Day 95 Cedar Camp

25.6 miles

Today saw mixed trail surfaces right through the day, initially on forest service road before turning  into old logging roads grassed over and then onto single track which seemed to mainly be used by mountain bikers heading down from near Big Sky. 

While I seemed to be heading uphill, bikers were headed down. I came across a couple, scaring the crap out who thought I was a bear at first given the fresh pile of griz poop he had just riden past. The sudden movement obscured by the trees saw him loudly calling ‘Hey bear’ and reaching for his spray as we both rounded a corner. His mate, further up the track has lost the axle from his rear wheel and was hiking his bike out. I would later find the axle at the top of the hill at start of the trail after a super steep and tough climb up. 

It was a relief to finally reach the top of the hill after an exhausting climb. From here I had the option to hike out towards Big Sky, taking an additional couple of days on trail or continue on my selected route. I stuck with my original line following along a snowmobile path across open grassland. 

Late in the day I hit a completely unmaintained section of trail with hundreds of wind fall trees, having to scramble around and over them, adding yet more scratches and a few more scars to my bare legs. 

I think one of the greatest aspects of this alternate route is the unknown and not really knowing what lay ahead. With no app data to rely on for advice on what trail conditions would be, not knowing if streams are flowing or what the quality of water is like; and not having any information on available camping sites, I get to just explore and find out along the way. The sense of real adventure. 

Beyond this poorly maintained section an immediate transition in the opposite direction came on meeting and following the Cedar Creek Loop Trail, which changed into beautifully groomed and maintained trail. This was very close to the Yellowstone Club property, a private ski club, and I wasn’t quite sure of the land tenure. I did not know if I was on private land with access rights along the trail or in public National Forest. 

Either way I was aiming for Cedar Camp for the night and would look for a protected site under tree cover. 

On approaching Cedar Camp I could see some timber structures and was hoping there might be a shelter of some type I could use. Unfortunately the structures turned out to be platforms for large group tents that are obviously utilised during the winter snows. Associated infrastructure including trestle tables, tent poles and a toilet were all on site but all tied down and locked up. There was a bear box as well which I thought would be great as there was a giant grizzly poop right in the middle of the camp but it too was padlocked. This all had me questioning the land status again. How can all this gear be allowed to remain on site and be locked up in a National Forest if it was private gear. 

It was too late in the day to move on and too remote to be hassled by any Yellowstone Club people who may want to enforce any trespass rules so I discreetly set up my tent and settled in for the night.