The Bob Marshall Wilderness

Augusta to East Glacier (9/28-10/2): 120 Miles

This last month has felt like we are constantly entering and finishing a race. We get to the trailhead after a hundred or so miles, which feels like a short term finish line. Then we’re in town (resupply, eat, laundry, call home, plan logistics, relax!?, sleep, eat one more time), then back to the start line. We haven’t taken a “zero day” since Dubois, WY (8/20)!

After enjoying the town of Augusta (the bartender let me drive her ATV to the post office + Gary, our hitch back to trail, showed us his cozy MT cabin in the woods), we entered the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Lots of talk on trail from fellow hikers about this segment of the CDT.

Though on the CDT red line, we weren’t exactly on the divide (like usual) and were more down in the valley. The trail allowed us to cruise through our miles and have bigger mileage days - a benefit for us as the days have been getting shorter. Hiker midnight has definitely changed from 9pm to 8pm these last few weeks.

Our 4 night/5 day run had rain in the forecast with pockets of sun, and that’s exactly what we got. Trying to stay as dry as possible, I used Ziploc bags to keep my gloves from getting drenched.

We luckily got to view the Chinese Wall while the sun was shining. The wall towered over us as we hiked right below it, staring at it for the miles as it continued on.

River crossings were fine at first, but became more difficult. Starting with glorious foot bridges, to rock hopping, to failed crossing attempts with ending in the river, our feet remained wet throughout this segment. The water was cold - both from the rain from the sky as well as the water from the fluent rivers and creeks. The understory of the forest held onto all the rain, making us feel like we were walking through a constant car wash from the waist to our toes.

The Bob wasn’t as remote as I was expecting - we saw several US Forest Service folks finishing up their projects for the season, hunters and people horse/mule riding. We even saw a ranger station wrapped up to protect it from potential fire risk. Ptarmigans continued to startle us as they abruptly flapped off the trail, and we saw several grizzly bear tracks + scat filled with berries.

We are seeing the benefits of being on this trail during fall, as autumn’s bloom is in full effect. The colors have been incredible to cast our eyes upon, and we feel we’re right where we need to be.

Back to the start line one last time. We are just 90 miles away from the finish and will be in Glacier National Park our remaining 4 nights!! Here we go!!!