So. The tent spot was more slanted than I had thought…

That’s always how it works. You look at a spot and your eyes are like, yeah that’s kinda flat. That should do.

Then you get in your tent and you can’t stop sliding to one side.

I basically was wrapped around the tree trunk all night haha

But I some how got decent sleep!

The morning hike was just gorgeous through old moss covered trees, the early sunlight casting beams of light between their branches into the green grass dotted with wild flowers.

Today is maybe a big water carry, depending on if some of the sources are still good. Some of them have dried up according to the FarOut comments.

We have a spring off trail flagged as our next source. If that doesn’t work out it’s a 20 mile waterless stretch. I carry a lot of extra water today just incase. Almost 4 liters. My pack is heavy but I feel strong from the rest at Jim and Pam’s house. And it’s mostly dirt road hiking today with rolling elevation.

Dirt road walks aren’t so bad, I don’t have to watch my feet as closely. I have cell service and give Doug and my sister Yvonne a call while I walk.

A man on an atv passes by. We chat, he asks where I started from and if I need anything. People here are so nice! I’m all set, he drives off.

I pass Professor taking his morning coffee on a beautiful hill overlooking the countryside. Man early morning hiking is the best.

I continue on. I come to a dirt road that leads off trail to our unlisted water source. It’s a cattle watering tub and it’s full of water! Hooray! I paint while I filter water.

Professor arrives, gets water and heads out while I battle with my paints.

This was a tough one! But I think I got the wild flowers okay.

The road is exposed but thankfully it’s cool out!

I pass Professor again and see two other hikers in the distance.

I’m going to catch them. I put on some speed. I’ve almost caught up!

There’s a bend in the road. I start to round it when I see them hiking back towards me. I’m super confused. Am I off trail?

We all pause and look at our maps as a group. Their Farout is different than mine! We spend some minutes puzzling when Professor walks up. His maps show the trail going randomly left at 90 degree angle off the dirt road into the tall grass and over some logs.

The others observe that someone had placed a stick arrow pointing that direction…. I guess this is the way?

I’m glad the hikers ahead of me had figured it out or I would have blown right past this turn and kept hiking the road, down a big hill. Then I’d realize I’m off trail and would have had to hike back up said hill. Phew! Dodged that bullet.

Professor and I hike together. There are many downed trees and the trail is super uneven. We eventually break into a clearing and pause for lunch.

I try out my new solar panel!

I’ve been using my phone to call people while I hike so the battery is low. It goes from 21% to 31% in the span of our lunch break. Amazing!

We hike on and get separated. I find a local country station on my SanDisc radio player. All the songs are about ice cold beer! I’ve never wanted a cold one so bad in my life haha

I fasten the solar charger onto my pack so I can charge my phone while I hike.

The trail goes through some gorgeous pastures,

then into some woods.

The dead trees are really scary. Lots of widow makes. I’m extra vigilant.

At a junction I check my maps. I see a comment from another hiker in the FarOut App: “I dare you to take the bridge.”

I don’t see what they’re referencing… I wonder what that’s all about…

Then suddenly, emerging from the trees as I walk is a massive old wooden mining bridge, completely falling apart yet still incredibly impressive. I imagine trying to walk across it and there are no good endings to any of the scenarios.

What a cool structure though! It’s not marked on any of my maps and was a complete surprise.

The trail continues to meander through the forest. I pass the spring that has dried up, I check my water in my pack and I’m doing good.

We come to a turn off point, Priest Pass.

There is a trail closure coming up after Helena. One of the alternates has people walking a few miles on a highway. Professor and I agree to try going around that, an alternate to the alternate if you will.

This option has us going down a quiet dirt road instead of a busy highway. I’m very happy to avoid walking on the highway.

Scraps (one of the geologists) messaged Professor ahead of time that they had done this alternate to the alternate and that is was good and had water! Thank you so much Scraps!

We hike the Priest Pass and last 6 miles down to the freeway and find some cute mules near a turn off.

I have cell service and manage to get us an Uber into town.

Doug called ahead and got me a hotel room near the post office! Yay thank you Doug!

I shower and meet Professor. We had wanted to take Jim and Pam out to dinner but we got to town too late so we make plans to take them out to breakfast tomorrow instead.

I’m able to order an ice cold beer at a local bar! Yessss so good!

I head back to my room while Professor does shopping for resupply. I have a box at the post office I’ll get in the morning.

The hotel I’m staying at is under construction and I can’t figure out how to get the laundry to work.

One of the hotel staff helps me figure it out. Thank you! She leaves then suddenly ALL of the machines start running… it’s chaotic haha

Oops! I guess the adventures don’t stop, even when you’re off trail haha

Belly full, showered, laundered and my beer craving satisfied, today was a good day.