Posted by 24.5 miles
This would be day two alternative route towards Butte.
The morning saw all road walking to navigate around the unfordable McKenzie River that was just too deep, too wide and with a raging current. It was a mix of gravel and bitumen roads.
There margin on the side of the main bitumen road, Highway 287, was too narrow to walk in the direction of traffic. Walk towards traffic was much safer with drivers a me to see me and if they didn’t I’d see them and have to time to react. With each approaching vehicle I had to move off the narrow verge into a gutter. Most drivers were curtious and would move across into the opposite lane if they had the chance even though I’d moved well out the way. Some, mostly tourists from West Yellowstone would just keep wizzing by. For a few, I think it was a sport to see how close they could get to share the shit out of me, hitting the rumble strip on the outside of the road.
After seven and half mile of playing Frogger it was great to finally turn off the bitumen onto another forest service road. This one would lead me to a trail head to get back onto single track in another 4 miles.
It seemed to take forever to reach the end of the road with a slow, menotenous plod slowly uphill. I was cooked by the time I reached the trailhead and needed lunch.
Falling in a heap in the nearest available shade, a couple of back packers just returning to their cars after a weekend jaunt, offered me a cold soda and powerade from their awiating cooler. I accepted both graciously. They also offered a cold beer and for the first time I actually declined feeling that it would dehydrate me too much in the afternoon heat.
The second half of the day saw me on single track along the Lightning Lake Trail, mainly utilised by horse riding, but single track nonetheless. Again I was amazed at the level of maintenance and real clearing of downed trees. So much better than the maintenance of the CDT.
The trail climbed uphill on a gradual grade which was perfect with lungs and legs not really feeling the incline. Heat was the main enemy again today. Along the way I passed a group of real cowboys all kitted up in chaps, 10 gallon hats, six shooters and lassos. When they asked where I’d come from and where I was headed they couldn’t believe it.
This remainder of this trail lead out into private property with a public access easement along a road and camping wouldn’t be an option here so I kept hiking until reaching the next section of single track. Unfortunately all the areas off to the sides were unsuited for a tent and I had to keep hiking out to the next trailhead at Taylors Falls. It was early evening and I was done for the done. I was able to find cushioned ground beneath the cover of young pines just big enough to accommodate my tent.
Mick Beckers 