6/17/10
Segment 8, Bannock Pass to Lemhi Pass: Beaverhead Mountains.
Word was that the Trail ahead would be impassable because of the unusually late, heavy snow. We spent an entire day looking at Trailheads, and ended up choosing to skip segments 6 & 7, and hike Segment 8, this in spite of the advice of the Forest Service staff in Leadore, ID.
Mike Strang found another Trail Angel for us, Mike Hall of Lima, who with a friend of his, George, followed us to the beginning access point at Bannock Pass and drove Big Yuke to the end of the segment at Lemhi Pass. We hiked a little more than 8 miles the first day. The snow was deep and difficult much of the time, but we did find a decent camp site for the night.
Towards the end of the second day, it became obvious that we were NOT going to find a place to set up the tents, for we were in deep snow with no prospect of any clear space until close to the Trailhead. Pem found us an escape route down Peterson Creek, and we camped just below the snow near the creek. We had hiked 9.5 miles, but we were off the Trail with no intention of trying to continue.
On the third day, we awoke to about five inches of new snow. Our tents were covered, and we had to struggle to get up, get the wet tents packed, and go on down the creek. We had the good fortune to be on the correct side of the creek when we suddenly came to an abandoned road. We trudged on through the snow into wet grass and on into the mud of melting show on a dirt road that took us down towards the highway between Leadore and Salmon.
After about 8 miles of hiking, I came up to where Pem and Roderick had stopped to wait for me. They had their tents laid out to dry in the sun. We visited briefly and decided we’d try to hitchhike into Salmon that day and figure out how to get the Yukon the next day. I hiked on while my partners packed up again.
I stopped at the very first house I came to, thinking I’d ask to make a phone call to try to figure out if there was a way to get a ride without hitchhiking. What a surprise awaited me there! The woman who came to the door was polite and pleasant, and after visiting with me for a few minutes suddenly said, “I think I’ll just take you up Lemhi Pass and save you a lot of hassle.” (words to that effect anyway) She called her husband, a seasonal forest ranger, who had just arrived at Lemhi Pass and verified that Big Yuke was parked there! (He later stated that if his wife had called a few minutes earlier or a few minutes later, he would have been out of cell phone range.)
When we got to Lemhi Pass, it had not occurred to me that this gracious woman and I had not exchanged names, and I had, indeed, slept much of the time as she drove. When I got out of the truck she had used to get us there, her husband came over to me, shook hands, and said, “Hi, I’m Shane Matson.”
So, that’s how we met our new best friends, true Trail Angels into the bargain, Shane and Julia Matson. We were fortunate to be able to share a pizza party with them and their family a few nights later in Salmon.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Blog Entry 2, 2010
6/14/10
Segment 5, Interstate 15 to Bannack (Medicine Lodge) Pass: Beaverhead Mountains of the Bitterroot Range.
Trail Angel Mike Strang helped us scope out the Trailhead at Bannack Pass, the ending access to Segment 5, on Wednesday, 6/9, so that we could know exactly where we would be met on Sunday. He then rode with us to the beginning Trailhead at Monida Pass, and took our vehicle, “Big Yuke,” back to Lima.
We started with Segment 5 because the word we got was that the CDT in Idaho would not yet be passable. It turned out to be a strenuous 5-day hike, for a variety of reasons, including a lot of snow to hike through. Wednesday turned into an extremely windy day, so after covering the first several miles, we set up our tents at angles to the wind. The line of this part of the Trail is really three lines, the Great Divide itself, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Idaho-Montana border.
We understand that this Segment is on BLM land, so there is no cut tread, just a series of signs to indicate the CDT. Unfortunately the signs are few and far between, and seem to be missing at critical points. We are grateful for the Benchmark maps and for our GPS, and I am most grateful for Pem’s orienteering skills. The trail goes straight up from each low point and straight down from each high point most of the time. We did not do what the guidebook suggested, hiking our own switchbacks, we just hiked up and down and up and down.
On Thursday we saw a few antelope and lots of evidence of elk. We commented on the fact that a few years ago, whenever one would see an antelope one would see a dozen or more close to each other, but these days, a lone antelope is what is usually seen. The wind continued but we were becoming accustomed to it.
It was amazing to view “the world” from the top of the Divide for so many days. The views were spectacular.
We think we did not use the Trail as we should have past the calcium carbonate quarry, (no signs) but went past the quarry on the other side and didn’t actually see the quarry until we were past it.
On Saturday evening when we were searching for a camp site, we saw the pick-up point off in the distance below us. We realized that we were well below the ridge of the Divide, and probably just traveling parallel to the Trail. On Sunday morning then, we hiked toward the stream crossing where we would be met rather than struggling back up to the ridge. We were met by Mike and soon after we crossed the stream. By mid-afternoon we were back in Lima for a rest day.
Segment 5, Interstate 15 to Bannack (Medicine Lodge) Pass: Beaverhead Mountains of the Bitterroot Range.
Trail Angel Mike Strang helped us scope out the Trailhead at Bannack Pass, the ending access to Segment 5, on Wednesday, 6/9, so that we could know exactly where we would be met on Sunday. He then rode with us to the beginning Trailhead at Monida Pass, and took our vehicle, “Big Yuke,” back to Lima.
We started with Segment 5 because the word we got was that the CDT in Idaho would not yet be passable. It turned out to be a strenuous 5-day hike, for a variety of reasons, including a lot of snow to hike through. Wednesday turned into an extremely windy day, so after covering the first several miles, we set up our tents at angles to the wind. The line of this part of the Trail is really three lines, the Great Divide itself, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Idaho-Montana border.
We understand that this Segment is on BLM land, so there is no cut tread, just a series of signs to indicate the CDT. Unfortunately the signs are few and far between, and seem to be missing at critical points. We are grateful for the Benchmark maps and for our GPS, and I am most grateful for Pem’s orienteering skills. The trail goes straight up from each low point and straight down from each high point most of the time. We did not do what the guidebook suggested, hiking our own switchbacks, we just hiked up and down and up and down.
On Thursday we saw a few antelope and lots of evidence of elk. We commented on the fact that a few years ago, whenever one would see an antelope one would see a dozen or more close to each other, but these days, a lone antelope is what is usually seen. The wind continued but we were becoming accustomed to it.
It was amazing to view “the world” from the top of the Divide for so many days. The views were spectacular.
We think we did not use the Trail as we should have past the calcium carbonate quarry, (no signs) but went past the quarry on the other side and didn’t actually see the quarry until we were past it.
On Saturday evening when we were searching for a camp site, we saw the pick-up point off in the distance below us. We realized that we were well below the ridge of the Divide, and probably just traveling parallel to the Trail. On Sunday morning then, we hiked toward the stream crossing where we would be met rather than struggling back up to the ridge. We were met by Mike and soon after we crossed the stream. By mid-afternoon we were back in Lima for a rest day.
Blog Entry 1, 2010
6/8/10
It was a long day. Pem and Roderick, that’s Pem Sherpa and Roderick Macaulay, were both at Rotary, and both were ready to leave out for Montana right after the meeting. Some 13 hours later we arrived here at the Mountain View Motel in Lima, Montana.
It was a long day. Pem and Roderick, that’s Pem Sherpa and Roderick Macaulay, were both at Rotary, and both were ready to leave out for Montana right after the meeting. Some 13 hours later we arrived here at the Mountain View Motel in Lima, Montana.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
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Wednesday, April 14, 2010
New 2010 Itenerary, Trek Begins May 16, 2010
ROTARY CDT CHALLENGE, 2007-2010
Hiking & special event schedule
Updated 4/05/10, for 2010 Idaho-Montana Trek
981 miles, Wyoming border to Canada border
We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the following companies and individuals:
Backpacks and other gear by Go-Lite Corporation.
Maps, mapping software, and instruction by National Geographic Maps.
Vasque boots by Red Wing Shoes.
Food by Backpackers Pantry.
Web Log by Mindy Aragon, www.matquest.blogspot.com .
Graphics by Smoky Hill Rotarian Gary (GraySarge) Fletcher and Evergreen Rotarian R.L. Sackerson.
Brochure by Denver Sky High Rotarian Stephanie Ursini, and Kathy Walker.
Travel Directions by Conifer Rotarians Steve Browne and Arnold Agre.
Postcards by Randall Sackerson and Gary (GraySarge Fletcher.
Fitness Center Access, Pine Junction Fitness Center, Conifer Rotarian Bruce Ward, and Paula Ward.
May 16, Sunday –
Enroute to Rawlins, Wyoming,
Overnight Rawlins KOA.
May 17 – 24, Monday–Monday –
Hiking between Rawlins and South Pass City,
specifics to be determined.
May 25, Tuesday –
Return home.
May 31, Monday –
Enroute to Macks Inn, Idaho,
Overnight enroute.
Segments 1 & 2, West Yellowstone, Montana
Segment 1, Yellowstone National Park to Targhee Pass, Easy, 36 miles.
Dates to be determined
Segment 2, Targhee Pass to Red Rock Pass: Henrys Lake Mountains, Moderate, 34 miles.
Dates to be determined
Hiking & special event schedule
Updated 4/05/10, for 2010 Idaho-Montana Trek
981 miles, Wyoming border to Canada border
We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the following companies and individuals:
Backpacks and other gear by Go-Lite Corporation.
Maps, mapping software, and instruction by National Geographic Maps.
Vasque boots by Red Wing Shoes.
Food by Backpackers Pantry.
Web Log by Mindy Aragon, www.matquest.blogspot.com .
Graphics by Smoky Hill Rotarian Gary (GraySarge) Fletcher and Evergreen Rotarian R.L. Sackerson.
Brochure by Denver Sky High Rotarian Stephanie Ursini, and Kathy Walker.
Travel Directions by Conifer Rotarians Steve Browne and Arnold Agre.
Postcards by Randall Sackerson and Gary (GraySarge Fletcher.
Fitness Center Access, Pine Junction Fitness Center, Conifer Rotarian Bruce Ward, and Paula Ward.
May 16, Sunday –
Enroute to Rawlins, Wyoming,
Overnight Rawlins KOA.
May 17 – 24, Monday–Monday –
Hiking between Rawlins and South Pass City,
specifics to be determined.
May 25, Tuesday –
Return home.
May 31, Monday –
Enroute to Macks Inn, Idaho,
Overnight enroute.
Segments 1 & 2, West Yellowstone, Montana
Segment 1, Yellowstone National Park to Targhee Pass, Easy, 36 miles.
Dates to be determined
Segment 2, Targhee Pass to Red Rock Pass: Henrys Lake Mountains, Moderate, 34 miles.
Dates to be determined
Trek Itenerary June 1- July 1, 2010
Segment 3, Macks Inn, Idaho
Segment 3, Red Rock Pass to Aldous Lake: Centennial Mountains, Strenuous, 31 miles
June 1, Tuesday –
Travel to Segment 3 trailhead,
Hike first part of trail, camp on trail.
June 2, Wednesday -
Hike second part of trail, camp on trail.
June 3, Thursday –
Hike third part of trail, camp on trail.
June 4, Friday -
Hike last part of trail, camp near trailhead.
Segment 4, Kilgore, Idaho
Segment 4, Aldous Lake Trailhead to Interstate 15: Centennial Mountains, Moderate, 31 miles.
June 5, Saturday –
Hike first part of trail, camp on trail.
June 6, Sunday –
Hike second part of trail, camp on trail.
June 7, Monday –
Hike last part of trail,
Travel to Lima,
Overnight in Lima.
June 8, Tuesday –
Rest day
Travel to trailhead, camp near trailhead.
Segments 5 – 7, Lima, Montana
Segment 5, Interstate 15 to Bannack (Medicine Lodge) Pass: Beaverhead Mountains of the Bitterroot Range, Moderate, 42 miles.
June 9, Wednesday –
Hike first part of trail, camp on trail.
June 10, Thursday –
Hike second part of trail, camp on trail.
June 11, Friday –
Hike third part of trail, camp on trail.
June 12, Saturday –
Hike fourth part of trail, camp on trail.
June 13, Sunday –
Hike last part of trail,
Rest day, camp near trailhead.
Segment 6, Bannack (Medicine Lodge) Pass to Morrison Lake: Beaverhead Mountains of the Bitterroot Range, Strenuous, 33 miles.
June 14, Monday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
June 15, Tuesday –
Hike second part of segment, camp on trail.
June 16, Wednesday –
Hike last part of segment, camp near trailhead
Segment 7, Morrison Lake to Bannock Pass: Beaverhead Mountains, Moderate, 23 miles.
June 17, Thursday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
June 18, Friday –
Hike last part of segment, camp near trailhead.
Segment 8, Leadore, Idaho
Segment 8, Bannock Pass to Lemhi Pass: Beaverhead Mountains, Moderate, 28 miles.
June 19, Saturday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
June 20, Sunday –
Hike second part of segment, camp on trail.
June 21, Monday –
Hike last part of segment,
Travel to Leadore, overnight in Leadore.
June 22, Tuesday –
Rest day,
Travel to trailhead, camp near trailhead
Segment 9, Tendoy, Idaho
Segment 9, Lemhi Pass to Goldstone Pass: Beaverhead Mountains, Moderate, 20 miles.
June 23, Wednesday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
June 24, Thursday –
Hike last part of segment, camp near trailhead.
Segments 10 & 11, Jackson, Montana
Segment 10, Goldstone Pass to Miner Lakes Trailhead: Beaverhead Mountains of the Bitterroot Range, Moderate, 27 miles.
June 25, Friday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
June 26, Saturday –
Hike second part of segment, camp on trail.
June 27, Sunday –
Hike last part of segment,
Travel to Jackson, overnight in Jackson.
June 28, Monday –
Rest day, overnight in Jackson.
Segment 11, Miner Lakes Trailhead to Big Hole Pass: Beaverhead Mountains of the Bitterroot Range, Strenuous, 33 miles.
June 29, Tuesday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
June 30, Wednesday –
Hike second part of segment, camp on trail.
July 1, Thursday –
Hike last part of segment, camp near trailhead.
Segment 3, Red Rock Pass to Aldous Lake: Centennial Mountains, Strenuous, 31 miles
June 1, Tuesday –
Travel to Segment 3 trailhead,
Hike first part of trail, camp on trail.
June 2, Wednesday -
Hike second part of trail, camp on trail.
June 3, Thursday –
Hike third part of trail, camp on trail.
June 4, Friday -
Hike last part of trail, camp near trailhead.
Segment 4, Kilgore, Idaho
Segment 4, Aldous Lake Trailhead to Interstate 15: Centennial Mountains, Moderate, 31 miles.
June 5, Saturday –
Hike first part of trail, camp on trail.
June 6, Sunday –
Hike second part of trail, camp on trail.
June 7, Monday –
Hike last part of trail,
Travel to Lima,
Overnight in Lima.
June 8, Tuesday –
Rest day
Travel to trailhead, camp near trailhead.
Segments 5 – 7, Lima, Montana
Segment 5, Interstate 15 to Bannack (Medicine Lodge) Pass: Beaverhead Mountains of the Bitterroot Range, Moderate, 42 miles.
June 9, Wednesday –
Hike first part of trail, camp on trail.
June 10, Thursday –
Hike second part of trail, camp on trail.
June 11, Friday –
Hike third part of trail, camp on trail.
June 12, Saturday –
Hike fourth part of trail, camp on trail.
June 13, Sunday –
Hike last part of trail,
Rest day, camp near trailhead.
Segment 6, Bannack (Medicine Lodge) Pass to Morrison Lake: Beaverhead Mountains of the Bitterroot Range, Strenuous, 33 miles.
June 14, Monday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
June 15, Tuesday –
Hike second part of segment, camp on trail.
June 16, Wednesday –
Hike last part of segment, camp near trailhead
Segment 7, Morrison Lake to Bannock Pass: Beaverhead Mountains, Moderate, 23 miles.
June 17, Thursday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
June 18, Friday –
Hike last part of segment, camp near trailhead.
Segment 8, Leadore, Idaho
Segment 8, Bannock Pass to Lemhi Pass: Beaverhead Mountains, Moderate, 28 miles.
June 19, Saturday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
June 20, Sunday –
Hike second part of segment, camp on trail.
June 21, Monday –
Hike last part of segment,
Travel to Leadore, overnight in Leadore.
June 22, Tuesday –
Rest day,
Travel to trailhead, camp near trailhead
Segment 9, Tendoy, Idaho
Segment 9, Lemhi Pass to Goldstone Pass: Beaverhead Mountains, Moderate, 20 miles.
June 23, Wednesday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
June 24, Thursday –
Hike last part of segment, camp near trailhead.
Segments 10 & 11, Jackson, Montana
Segment 10, Goldstone Pass to Miner Lakes Trailhead: Beaverhead Mountains of the Bitterroot Range, Moderate, 27 miles.
June 25, Friday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
June 26, Saturday –
Hike second part of segment, camp on trail.
June 27, Sunday –
Hike last part of segment,
Travel to Jackson, overnight in Jackson.
June 28, Monday –
Rest day, overnight in Jackson.
Segment 11, Miner Lakes Trailhead to Big Hole Pass: Beaverhead Mountains of the Bitterroot Range, Strenuous, 33 miles.
June 29, Tuesday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
June 30, Wednesday –
Hike second part of segment, camp on trail.
July 1, Thursday –
Hike last part of segment, camp near trailhead.
Trek Itenerary July 2-31, 2010
Segments 12 – 14, Wisdom, Montana
Segment 12, Big Hole Pass to Chief Joseph Pass: Beaverhead Mountains, Moderate, 17 miles.
July 2, Friday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
July 3, Saturday –
Hike last part of segment,
Travel to Jackson, overnight in Jackson.
July 4, Sunday, Independence Day –
Rest day, overnight in Jackson.
Segment 13, Chief Joseph Pass to Schultz Saddle: Anaconda Range, Easy, 19 miles.
July 5, Monday –
Travel to trailhead,
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
July 6, Tuesday –
Hike last part of segment, camp on trail.
Segment 14, Schultz Saddle to Johnson Lake: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, Moderate, 27 miles.
July 7, Wednesday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
July 8, Thursday –
Hike second part of segment, camp on trail.
July 9, Friday –
Hike last part of segment, camp near trailhead.
July 10, Saturday –
Rest Day.
Segments 15 & 16, Wise River, Montana
Segment 15, Johnson Lake to Lower Seymour Lake: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, Strenuous, 34 miles.
July 11, Sunday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
July 12, Monday –
Hike second part of segment, camp on trail.
July 13, Tuesday –
Hike last part of segment, camp near trailhead.
Segment 16, Lower Seymour Lake to I-15/Deer Lodge Pass: Fleecer Mountain Range, Easy, 46 miles.
July 14, Wednesday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
July 15, Thursday –
Hike second part of segment, camp on trail.
July 16, Friday –
Hike third part of segment, camp on trail.
July 17, Saturday –
Hike last part of trail, camp near trailhead.
July 18, Sunday –
Rest Day.
Segments 17 – 19, Butte, Montana
Segment 17, I-15 Deer Lodge Pass to Homestake Pass: Highland Mountains, Easy 40 miles.
July 19, Monday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
July 20, Tuesday –
Hike second part of segment, camp on trail.
July 21, Wednesday –
Hike last part of trail, camp near trailhead.
Segment 18, Homestake Pass to Interstate 15 at Elk Park, Easy 28 miles.
July 22, Thursday –
Hike first half of segment, camp on trail.
July 23, Friday –
Hike last half of segment, camp near trailhead.
July 24, Saturday –
Rest Day.
Segment 19, Interstate 15 to MacDonald Pass: Boulder Mountains, Moderate 66 miles.
July 25, Sunday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
July 26, Monday –
Hike second part of segment, camp on trail.
July 27, Tuesday –
Hike third part of segment, camp on trail.
July 28, Wednesday –
Hike fourth part of segment, camp on trail.
July 29, Thursday –
Hike fifth part of segment, camp on trail.
July 30, Friday –
Hike last part of segment, camp near trailhead.
July 31, Saturday –
Rest Day.
Segment 12, Big Hole Pass to Chief Joseph Pass: Beaverhead Mountains, Moderate, 17 miles.
July 2, Friday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
July 3, Saturday –
Hike last part of segment,
Travel to Jackson, overnight in Jackson.
July 4, Sunday, Independence Day –
Rest day, overnight in Jackson.
Segment 13, Chief Joseph Pass to Schultz Saddle: Anaconda Range, Easy, 19 miles.
July 5, Monday –
Travel to trailhead,
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
July 6, Tuesday –
Hike last part of segment, camp on trail.
Segment 14, Schultz Saddle to Johnson Lake: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, Moderate, 27 miles.
July 7, Wednesday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
July 8, Thursday –
Hike second part of segment, camp on trail.
July 9, Friday –
Hike last part of segment, camp near trailhead.
July 10, Saturday –
Rest Day.
Segments 15 & 16, Wise River, Montana
Segment 15, Johnson Lake to Lower Seymour Lake: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, Strenuous, 34 miles.
July 11, Sunday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
July 12, Monday –
Hike second part of segment, camp on trail.
July 13, Tuesday –
Hike last part of segment, camp near trailhead.
Segment 16, Lower Seymour Lake to I-15/Deer Lodge Pass: Fleecer Mountain Range, Easy, 46 miles.
July 14, Wednesday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
July 15, Thursday –
Hike second part of segment, camp on trail.
July 16, Friday –
Hike third part of segment, camp on trail.
July 17, Saturday –
Hike last part of trail, camp near trailhead.
July 18, Sunday –
Rest Day.
Segments 17 – 19, Butte, Montana
Segment 17, I-15 Deer Lodge Pass to Homestake Pass: Highland Mountains, Easy 40 miles.
July 19, Monday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
July 20, Tuesday –
Hike second part of segment, camp on trail.
July 21, Wednesday –
Hike last part of trail, camp near trailhead.
Segment 18, Homestake Pass to Interstate 15 at Elk Park, Easy 28 miles.
July 22, Thursday –
Hike first half of segment, camp on trail.
July 23, Friday –
Hike last half of segment, camp near trailhead.
July 24, Saturday –
Rest Day.
Segment 19, Interstate 15 to MacDonald Pass: Boulder Mountains, Moderate 66 miles.
July 25, Sunday –
Hike first part of segment, camp on trail.
July 26, Monday –
Hike second part of segment, camp on trail.
July 27, Tuesday –
Hike third part of segment, camp on trail.
July 28, Wednesday –
Hike fourth part of segment, camp on trail.
July 29, Thursday –
Hike fifth part of segment, camp on trail.
July 30, Friday –
Hike last part of segment, camp near trailhead.
July 31, Saturday –
Rest Day.
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