Condensation is on everything again! Ack! I pack up anyways. It’s a steep climb first thing in the morning and I want to get a jump on it while it’s still cool out.

I’m one of the first on the hill but I’m soon passed by Brains excited to get into town.

It’s a crazy steep climb! Strait up. No switchbacks. Lots of loose gravel. But it’s beautiful.

I’m impressed with how fast Brains makes it up to the top. “See ya at the bar!” He hollers and is gone.

I catch up to Professor calmly having his morning coffee with a view as more town hungry hikers zoom by.

Professor has some family in Helena that have invited him to stay at their house! They’ve been nice enough to extend the offer to me too! I feel super super fortunate.

Most of the other hikers will be stopping in Lincoln later today but Professor and I are hiking two more days to meet up with his folks.

I crest the top of the climb and head down to a spring. Phew! Nice cold water on trail.

The rest of a big group charges past, excited to get to town.

Speak EZ catches up to us just as we’re passing under some power lines. Professor shows us a neat science experiment demonstrating electrical charges in the air underneath the power lines. While standing under them, hold out your trecking pole by the insulated handle, then with your other hand lightly touch a finger to the metal pole. You’ll feel a slight electrical buzz. It’s kinda scary, not gonna lie. But also pretty cool.

Speak Easy hikes on, he’s not even stopping for town! He’s just going straight through, he’s able to hike that far and fast. Impressive.

We cross over the freeway that leads to Lincoln and take a quick lunch break to dry out our gear.

The trail greets us with more hills. Phew! I’m tired. A young hiker called Crush catches up to us. His pack is incredibly small! I would say the size of 3 loaves of bread? Probably the most ultra light set up I’ve seen yet. Crazy! He takes a short break with us in the shade before zooming off. So fast!

Professor and I push on. Another hiker called Forest catches up to us. He kinda looks like Forest Gump haha. Great trail name.

It’s another long-ish stretch without water and the next source is down a road close to the campsite.

I hike ahead with hopes of setting up my tent and dropping my pack before the road walk. The camping area is already packed with hikers! There’s not much space. I opt for the horse hitch. There’s a bunch of dried old horse poop… maybe that will prevent condensation? Fingers crossed.

I head down the road to get water. Professor is heading back up and lends me his coffee cup to scoop water. Thank you!

Back at camp I start to make dinner when Professor’s family surprises us with the nicest trail magic! Gatoraid, water, grapes, chocolate, nuts, and frozen wine?

All the hikers look so happy! What an amazing end to a hard day. Thank you so so much Jim and Pam!