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Sep 2, 2017. Wind River Reservation, WY
Stopped at mile 6.1, Cirque of the Towers: Another SOBO persuaded me that the official route was not easy to follow, lots of blowdowns. So, 5 of official and 6 of alt = 11 miles. To Pole Creek: 45 miles.
Gorgeous walk up wide river valley, spires and cliffs on East side, clear weather. Fabulous.
2017 CDT Wind River mountains .MOVSep 3, 2017. Cirque of the Towers, WY
Met Jill near Jackass Pass. Home is in Pinedale. Hiked Texas Pass as well, camping by Texas Lake.
Very tough trail: slippery, boulders, gravel, steep. Fell a few times, but nothing serious.
Filmed dogs (including a puppy) crossing a river.
Stopped at Cirque of the Towers mile 16.7. Total miles 10.6. Ouch!
To do: 21.4 - 16.7 + 1852.9 - 1824.2 = 4.7 + 28.2 = 32.9 miles. But such beautiful scenery!
2017 CDT Dogs crossing bridge.MOV
Sep 4, 2017
Stopped at CDT 1837. So did 21.4 - 16.7 = 4.7 on Cirque, and 1837 - 1824 = 13 on CDT => 17.7 total.
To do: 1852 - 1837 = 15 on CDT.
Long, easy, flat day, beside valley with meandering streams. Hazy all day: forest fires up north? But no smoke smell.
Sep 5, 2017. Waterton Valley, WY
Stopped at 1852: 15 miles, plus some on trail to parking lot. Should get there mid-day tomorrow.
Lakes, rock cliffs, small passes, some wet river crossings.
2017 CDT Dogs crossing bridge.MOVSep 7, 2017. Pinedale, WY
75 years old! And staying with a lovely couple in Pinedale: Jill & Lat Straley. I met her on the trail a few days ago, near Jackass Lake, where she was camping with a bunch of girl friends. I offered to take their picture, and not-so-subtly told them my plans: Jill immediately offered to put me up at her place (the girl friends looked a little shocked).
The last night before hiking off the trail (10 miles), and hitching into town (15 miles) was coldest yet: frost and dew, hands REALLY cold for first two hours. Must buy mittens! Never saw so many lakes & streams - and lots of hikers, too. Still overcast from fires in Montana
Glacier Park mostly closed. Good time to get out before the first winter storms hit.
Next stop: Lava Mt. Lodge, mile 1940.2. (6 mile hitch). Hiway 287/26 (east or CDT). 1940.2 - 1856.6 = 83.6 miles + 10 = 6-7 days.
Lava Mt. Lodge to Old Faithful Village: 2042.0 - 1940.2 = 101.8 miles.
or to Grant Village: 2016.9 - 1940.2 = 76.7 miles.
Conor Raney: ride to trailhead (?)
Arrival at Yellowstone around September 22.
On my birthday, I walked to town, had the “Friday Fajita” at a Mexican restaurant, then a pint of Cherry Garcia ice cream; then a haircut and beard trim. When I returned “home”, Lat and Jill sang Happy Birthday to me, and gave me a piece of chocolate cake.
Went to Brewery with Lat, but chickened out on getting everybody to sing Happy Birthday to me for beer: the crowd was 90% single guys, not really in a party mood.
2017 CDT Sam walking.MOVNotice how I start by hiking backwards? A sure sign of a setup.
2017 CDT Lat and Jill singing.MOV
Sep 8, 2017. Pinedale, WY
Just took it easy, hung out with Lat, Jill, their 4 dogs and 2 cats. Conor was so far off his schedule that I canceled his ride offer to the trailhead and enjoyed one last night in a real bed.
Sep 9, 2017. Waterton Valley, WY
Up early, quick and coffee, then Jill drove me to the trailhead: hiking again, beginning at 7:15 AM. Got back to the CDT by 3 then hiked until 6:15.
Lovely lakes, rock outcroppings, mountains in the distance. Even though yesterday was a total whiteout because of the smoke from the fires further north, today began with blue skies and clear vistas, gradually clouding up by afternoon.
Stopped at CDT 1856, so hiked 10 + 1856-1852 = 14 miles.
Next stop: Lava Mt. Lodge, mile 1940.2 (plus 6 mile hitch): 84 miles to go.
Then Old Faithful Village, mile 2042.
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