Tag: Montana / Idaho

• [Day 98] Present Tense

  

  Many imagine a long-distance hike to be a soul searching event where one blissfully discovers themselves and personal meaning through contemplation, scenery, and physical exercise. I do not disagree necessarily — there are certainly moments of this. But, for the 98% of the time when you aren’t frolicking in a field with profound knowledge of…

  jarodlyles

  August 5, 2023

  CDT

  Montana / Idaho

• [Day 97] Hamilton

  

  I woke up around 7am after a night of four hours of half decent sleep. This why I typically try to skip on hotels. What’s a $100 hotel room worth if your sleep is mediocre anyway? Add to it that I despise hotels after living out of one for an entire summer while working in…

  jarodlyles

  August 5, 2023

  CDT

  Montana / Idaho

• [Day 96] Burn & Bones

  

  Looking at my map last night, I concluded an early rise was a practical idea. I had some 23 miles and 7,500 feet of gain to Chief Joseph Pass and Highway 43, where I’d hitch to whatever full-service town my ride might get me to. Unfortunately, I passed up my 6:00am rise for 7:30am. Oh…

  jarodlyles

  August 3, 2023

  CDT

  Montana / Idaho

• [Day 95] Grunge & Gloom

  

  Where’s the wildlife? I somehow manage to walk all day through one of the most remote parts of the contiguous United States with negligible large animal encounters. Only agile squirrels and chipmunks keep me company and taunt me with chirps and maneuvers across the trail. 🗓️ Date August 2nd ⇢ Mileage 29.5 📍 Trip Mileage…

  jarodlyles

  August 2, 2023

  CDT

  Montana / Idaho

• [Day 94] Rinse & Repeat

  

  Now, I’m not dissing the Montana-Idaho border with my title. The country is gorgeous, the ridge and forest walking have been a welcome change, and the scenery only catches the eye more as I continue north. The days since leaving Yellowstone, however, have been a bit of a blur. Hike out of town. Hike 30…

  jarodlyles

  August 1, 2023

  CDT

  Montana / Idaho

• [Day 93] Smoked Salmon

  

  Jenn, a local teacher in town who shuttles hikers, offered me a free ride to Bannock Pass since she was picking up a hiker from the top anyway. She picked me up at 7am this morning from the Stage Stop, and we had a kind conversation on the ride up. Upon dropping me off, she…

  jarodlyles

  July 31, 2023

  CDT

  Montana / Idaho

• [Day 92] Leadore

  

  As one might expect, after establishing a late camp, tossing and turning throughout the night, participating in “scratch attacks” on the allergic reaction on my legs, and holding down the fort in winds that nearly ripped my tent up from its stakes, this morning was not a particularly early or easy rise. The warmth of…

  jarodlyles

  July 30, 2023

  CDT

  Montana / Idaho

• [Day 91] Guthooked

  

  I’ve been tracing a fishhook on the map since leaving Yellowstone as I route the Montana-Idaho border. Finally, it feels as if my direction vector is towards northern progress, rather than predominantly westbound travel. But, after the upcoming couple hundred miles of northbound travel, I’ll have brief eastbound work around Anaconda area before I make…

  jarodlyles

  July 29, 2023

  CDT

  Montana / Idaho

• [Day 90] Setting Sun

  

  Significant time has elapsed since I have left the Mexican border from the Bootheel of New Mexico. As I cross the lines of latitude north and with the proximity to summer solstice, I have gained nearly two hour of daylight, allowing me to walk every day into a late setting sun. I woke up to…

  jarodlyles

  July 28, 2023

  CDT

  Montana / Idaho

• [Day 89] Borderline

  

  Sleep last night was horrific. It’s no wonder I am in and out of town. A combination of I-15 highway traffic, trains passing through the night, campground light pollution, and itchy legs kept me tossing and turning. I rubbed my legs down with Cortisone cream and popped a Benadryl to help with any reactions. A…

  jarodlyles

  July 27, 2023

  CDT

  Montana / Idaho