WFO50+ - Continental Divide Trail Journal - 2019

(Click image for full size)


 

Journal Entry

9-16

Going to the Sunn Road to Gunsight Pass and back 17 miles

With a couple of extra days left, I decided to hike to Gunsight Pass. SlowBro and Nancy were kind enough to drip me off at daybreak at the trailhead with the nearly full moon.

I went quickly down the trail to Reynolds Creek where I had camped on the section hike. As I passed the camp area I heard a noise in that direction which I thought was campers. When I looked over, it was a bull and cow moose eating. They looked at me and me at them. I got a picture and moved on as not to disturb them.

It was a nice hike up to Gunsight Lake where there is another backcountry camp area. There are good views of Jackson and Blackfoot glacier on the way. It was a particularly clear day so the sun was creating early morning shadows and reflections off the glacial ice.

I arrived at Gunsight Lake to get a good look at the climb to the pass and I started up. There were several switchbacks and two false summits. The views behind me of the St Mary River valley and the Going to the Sun and Goat Mountain where fabulous in the morning sun.

As I approached the pass I saw a mountain goat above me on a rock outcropping. He just looked at me and then went on his way. At the pass there was a stone hut designed to get out of the weather. Where was that when the wind was 100 mph? The winds were back to normal and I had a leisurely snack on the sunny side of the pass. The was a nice view of Lake Ellen Wilson on the west side of the pass.

On the way back down I talked with several groups of overnight backpackers headed to Lake Ellen Wilson. I had plenty of time to catch the 5:30 shuttle back to East Glacier so I was in no hurry to get to the trailhead. I took the GTTS shuttle to St Mary which was reportedly not running. Apparently there is confusion about when the various park services end.

I spent some time at the St Mary visitor center and using the free wifi before taking the shuttle to East Glacier. I rode rhe shuttle with two women who worked at the lodge, one from Lithuania and the other from Spain. It was great to hear their stories from the season.

I stayed at Brownies cabin and scored some free pizza from a couple at the store. It was a great day in the park!

Entry 58 of 58
First  :: Previous  :: Next :: Last