Highlights:
- Puma sighting.
- Red Dawg found.
- Reunion with James and Judd.
- An apple from Annie.
- Tammy’s stories.
Daily Summary:
- Distance hiked: Approx. 15-20 km
- Starting point: Double Falls
- Ending point: Dearborn River
- Weather conditions: Hot
Daily Reflections (challenges, insights, musings):
Today was a mixed bag of emotions and events, much like any other day on the trail, but with a few extra twists. It started with Tammy, who could fill a book with her tales from Montana. At the age of eight, she had a gun and was out all night as a small child, only to be found by her dad the next day. Her granddaddy showed her how to walk into a herd of elk, and her mum once walked back with a puma, thinking it was her dog. These stories made me feel like I was living in a different era, one where nature and humanity were intertwined in the most unexpected ways.
Tammy’s grandson’s dog, Red Dawg, had been missing for five days but was seen around Benchmark. Too Late and I joined Tammy in screaming for Red Dawg, hoping for a happy ending. Two other dogs were lost as well. Despite some sightings, we had to head to the trailhead to check if it was open. Fire season has officially begun. The forest people at Straight Creek directed me to Double Falls, cutting off 25 km of trail. Annie, with her four-wheeler, and her man Doug, took me to Double Falls, gifting me a much-appreciated apple.
Starting from Double Falls, I didn’t think much at the trailhead. I just started walking, nervously making my way through 7 km of private property, fearing a shoot-first-ask-later encounter. After what felt like an eternity, I finally rejoined the CDT at 7 PM.
Setting my sights on reaching the Dearborn River, I was startled by a puma halfway there. Beautiful and terrifying, it slipped away before I could get a clear shot on my camera. As the day wound down, I received the most heartwarming message from Tammy: Red Dawg had been found.
Reflecting on the day, it’s clear that the trail is as much about the people you meet and the stories they share as it is about the miles you hike.
Fire fighting helicopter
Puma country
Scape Goat Wilderness boundry
