feet to check nearby lightning risks.
It looked safe to proceed after lightning.

The next morning I reached the spring near the pass where I rested a drank plenty of water. Thunderstorms were in the area as I climbed over the next ridge above 9000 feet. After taking shelter to asess the risk, I continued safely. A few lingering snow patches remained from the heavy and much needed winter snowpack. The hike down into the next valley was exhilarating as I turned on the numerous, rocky switchbacks that were sometimes covered by snow. Lower, the amazing wildflowers, especially Lupine, graced the trail in the valleys. Hiking uphill at 9000 feet and above is still very tough, and the concept of Staying In My Own Lane works…slowly and steadily I will get along the trail!

Lupine

On Day 6, July 14 my goal was to reach Minor Creek where I would walk 3 miles to a campground and, hopefully, get a ride to the tiny town of Jackson. Along the way I enjoyed lush green meadows, wildflowers, ponds, streams flowing over the trail, two fords over knee-deep creeks and…mosquitoes! I really enjoyed seeing Beargrass in full bloom with tall, white stalks reaching toward the sky. Beargrass was an important resource for Native Americans, who used the strong grass-like blades to construct baskets and other containers. I think deer like the white petals. The hiking was easier, thanks to good trail conditions and no steep, rocky ascents.

Beargrass.

The walk to the Miner Creek Campground was hot, and I was hopeful to get a ride to town. There was not much traffic leaving the drive-in campground, and I was resigned to camping there and possibly yogiing some beer and food from a group of three men camped next to a campsite I was eyeing for the night. But, fortunately, I flagged down a vehicle along the dusty campground road just before it left me in the dust! By 7 pm I was eating a burger at the Jackson Hot Springs Restaurant! The historic Bunkhouse was a delight to stay for the night even though I camped comfortably on the grassy side yard.

The Bunkhouse Hotel in Jackson. Montana.

CDT Montana, Days 1-2

When I blog on my hikes I do not create posts for every day because after hiking all day my strongest urges are to eat and sleep. And I assume the readers do not need to know every detail, like where I was when I ate lunch, the names of every hiker I met, etc. Although, they will get mentioned from time to time. Days blend together, and what seems less important one day may grow to be of greater significance later.

The CDT north of Bannock Pass, Montana

Day 1, July 9: 12.5 miles, ascent 3009 feet, descent 1870, high 9140.

Day 2, July 10: 14.2 miles, ascent 2050 feet, descent 3540, high 9460.

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December 15, Day 176: Springer Mountain and the completion of the Appalachian Trail!

I really did it. On a nice sunny and breezy day I arrived at Springer Mountain in Georgia at 11:41am on December 15, 2021. Cindy and our friend Sharon hiked up to Springer Mountain along the Approach Trail and arrived at the same time as I did.

December 15, 2021 on Springer Mountain, Georgia
Continue reading “December 15, Day 176: Springer Mountain and the completion of the Appalachian Trail!”

December 13: Getting close to Springer Mountain, 24 miles!

The weather is perfect…enabling me to savor the last few glorious days on the Appalachian Trail. I am embracing some special moments: seeing a Spotted Towhee, my favorite bird which are rarely seen on the AT but numerous in Oregon; conversations with other hikers who are passionate about this trail and curious about my thru-hike; the clear sky at night with the moon, planets and stars illuminating my campsites; owls hooting; the incredible sunrises and sunsets; and simply walking!

View to the south from Blood Mountain. Springer Mountain is out there somewhere.
Continue reading “December 13: Getting close to Springer Mountain, 24 miles!”

December 10: Signs that the finish is near!

Since I last posted on December 8 I hiked 16.7 miles from Dick’s Creek Gap to Unicoi Gap, a section that looked easy on the map. In reality the altimeter watch I wear indicated I climbed 5,295 feet, many of which were steep. Only on three other days did the ascent exceed what I did on December 10. It’s no wonder I was tired! Lisa, the owner of Hostel Around the Bend, drove to Unicoi Gap and returned me to the hostel. I will resume hiking on December 12. The zero days at the hostel are conveniently timed for the rainy weather on the 10th and 11th. Along the 51 miles to Springer Mountain sunny and mild weather will inspire my footsteps to the completion of the Appalachian Trail!

Yesterday, December 9, there were no panoramic views or small things that inspired me to capture images for the blog. However, as I got closer to and crossed into Georgia I noticed the unusual and somewhat funny names of places on trail signs. I am devoting the images posted here to those signs and others I photographed during the last few days.

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December 8: Springer fever ahead!

69 miles! That is all that remains of the Appalachian Trail for me to hike between today, December 8, and December 15, the day Cindy will meet me at Springer Mountain. There were signs that the end of my journey was near. I crossed the place on the AT that was just 100 miles from Springer Mountain. Soon after that was the border between North Carolina and Georgia, the final state to enjoy.

At the border where I entered Georgia, final state on the Appalachian Trail.
Continue reading “December 8: Springer fever ahead!”

December 2, Day 163 on the Appalachian Trail: Thoughts on the final 156 miles

The southern border of Great Smokies National Park represented a transition on this 2,193 mile hike. Going forward from there it is only 168 miles to Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the AT. As of today its even fewer, 151 miles! The mountains will be lower than the Smokies, although sometimes just as steep. I will finish on December 15 when my lovely wife Cindy will meet me at Springer Mountain. I really look forward to our reunion! The schedule enables a welcome level of flexibility for my hiking to the finish.

My mind wanders as I walk these near-the-end miles, often landing on a larger perspective of the journey.

Greg in Wild at Hogback Gap, mile 2,038.
Continue reading “December 2, Day 163 on the Appalachian Trail: Thoughts on the final 156 miles”

November 27-30: Through the Smokies in five days

I hiked through 77 miles of the Great Smokies National Park in five days. The elevation was as high as 6,610 feet, the weather was cold and icy one day. But the rest of the time it was very pleasant.

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November 26, Day 157: First day in the Smokies

Day 157, 26-Nov. Milepost: 1962.0, Daily: 10.4, Ascent: 4450′, Descent: 1280′, Highest: 5120′.  Camp: Cosby Knob Shelter, GSNP 4725′.

First day in Great Smokies National Park. Above 4000′ ice clung to trees, trail had dusting of snow, temperature dropped below freezing in shaded areas.  The higher I hiked the more icy everything got. The trail looked like winter sometimes.  In camp I have a hot water Nalgene bottle inside sleeping bag. It’s too cold to write much more. Enjoy the photos!

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