Tag: Montana / Idaho

• [Day 118] Waterton

  

  That’s it. After a flat five-mile walk along the west side of Waterton Lake, I made it to the terminus of the Continental Divide Trail at the Treaty of 1925 border monument — a treaty which resolved some border disputes and clarified the 49th parallel as the United States-Canada border in these parts. 🗓️ Date…

  jarodlyles

  August 25, 2023

  CDT

  Montana / Idaho

• [Day 117] Highline Trail to Goat Haunt

  

  Today is my last full day of hiking in my continuous footpath from Mexico to Canada. And, it may arguably be one of my most memorable days on the trail. 🗓️ Date August 24th ⇢ Mileage 32.7 📍 Trip Mileage 2783.5 ⛅️ Weather Partly cloud morning with some high winds on St. Mary Lake; good…

  jarodlyles

  August 24, 2023

  CDT

  Montana / Idaho

• [Day 116] Over Piegan to Many

  

  There was some light rain this morning, which encouraged me to stay in the tent a bit later than I anticipated. I had a 30 mile day ahead, likely with more climbing than I predicted. With longer hiking days — and longer is a relative measure per person — it is wise to tack on…

  jarodlyles

  August 23, 2023

  CDT

  Montana / Idaho

• [Day 115] Dawson & Triple Divide Pass

  

  I packed up my belongings, sorted an extra box of unnecessary items to leave at East Glacier, hit Brownies for breakfast, and made it to the East Glacier Lodge for the 8:15am shuttle to Two Medicine. My shuttle driver from yesterday, Pat, kindly did the service of reserving me a spot on the packed morning…

  jarodlyles

  August 22, 2023

  CDT

  Montana / Idaho

• [Day 114] Fox of Two Medicine

  

  I slept terrible. The old biker fellow at the basecamp — which is a former restaurant turned into a lounge and sleeping space with some adjacent dry cabins — asked everyone if they snored yesterday night. Of course, he was the only one who snored. This morning, he approached me in the kitchen, saying, “The…

  jarodlyles

  August 21, 2023

  CDT

  Montana / Idaho

• [Day 113] East Glacier

  

  My tent and campsite were dry this morning. The clouds are high, dry, and smokey, but I question when the rain will come. Tropical storm Hilary made landfall in Southern California; it’s only a matter of time before the weather remnants hit northern states. 🗓️ Date August 20th ⇢ Mileage 34.5 📍 Trip Mileage 2680.5…

  jarodlyles

  August 20, 2023

  CDT

  Montana / Idaho

• [Day 112] Sidney Fire Reroute

  

  My day in the Bob Marshall Wilderness was one of my greatest days on the trail. I woke up around 7am, took my bear hang down, ate a couple 3 Musketeers chocolate bars for breakfast, and started up the 2200-foot climb to Switchback Pass. The pass is appropriately named — what an invigorating and engaging…

  jarodlyles

  August 19, 2023

  CDT

  Montana / Idaho

• [Day 111] The Wall

  

  It was a beautiful, albeit clumsy day with probably a wrong choice. Nonetheless, the impressive Bob Marshall Wilderness makes up for any flaws, suffering, and doubtfulness. After a breakfast of Oreos, a 2000-foot, six-mile climb initiated the day. The trail has been pristine since the Scapegoat Wilderness — reasonable grades on ascents and descents, cleared…

  jarodlyles

  August 18, 2023

  CDT

  Montana / Idaho

• [Day 110] Into the Bob

  

  I woke up around 5am to dogs barking not far from my stealth camp. It was barely light out. I was not looking to cause any issues with the American Legion of Augusta who runs the fairgrounds. I pulled a scummy move of camping on the property without any prior permission, so I packed up…

  jarodlyles

  August 17, 2023

  CDT

  Montana / Idaho

• [Day 109] Half a Pack

  

  My backpack feels half-a-pack lighter after yesterday’s 20-mile water carry and 7,000 feet of accumulated ascent. Fortunately, water should be a nonissue along the trail ahead. That is, if I can walk the trail ahead… I became a smoker today, huffing my first half-a-pack of tobacco-free soot from the nearby Colt and Stadium Creek fire…

  jarodlyles

  August 16, 2023

  CDT

  Montana / Idaho