3 Highlights:
- Morning by Ennis Lake with birds singing.
- Swimming at a high-altitude lake.
- Bessy’s comment on social media.
Daily Summary:
- Distance hiked: 47 km (according to iPhone, but 3-4 km in the wrong direction)
- Starting point: Ennis Lake (bird paradise)
- Ending point: N45.38…/W 111.44…
- Weather conditions: Hot
Daily Reflections (challenges, insights, musings):
The day began beautifully at Ennis Lake, surrounded by the delightful sounds of birds basking in the morning sun. Feeling energized, I set off, knowing I had a significant climb ahead—from 1500 meters to 2800 meters. The first two hours covered 12 km, but I hadn’t thoroughly read the instructions on my app. I quickly realized I was off track by 750 meters. After backtracking, I discovered I had to bushwhack for 2 km between certain points. Let me add to the equation that even after many thousands of kilometers hiking in nature I am still not very comfortable with the bushwack. Just the name is unpleasant. Someone is expected to wack you in the head with a bush…and it mostly happens just like that.
Trying to follow this bushwacking “trail” was stressful, constantly checking my phone and adjusting my route. I found myself switching back and forth along cow trails, eventually going 80% of the way up the mountain before mistakenly heading down, only to realize my error once I was back to where I started. This blunder was both frustrating and exhausting, sapping my energy and morale.
Determined to avoid further missteps, I decided to trust the visible trails on my map, which were much longer but straightforward. To a degree that is. The trail I was betting for didn’t go all the way. On the map it stopped a kilometer before my planned Big Sky-route. I took the chance and it paid off. Just as I reached the trail more or less where the previous bushwack would have ended I saw a scary sight – an enormous Texas Longhorn bull dead flat on its belly. Note that this is grizzly country and I was sure a brown monster was lurking around because the smell of death was strong. I hiked quickly onwards with my tail between my legs. This whole climb drained me mentally, but a swim in a high-altitude lake later on revitalized me.
As night fell around 9 PM, I set up camp, eager for tomorrow – Big Sky Ski Resort. Charging my batteries, buying hot food, and resupplying are on the agenda. Despite today’s misadventures, I ended with a renewed sense of determination.
Ennis lake in the morning
Ennis Lake from above
Dead cow = scared hiker
Natural swimming pool
Evening water refill and beutiful wild flowers
Camp up high